Snowmaggeddon Looms upon Us, Yet Again.

[sexobon]

While living in San Antonio, I found it hilarious that the city was paralyzed with even major highways being closed after just a couple inches of snowfall. Having learned to drive in the upper Midwest, I had traveled in worse conditions on motorcycle.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by sexobon

While living in San Antonio, I found it hilarious that the city was paralyzed with even major highways being closed after just a couple inches of snowfall. Having learned to drive in the upper Midwest, I had traveled in worse conditions on motorcycle.

I saw that in Charlotte, NC, too. Less than 1.5 inches and all the resources in the county were busy trying to keep I-95 moving, so the rest of the roads weren't plowed and sanded which caused everyone to stay home. I was scratching my head as to why they would plow 1.5 inches.

We were working at a plant that employed maybe 250 people, and when we got there(in our rentals with regular tires), it was us and a handful of managers. Now granted, there were probably some helping the old lady next door, taking care of business, or just sledding with the kids. But talking to them later, quite a few admitted snow scared them.

[orthodoc]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I saw that in Charlotte, NC, too. Less than 1.5 inches and all the resources in the county were busy trying to keep I-95 moving, so the rest of the roads weren't plowed and sanded which caused everyone to stay home. I was scratching my head as to why they would plow 1.5 inches.

It's all about the infrastructure. Places that get tons of snow regularly are prepared for it. When I lived in mid-northern Ontario, we had 12" snowfalls overnight constantly. It didn't matter, because the region had snowplows and salt ready 24/7, working 24/7. Everyone put snow tires on in the fall and everyone had chains they could ADD to the snow tires. Nothing ever closed.

But consider a location that has mild winters and gets snow maybe once in twenty years. There's no economic justification to keep snowplows and salt and sand on call 24/7/365. An inch or two of snow will bring these places to a standstill, but it's not their fault. People in these places don't buy snow tires at $900/season; why would they? So everything closes with minimal snowfall.

Live and let live. I'm happy when, if I'm living in a place that doesn't get much snow and it snows, people are cautious and places close easily. That's safe. I get scared when people who have no idea how to drive in snow attempt to race to work at 80 mph with summer tires.

[xoxoxoBruce]

It seems it doesn't take long to lose snow driving skills, one or two winters without much snow and poof, they're gone.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by orthodoc

It's all about the infrastructure. Places that get tons of snow regularly are prepared for it.

Definitely regional differences.