…and lots of it!
but hey, its winter and thats what happens in winter! typical nor’easter here in new england
from my living room window
What a picture! The day before yesterday I woke up to 8 inches of snow and temperatures in the 20’s. I know that is not a big deal for what you are use to, but, when you live 80 miles SOUTH of Nashville, TN, it is a big deal! : ) Everything here is in a “stand still” until some of this stuff melts which should be by Friday or the weekend. Not sure what we will get then since the weather man is not sure either. Maybe rain, maybe more snow or maybe freezing rain. Like you said, this is winter and it is better to get this now than in March or April. Usually February is our worst month and then things start to warm up and our weather will be up and down with temps in the 50’s for a few days and lower for a few days. Since I was raised in Ohio, I can deal with what we have now, but, most people here do not know how to handle this. After living here for 26 years, I don’t like this weather anymore either! : ) You stay in and take care…
does Tennessee even have plows??
What do you mean does TN have plows, there are farmers every where, they just do not farm snow. A little known fact is the largest number of snowplows in the south is probably in Memphis. FedEx owns them. The Memphis airport will not be shutdown because of snow. Cities may own a few but not many, they have roadgraders, front end loaders. People talk about the 3 states of TN, west TN is mostly pretty flat, middle TN transistions from flat to hilly, east TN is home of the southern Applachian chain of mountains. East TN roads probably require more attention due to frequency of snow due to elevation and curves and grade of the roads.
The City of Atlanta has a total of 58 pieces of equipment working on removing snow from the streets of the “City of Atlanta”, most are privately owned. About 90% of us live in the metro area, where the state or county is in charge, we just wait it will melt soon. My historian & native Atlantan friend tells me Atlanta gets a “major” winter storm every 11 years, our last one was 1993 a ice storm in March that shutdown I-75 for about a week. Buying a bunch of snowplows to rust, and maybe be sold to a scrap dealer in the 10th year, for an event that happens every 11 years doesn’t seem like a good investment to me.
Well, Norman, and all, the storm you’re getting passed us up here in Western, PA, but we got hit with lake effect snow from Erie. We probably will only get about 10 total inches by tomorrow evening. Nice photo. I guess you’ll get a lot of tying done.
Bruce
Normand,
As Uncle Jesse stated, most Tennessee towns do not own snow plows and if they do, it will not be enough to handle this amount of snow, so, we kinda wait until Mother Nature melts it which is usually pretty quickly. Most of the snow plows will be used on the main highways in and out of towns to keep traffic moving plus the main street through towns. All side streets will be done after the main roads are cleared to allow traffic to move safely. All the rural country roads will be pretty much left to fend for themselves which is why you see a lot of people running to town to stock up on milk and bread and other essentials. They know they will be pretty much on their own when those living closer to town will be out and about. A lot of the rural roads will be cleared by the farmers using their tractors and back blades. Everyone pretty much pitches in and helps each other in the rural areas which is nice and helps to pull people together. Overall, in the rural areas, you are asked to just wait until Mother Nature melts everything so you can get out. That is why most schools are still closed even when the city streets are in good shape. I know most of my neighbors think I am nuts because I shoveled my driveway out and it is about 200 feet long. I just needed to get out of the house and it was good exercise. When I lived in Ohio, I would be up at 3am shoveling my driveway out because, in Ohio, you were expected to be at work on time no matter what the weather was or you were not paid and could lose your job. I lived 45 miles from my job in Ohio and most of the time I was there on time. Down here, the employers know that those who could get in to work would be there and the others will make it as soon as they can get out.
storm was a fizzle here. got about 3.5-4" and that is it. Pennsylvanians in this area have been spoiled by too many mild winters. heck most of these folks can’t drive on a dry road let alone a wet or snow covered one…and forget about a little ice! as one who was raised down wind of lake Erie if it isn’t measured in feet i don’t worry about it. besides, i like snow.
as far as snow removal goes why does every road have to be plowed clean? why do we need to use all of that road salt that just ends up polluting our fisheries? i am not a tree hugger but i am a conservationist.
You know Warren if you work in an office so many people have laptops and high speed DSL at their homes they can do their jobs from home for a few days without getting on the roads. Besides most of your customers are going to cancel their appointments to come to your office. I have only had one job where I could not do it as well from home and that was before high speed DSL, laptops and cell phones. Companies have learned they can save millions of dollars by letting employees work at home, of course “It’s Green” and often you have happier employees. Personally I like working from an office but I like being around people, but it is nice to not have to go downtown to Atlanta.
I have traveled to most of the major cities in the USA one thing I have learned the only person in any city who knows how to drive in snow, is the person you are talking to at the moment.
If that is the case then everybody should have equal skills, there are no accidents and we still do not need to plow clear and over salt every road on the planet. I am not arrogant enough to think I am the best driver out there. I know better but there are those who don’t. What about the ones who “forget” that when the traction conditions are reduced you have to slow down? They forget it all of the time. They are in every city and even a few in the country too.
Those of us who grew up in the rust belt didn’t have the luxury of working at home. You can’t put a mill or a mine in your living room. I was also raised to believe that there are two places on this earth that you should never confuse for each other and should always be kept separate. The place where you work and the place you call home. I don’t take home to work and I don’t take work home with me. That’s just me though.
Normand
I Hear ya on the snow, it was a major pain in the butt driving 50 miles one way to work this morning. Hardly ever have the Govt shut down the office here in Vermont. The worst part is gonna be driving home tonight when they’re expecting 20-30 mph winds and heavier snow than what’s falling right now. Usually takes me 35-40 mins to get home/work but this morning took me almost 2 hours.
Can’t wait to see how long the drive home tonight takes LOL. Keep warm all, and all you southern boys c’mon up and we’ll teach ya how to drive on snowy/icy roads!!! LOL
Be safe all
Fatman
When I put the dogs up last about 10 we had blizzard/whiteout like conditions with blowing snow in a hard cold wind. When I got this morning at 5 it was raining and the snow was almost gone. What the? One small 10 to 12 inch tree across the road. I didn’t have time to pull off the road so drove over it which busted it up pretty good so who ever follows me should not have a problem getting around it.
I’m on the other end of the spectrum. I learned to drive during the aftermath of a Cheyenne, WY blizzard that dumped 3’ of snow while the wind was blowing it around and stacking it up in the middle of the roads back in 1967 in a rear wheel drive Ford Fairlane. Between tutelage from my Dad and subsequent driving of 18 wheelers, I can honestly say that I have been stuck in the snow less than 5 times in my entire life. There has been a couple of times I have refused to drive due to conditions, but those were extraordinary.
Folks that can not drive in the snow tick me off. It isn’t that hard. Ice is another story, but snow can be handled easily. With today’s front wheel drive cars and the improvements in tires, traction control, ABS brakes, and more, there is no excuse for folks to not figure it out.
The same principles my Dad taught me many years ago still hold. Drive like you have an OPEN cup of hot coffee in your lap that any quick movement will spill or drive like you have a 2 yr old raw egg between your foot and the pedals that you do not want to break all over your freshly cleaned carpet. This alone will get you moving and keep you from sliding around a lot. The other is to leave lots of room in front of you in case you do hit a slick spot.
There are other little tricks, like keeping one side of the car or truck on snow instead of thinking the tracks that look like they are down to pavement are safe. They aren’t. There will be ice in them. Remembering that you will get better traction in snow than on ice. Cold, fresh snow is still “sharp” and will give better traction than melting snow. You can use the conditions to actually make your drive easier.
I do drive faster than most in the snow. I have been doing it for a long time. I know how to do it and do it safely. So if you come to Colorado and get caught in a snow storm, either call me for a ride or do your best to stay out of the way. You might be apprehensive, but many of us actually do know what we are doing when we blow by you like you are rolling backwards. If you move here and want lessons, I will happily show you the ropes to safe winter driving without being a speed bump free of charge.
Normand,
You asked if we have snow plows, there are a couple of plows around for several hundred miles of county roads; the main problem is having a lack of salt down here, the county will brine the roads prior to a snowstorms, now this is good for the cars but not the locals. I am originally from Michigan so this kind of weather is just another winter day to me, now don’t get me wrong y’all can take it back north anytime 
Most people panic down here when it comes to driving in snow, they will rush to the super market if they smell, taste or hear of any snow coming. We went to Kroger on Sunday evening prior to the snowstorm just to pick-up a couple of items as we would usually do for the work week. I was shock to see only a couple cartons of eggs left in the cooler that could hold several hundred cartons of eggs. The milk was almost gone, the bread was completely gone and what really amazed me was the freezer section was cleaned out of frozen vegetables and pizza. Whenever you hear the old saying the bread & milk are gone, think about the south.
nighthawk,
I agree with you on all the chemicals being used just to make the roads look like they do on the 4th of July. It is a shame that in this day and age, people feel that their lives should not be bothered by snow and ice and expect someone to make sure there is nothing standing in their way to continue “as usual”. People just need to learn to slow down a little and take things in stride. I learned that after moving to Tennessee over 26 years ago. It took me quite awhile to get use to a slower pace and to not panic that it snowed and I might be late for work. My first job here was with Amana Refrigeration which was 23 miles from where my first home was. The plant looked empty of employees when the weather got bad. The plant supervisors expected that and no one was in fear of losing their jobs. My supervisor was shocked when I arrived each day on time because he knew I lived 23 miles away and he really did not expect me to make it in. The Union reps were not happy about it though because it did not look good for an employee who lived 23 miles away to be in on time and others who lived within 10 miles of the plant either were several hours late or did not show up. : ) I remember arriving to work there when the weather was great and found very few people there in my department and I asked my supervisor where everyone was and he just laughed and said to give them a couple days and they would return. I asked him to explain that and he said it was the first day of gun season for deer and a lot of the people were deer hunting and would be in after a couple days! : ) I just could not believe that, but, that was the way things were. After being laid off I was hired by the local college here and found the same mind-set. People just do not get in a hurry and put their life and family ahead of work which is not the way things were in Ohio. I now see the value behind this, but, I also see the damage done when the work is not done on time. Oh, well, thank God I am now retired from the college and do not have to worry about getting to work on time anymore, but, my work ethics are still the same and I have a tendency to put my job ahead of my family and my life and that is not good but it is the way I was and still am to a certain extent. Now that I am retired, I am enjoying my family and life more.
Uncle Jesse,
“I have traveled to most of the major cities in the USA one thing I have learned the only person in any city who knows how to drive in snow, is the person you are talking to at the moment.”
[COLOR=black]I understand that statement all to well! : ) I feel the same way. Many people who have lived in the South all their lives do not understand that the tires you bought 3 years ago are not going to give you the traction you need for snow and they need to just stay home!: ) Even with all the adjustments I have had to make in the 26 years I have been here, I do not intend to move back to Ohio. I really like the longer fishing season plus all my relatives on my Mom’s side are mostly all gone and all the relatives on my Father’s side live in Mississippi which is just a 4 hour drive from here. I feel more at home in Tennessee than I did in Ohio so I must have more of the Mississippi blood in me than the Ohio blood. : )
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It’s snowing pretty good here today. Should turn to rain in the PM.
On the TV news last night, some folks were apparently complaining because the red light cameras recently installed in Spokane were sending them tickets when they slid through the stop light. They wanted a mulligan. The city (rightfully, IMHO) said, “No joy” and told 'em to pay up or talk to the judge. “But, yer honor, I ain’t responsible for the snow!”
Jeff
Trav & I just came back from our morning walk, a mile and a half or so…sunshine, 70 beautiful blue sky and yes we are grateful! Sorry so many are having bad weather…
Thanks for the rub-in LadyFisher as we freeze, buried with snow to our knees I thought this post was about SNOW!!! not beautiful blue sky, sunshine and 70 degrees
Snow is easing up right now. But is not going to end till midnight they are telling us. Got about 12" so far. I’m all for staying indoors on days like this (not big fan of the wind)
And everyone was looking at you like you were crazy for not wearing a down filled coat. :lol:
Normand,
Looks like you got a dusting. As a great man once said (Bill Murry in the movie - CaddyShack) “I don’t think the heavy stuff is going to come down for some time!”. Enjoy it while you can! Why don"t we get this stuff in July, when we need it the most??? LOL!! I blame it on El Nino!
Best regards, Dave S.