On Wednesday we noted with some amusement that the “historic” winter blizzard that’s set to slam the east coast had been upgraded to a “potentially epic winter blockbuster.”
The best thing about “potentially epic winter blockbusters” is that they pave the way for “potentially epic” weather scapegoating from the BES, who last year learned that the American public (not to mention the market) is apparently fine accepting double-adjusted GDP data.
With the weather punditry’s hyperbole knob turned all the way up to eleven, the BEA has all the PR cover it needs to whip out triple seasonal adjustments and "calculate" that Q1 GDP did not really contract but when you melt the snow on a pro forma, "non-GAAP" basis, GDP likely grew by some $50 billion or more.
Well as the storm rolls in and promises to blanket the northeast in two feet of economic activity crushing snow and ice, we get a look at the “potentially epic” system from space and it’s, well, epic.
As for all of the retailers who just three months ago blamed abysmal performance on warm weather, they'll now be completely free to reverse course and pin any upcoming comps misses on the "winter blockbuster" shown above.
Due to the impending snow storm some of our stores will be closed. Please call your local store before heading out. #jonas
— The Vitamin Shoppe (@VitaminShoppe) January 22, 2016
Please note that our M Street, Shaw, and Buckhead stores will be closed for the remainder of the day due to the storm!
— Warby Parker (@WarbyParker) January 22, 2016
As of right now our stores will be closed tomorrow due to the storm! We will keep you updated today of we close early.
— Fat Jacks BBQ Philly (@FatJacksbbqblvd) January 22, 2016
Winter Storm Warning: Due to Inclement weather the Asheville and Biltmore Park CityMac stores will be closed. Be safe and enjoy the snow!
— CityMac (@CityMacTweets) January 22, 2016
Please note:
Due to the impending snow storm, all stores will be closing at 1 pm today Jan. 22 and will be closed tomorrow Saturday Jan. 23
— Cabinet Discounters (@CabinetDiscntrs) January 22, 2016
As you can see, everyone from "Fat Jack" to cabinet discounters are closing up shop ahead of the blizzard.
Meanwhile, panicked shoppers have turned grocery stores into a bad day in Caracas:
The snow has started, and the milk shelves are empty in DC pic.twitter.com/kinKiLpaIa
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) January 22, 2016
Grocery store shelves are empty as mid-Atlantic residents brace for heavy snow, ice: https://t.co/PediOQjLsw pic.twitter.com/mNyHFGEJNy
— FB Newswire (@fbnewswire) January 22, 2016
We have 1/2 inch of snow and shelves are empty! 2-3 feet predicted for VA on Friday, but it's snowing now. #snowshop pic.twitter.com/zIAgUvM9Mv
— beckyblanton (@beckyblanton) January 21, 2016
A solid inch of snow and empty grocery shelves in preparation for this weekend's blizzard. #OldTown @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/ZrCymy07WT
— Lisa Bosley (@bosley_lisa) January 21, 2016
Want salad with your snow? Too bad! Empty shelves at L and 5th Downtown DC. #blizzard2016 @OhMyGOFF @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/X8Nfs3ZHbm
— Rob Long (@rivanlo) January 22, 2016
Nicolas Maduro would be proud.