In the UK, over the past week, we've had about 1ft / 30cms / 12inches of snow across most parts of the country, including the South East which is where I live ... it's not like it never snows here, we've now had heavy snowfall 3 times in the last 12 months ... but each time the same thing happens; the entire country grinds to a halt; schools close & the transport infrastructure fails, which means it's difficult to get to work, for those of us who commute via rail its impossible, the roads are blocked so no deliveries can get through, supermarkets run out of food within a couple of days, idiots go out on the road think they are ok to drive but end up getting stuck, further stretching emergency and rescue services, the airports shut down ... and then the fun police come out warning us of the dangers of sledging, snowball fights and to clear our drives at our own peril in case someone falls and sues. Is it like this over in the States & Canada? (sorry, getting cabin fever as have hardly left the house in the past week, need to vent :icon_smile:!)
Didn't see the CNN reports on Buffalo, New York? People were stuck on route 90 (the Thruway) for up to 15 hours. Living in Syracuse, NY and being from Oswego, NY, we get a lot of lake effect snow. Had about 4-5 inches on my car this morning. However, since we get it so often, most communities have the proper equipment to take care of it. Of course, I've heard stories where in Virginia, D.C., etc. that if they get 1" of snow, the same thing happens that is happening where you live. Everything shuts down. Last year, there were reports of huge snowball fights in D.C. when they got nailed worse than usual. People posted on facebook, twitter, etc. and lots of people showed up. From what I remember, an off duty police officer pulled his gun on someone when his car got hit with a snowball.
Where we live, if they are calling for snow and I mean just calling for snow, nothing on the ground. Schools dismiss early or close, cars are lined up at the pumps, ya can't buy a loaf of bread, gallon of milk or a roll of toilet paper for miles. Once the snow actually hits, every motorized vehicle in the county is on the road. Cars, trucks, mopeds, motorcycles. If it has wheels on it some fool is out "playing in the snow" to the point emergency vehicles can't get through. We can't go to work or school but ..... COME ON VACTION!! LOL
Where I live, if there is any less than 3 feet of snow in the forecast, then everything proceeds as normal. I work at a 24 hour a day, 365 day a year operation. Last winter, we had a killer snow storm, like 2 feet in 8 hours, it was insane, 80km/hr winds . I worked outdoors through the hole thing just to keep our operation going. Temperatures dipped as low as -50 Celcius. It was no biggie...lol
Its not like that here in Minnesota. We are prepared for snowfall, at least where I live. We got 10 inches Friday night into Saturday morning and my wife went to work at 5 am on plowed roads. I had no troubles finding gas or groceries. Some schools in the area closed early, but I think it had more to do with it being Friday then any snowfall.
Occasionally I have to put the truck in 4x4... The intersections can be icy and spinning takes a while to get momentum... In reality we might get bogged down for a day or two but other than rush hour getting extra long and some extra accidents are common we are used to winter storms. Gotta love that global warming eh?
Lol... I know. It's like everybody in the damn world is making french toast or something. I still can't figure out why the beer, liquor, and propane never runs out?
Thing is in the UK it doesnt really snow that often. It's rare to get more than a couple of inches of snow once or twice a year outside of Scotland. There might have been 3 significant snowfalls in 12 months but years prior to that there was next to nothing. Just doesnt make any kind of economic sense to have an army of snow ploughs standing by for them only to get used a handful of times in their life. Same with the public buying snow chains for cars. Gritting the roads doesnt work below -5C or thereabouts, so when you get freak weather like now of -15C once in a blue moon the country is just not geared up to cope, because it's so rare. In Cancun it was 54F or 12C this morning. That probably sounds like sunbathing weather to many but when you have no heating in the house and nothing warmer to wear than T shirts it can feel quite chilly. They are actually talking of opening shelters so people can stay warm. Seemed very strange putting the heater on in the car this morning instead of the air con. All depends what you're used to.
I've been watching the news and it sounds really bad in the UK, and started wondering how many will be grounded and not be able to make their trips to Temptations.. heard some planes have been grounded.
