Author Topic: It SNOWED! (Read 2306 times)

wklink · « **Reply #30 on:** November 04, 2003, 09:56:35 AM »

Right now it is 10 degrees colder here in Olympia Washington than it is in St. Paul MN. This is going to change, a little but St Paul is only going to be about 5-6 degrees colder than Oly will be.

It has been unusually warm in the Midwest over the past few years. I grew up in the central part of Illinois and remember many days as a kid going to school in sub zero weather. I remember the ice storms most of all, driving to work on a 3/4 inch sheet of ice. I remember taking out my share of stopsigns while coming down a hill to work. Lets just say a 77 Ford F-150 and an ice storm don't mix well.

Lately it seems that the Pacific Northwest has gotten a lot colder than the midwest. MN and WI have been a lot warmer than in recent memory from what some friends of mine have told me. Coming home on leave in the winter isn't such a lousy proposition anymore, although driving home is still out of the question. Illinois isn't as bad as MN but it does get cold there. Heck it is going to be 65 today in my home town. What a gyp, when I was there November sucked.

My wife was down in Portland when the snow hit there, we got about a 1/4 inch to stick here in Oly. Was pretty to see but I was a little concerned driving the 62 T-bird home from work that morning. I was more concerned that the lock would be frozen.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #31 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:07:07 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by wklink
Right now it is 10 degrees colder here in Olympia Washington than it is in St. Paul MN. This is going to change, a little but St Paul is only going to be about 5-6 degrees colder than Oly will be.

It has been unusually warm in the Midwest over the past few years. I grew up in the central part of Illinois and remember many days as a kid going to school in sub zero weather. I remember the ice storms most of all, driving to work on a 3/4 inch sheet of ice. I remember taking out my share of stopsigns while coming down a hill to work. Lets just say a 77 Ford F-150 and an ice storm don't mix well.

Lately it seems that the Pacific Northwest has gotten a lot colder than the midwest. MN and WI have been a lot warmer than in recent memory from what some friends of mine have told me. Coming home on leave in the winter isn't such a lousy proposition anymore, although driving home is still out of the question. Illinois isn't as bad as MN but it does get cold there. Heck it is going to be 65 today in my home town. What a gyp, when I was there November sucked.

My wife was down in Portland when the snow hit there, we got about a 1/4 inch to stick here in Oly. Was pretty to see but I was a little concerned driving the 62 T-bird home from work that morning. I was more concerned that the lock would be frozen.

No worries, we'll be back to our Monsoon season soon enough. We always get a cold snap this time of year, then the rains will come for weeks on end. Remember, we've not had a major snowfall for a couple years...we're due for one, I'm hoping we get one! Nothing more fun than watching folks drive who don't know how to drive in winter conditions!

wklink · « **Reply #32 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:27:09 AM »

True.

I remember an Ice Storm in the winter of 96-97. I was heading down to Ft. Sam Houston Tx from Galesburg Illinois and it was literally ice all the way there. I was driving a 90 Ford Ranger (yes, I have owned a lot of Fords) and it was quite an experience.

The worst part was Texas. There are some real idiots on the roads in Austin and San Antonio. I'm not slamming Texas in general, I love the state, but there are some real idiots out there when it comes to driving on snow and ice. I was literally crawling along at 25mph on I-35, and I saw 3 dimwits in a five minute span blow by me, fishtail and then head right into the median strip. The all looked like cat's on ice out there. I must have seen 35 cars in the ditch during that 150 mile stretch from Austin to San Antonio and at least six blow by me and then end up in the ditches.

The first rule on ice is always 'SLOW DOWN'. If you skid (and you will) you will only dent your fender going off the road, plus you will be close enough to get back on without calling a wrecker.

Second Rule: 'FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DOESN'T MEAN SPIT ON ICE' Four of the 6 vehicles that spun out in front of me were big four wheel drive trucks. Of course they had all 4 wheels spinning into the ditch. I love the guys who think that those big 44" will help them after a night of freezing rain.

Third Rule: 'STAY HOME' Even back home people didn't listen to this. I once worked in a clinic laboratory and it amazed me to see little old ladies scooting across a sheet of ice with their walker just because they had to have their bloodwork done. The hip replacement industry in Illinois was thriving because of the 'need' to get your bloodwork checked. The doctor said to be there next week for it.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #33 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:32:01 AM »

Couldn't agree more with your points Wklink. And to add to it, mid-sized to larger 4WD's actually have a disadvantage on the roads, they're heavier, therefore they take alot longer to stop.

Best thing is to stay home unless you have to go out.

Reschke · « **Reply #34 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:54:20 AM »

The funniest thing I have ever seen was a little over two years ago we had a light dusting of snow here in Birmingham but had plenty of ice. I headed on to work once I worked around the hills in my neighborhood. As I get onto I-65 for my usually 20 minute drive to work I start creeping along in the right hand lane with probably 3-4 other cars nicely spaced out. After maybe 5-10 minutes I see this small truck come flying up behind us in the far left lane. Just after he blows by us going 70 mph or so he goes over a bridge. As soon as he goes over the bridge he looses control, spins 3-4 times and slams into the retaining section to keep from going over the edge. As I drive up to see if he is ok I notice the side of his crushed truck says "Dent Doctor". As I slow down and get out to check on him he gets out the passenger door on his cell phone just cussing like hell. I asked if he needed help and he says no so I hop back in the car and start to get to work. Just for grins I asked if he was going to be able to doctor those dents.

vorticon · « **Reply #35 on:** November 04, 2003, 02:27:41 PM »

Quote

it SNOWED

so??? we got 8 inches right now...

Wlfgng · « **Reply #36 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:19:17 PM »

(this morning)

Bluedog · « **Reply #37 on:** November 04, 2003, 05:52:31 PM »

9:45 am, sitting here in a pair of shorts and a singlet, no shoes, fan on high. About 28~29 C outside right now, prolly make 30~31 by lunch time.

Never seen real snow in my entire life, and from all reports, i'm not real sure I want to.
I lived in Canberra for one winter...no snow, but a fair amount of sleet and negative temps, I just wanted to drag my bed in front of a heater and stay there all day.....dunno how you guys can maintain an 'ordinary' lifestyle when it's that cold.

Rather sweat than shiver any day.

vorticon · « **Reply #38 on:** November 04, 2003, 06:26:35 PM »

cold...it aint cold till it hits -25c...until then its just a bit chilly...and nothing a sweater cant handle...what i really love is aussies coming up in the fall (-8 - +14 on average) and wearing all sorts of hilarious winter type garments

Curval · « **Reply #39 on:** November 04, 2003, 07:14:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by vorticon
cold...it aint cold till it hits -25c...until then its just a bit chilly...and nothing a sweater cant handle...what i really love is aussies coming up in the fall (-8 - +14 on average) and wearing all sorts of hilarious winter type garments

It is really amusing to see the tourists here in winter all ready for the beach and watching the confused looks on their faces when they see a local in a ski-jacket.

vorticon · « **Reply #40 on:** November 04, 2003, 08:35:36 PM »

not my fault you lot cant take a bit of cold

Ripper29 · « **Reply #41 on:** November 04, 2003, 09:40:19 PM »

Wlfgng. nice picture. Thats a great view, please don't tell me that is what you see when you wake up every morning (not the snow the view)

Lazerus · « **Reply #42 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:46:43 PM »

Come visit down here in August. Don't forget to bring a nice suit. Nothing like 98* and 98% humidity in slacks, shirt, tie and coat to make you feel like you're really down south.

Mid 80's here today. I'm going to miss it these next few months.

wklink · « **Reply #43 on:** November 04, 2003, 11:39:11 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Lazerus
Come visit down here in August. Don't forget to bring a nice suit. Nothing like 98* and 98% humidity in slacks, shirt, tie and coat to make you feel like you're really down south.

Mid 80's here today. I'm going to miss it these next few months.

Trust me, where I was this August was a lot hotter.

One day it hit 130 degrees.

Lazerus · « **Reply #44 on:** November 05, 2003, 01:47:11 AM »

Heat index at 98 and 98 is pretty damn close to 130.

Thinking of the places that reach 130*, ~~to ya.~~