It's Snowpocalypse 2008! Some of us are stuck at work, forced (through stubborn will or need of a paycheck) to make the treacherous trek despite conditions. Others either opted to or were compelled by mounds of snow to stay in. Whatever the case, we want you to share your snow day stories with dane101! Post harrowing tales, links to photos, whatever.

Your faithful substitute editor-at-large is holed up inside her apartment, recently returned from a hiking adventure to the market to obtain sustenance for the day (in olden times, I'd be the first dead for lack of pre-planning for such events--thank goodness for shoveled sidewalks!).

Update: the city has announced that there will not be a snow emergency tonight.

It looks like we're due for some serious weather this week. The city is waiting to assess the fallout before deciding whether to declare a snow emergency. If you park on the street, be sure to check the city's web site or call the parking hotline at 608-261-9111 before you go to bed.

This morning, after 9 inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain have already dropped, after state emergency officials urged drivers to stay off roadways, after the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning and now a Snow Emergency, after it's inevitable that at least 5 inches more is on it's way, some businesses still feel that they have the right to risk their employees' lives by making them drive in undrivable weather to get to work.

What gives them the right? Business can't make you juggle knives, or stick your head in the fan, or drink liquid Drano--but yet, you driving in this weather and risking your life and property as well as others?

That's just fine.

A little bit of thoughtfulness and common sense will take any reasonable human being to the exact same decision: Businesses should either be completely closed today or at the very least, employees that have decided not to drive in this dangerous weather should not be punished by having to use vacation or sick time. It's not just about what is out there now, but also, what is on the way.

The City of Madison has declared its first Snow Emergency of the year.

On June 9th, the lake’s swells overtopped County Highway A along the northeastern section of Lake Delton after a weekend of heavy storms. I watched as it was happening, staring at the television in my second-story apartment in Madison, with just fifty miles between me and the breach. The houses dangled and then tipped into the water as the earth beneath them gave way. Newscasters in polo shirts and fishing waders pointed out to middle the temporary river as a home took off downstream headed toward the Wisconsin. Less than four hours later, Lake Delton was gone.

When asked if they were open, the dispatcher at Union Cab said "we're pretty much closed unless you're going to the emergency room." Badger Cab didn't answer after three minutes on hold.

Below: a deserted East Johnson Street, as drivers wisely stay home.

UPDATE/BREAKING:Judging from the amount of snow we are seeing, we are going to be the first (second?) to declare the record broken.

According to Weather Central grandmaster of weather Bob Lindmeier Madison will set an all-time snowfall record sometime tomorrow.

Join the discussion here.