***Official 2021 Weather Thread***

 
May I ask the experts when they guess thr yuck of rain/snow/ice mix might start being a problem Saturday morning?
 
  • Like
Reactions: cyfanatic
So a good snowblower costs $1,000 brand new. Let’s say you use it 5 times a year on average and it lasts you 15 winters. $1,000/75 total uses = $13.33 per use. I’ll just keep shoveling :)

If you have an ounce of mechanical knowledge the last thing you do is buy new crap. I’ve never spent more than $1-200 for big 8-10hp 2 stage snowblowers because people don’t do maintenance and they don’t run right. New spark plug and clean out the carb and it runs like a top. Right now I’ve got a Cub Cadet 9hp 28” monster on tracks with steering clutch so you can steer the dumb thing. It cost someone $1,500 4-5 yrs ago but I bot it for $170 and put another $25 into it and that thing will last me forever now.
 
If you have an ounce of mechanical knowledge the last thing you do is buy new crap. I’ve never spent more than $1-200 for big 8-10hp 2 stage snowblowers because people don’t do maintenance and they don’t run right. New spark plug and clean out the carb and it runs like a top. Right now I’ve got a Cub Cadet 9hp 28” monster on tracks with steering clutch so you can steer the dumb thing. It cost someone $1,500 4-5 yrs ago but I bot it for $170 and put another $25 into it and that thing will last me forever now.
I would respect you as a neighbor..
 
If you have an ounce of mechanical knowledge the last thing you do is buy new crap. I’ve never spent more than $1-200 for big 8-10hp 2 stage snowblowers because people don’t do maintenance and they don’t run right. New spark plug and clean out the carb and it runs like a top. Right now I’ve got a Cub Cadet 9hp 28” monster on tracks with steering clutch so you can steer the dumb thing. It cost someone $1,500 4-5 yrs ago but I bot it for $170 and put another $25 into it and that thing will last me forever now.
This is so true. Even of the engine is completely shot you can buy another new engine for $200-$400 and replace the whole thing by loosening the belt and removing 4 bolts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cyclonesrule91
Sounds like it will stay east of I35 for the most part.

Thinking the city of Ames wants to make sure people get there exercise. The had a city pickup with a plow on it going up and down the street yesterday. I mean all the were doing was moving all the snow to the ends of people’s empty driveways. Seemed like a waste of time and money on their part since it was already cleared.
 
Who is spending $1000 on a new snowblower?
I don't think you want to know how much I spent on it... :oops::oops: but the days we have strong winds out of the NW it is worth every penny. Every other time though, it is complete over kill I admit.
 
So I’m seeing temps for Ames that the NWS said is a steady 31 degrees, but not in the 4-8 inch range like CR. So what’s anticipated then freezing rain/snow with no rain? Rain for Des Moines mostly?
 
So I’m seeing temps for Ames that the NWS said is a steady 31 degrees, but not in the 4-8 inch range like CR. So what’s anticipated then freezing rain/snow with no rain? Rain for Des Moines mostly?

Last I heard there is still some disagreement between some of the major models. Signs point to rain turning to snow for Des Moines, overall snow totals will be impacted by how early that conversion happens.
 
So I’m seeing temps for Ames that the NWS said is a steady 31 degrees, but not in the 4-8 inch range like CR. So what’s anticipated then freezing rain/snow with no rain? Rain for Des Moines mostly?

Some snow on the backside of the system. Some freezing rain as well(plain rain further south).

Ames is far enough north and west it's not going to get as much precip as Cedar Rapids though.