I woke up to snow...

[silkiechicken]

Driving is going to be interesting. Word on the home front is that my dad's normally 10 min commute 5 miles to work is 60+ minutes in Everett... and the chickens are days away from being out of layer rations... just 50 lb bag of corn to hold them over... I was going to be bringing food up with me sat... but who knows if I can even get out of here.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I live in West Michigan, and 3-4" of snow is basically laughed at anywhere in the city. We have a whole army of plows because there is no question about getting dumped on by lake-effect snow pretty much every winter. It takes a good fall of at the very least 6" to start closing city schools -- and then, it has to fall with perfect timing so that the plows can't get it all off the highways before 7 am. All the kids walk to school, pretty much, so no one worries about bussing or dangerous roads.

This Friday, we actually have a minimum of 8-10" predicted, so I am thinking we just might get our first school closure of the year. That would be convenient because it's the eve of our winter break for the holidays.

I'm the couch potato meteorologist at school, so everyone is always e-mailing me for radar maps and other info when the TV weathermen start hyping about a big snowfall.

The keys to driving in snow are:

(1) Reduce your speed -- by a lot. Don't overcorrect your steering if the car starts to fishtail; be gentle even if instinct tells you otherwise.

(2) Assume that it will take longer to get yourself started at intersections, so don't take chances and wait for a large opening before making turns.

(3) Stay in your lane in plowed/cleared areas. Deep snow on the edge of a ditch will drag your car right down into it.

(4) Don't follow other people too closely.

(5) Don't take unnecessary risks; if you end up in the ditch, you're probably going to be waiting a LONG time for any police or tow trucks (Murphy's Law says there will be 20 people who went in the ditch before you). Make sure to keep a blanket and extra snacks and drinks in your car just in case.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
Oh yeah-my sister used to live on Capitol Hill. She still lives in Seattle-they get hit hard by this stuff.

It has more to do with the fact the road outside our condo was a 25% slope.

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
All good advice, it's amazing how fast it comes back to you when you start driving on it. Our issue at the moment is not snow, snow would at least give us traction. The problem is freezing rain, temps that thaw the roads just a bit during the day then turn it to sheer ICE overnight. Right now things are freezing up again, so we have a nice layer of water over the ice. It's just nasty. The best advice for dealing with wet ice (I remember it from my years in MI) is to enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa in front of the fire.

Silkie, you will probably be fine once you get on I5, just make sure you have chains and don't leave too early in the morning and make sure to get your Dutch Bros in town so you don't have to get off the interstate for a coffee emergency

. 34 should be pretty clear. Honestly, looking at our forecast it's supposed to be nasty all next week, so if we put off traveling for a day or so it looks like we'll be stuck with bad weather anyway.

 

[greyfields]

And the Lord said "BRING FORTH THE FREEZING RAIN".

 

[silkiechicken]

LOL

Driving in the fresh snow wasn't so bad. What was bad was when it gets to just above freezing every day and the road is a slick shiny sheet of freshly laid ice as soon as the sun falls

Chains... yeah... about those.... that's my problem. >.<

Car not meant for snow, tire profile just low enough that cable chains are pretty much the only option.... and... I don't have any for the current tires. LOL Car is going to stay here more likely than not. Hopefully I can find someone with a garage I can stash it in for 2 weeks. Taking the CRV up.

 

[greyfields]

I went to get my sandbags out of hte barn to find the geese had thoroughly eaten them. So, we had to take the Camry with front wheel drive. It probably handled better than the pickup.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I didn't go to work today but worked from home. Snow... yuck. The last time it snowed (Jan) my commute went from a 60 minute bus drive to a 5 hour bladder-busting endurance test on the bus.

I had stayed home that day, too!

My coworkers gave me a tough time until they had to endure 3-hour commutes to go about 15-20 miles.

 

[shmooborp]

snow all gone

but its sopose to come back soon

 

[nhchickmom]

We have been getting our fair share of snow here, got to love it though......for the skiing of course! I teach and I have already had 2 delays and one closing. Nothing beats a snow day, plus my dog and chickens love it!