02-08-2011, 09:04 PM

Just wanted you to know we are expecting 2 to 5 inches of snow tonight and the schools and local business have already begun to announce closings. FWIW the roads are completely dry at this moment, and no snow anywhere to bee seen.

You northerly located brethren (and sistren) cannot believe the consternation 2 inches of snow on the roads causes down here.

02-08-2011, 10:12 PM

Lol, at 2 inches most everybody is still driving, except the Smart Car owners
The greatest hazard we have when the roads are snow covered are large highway trucks which are constantly shuttling supplies/fuel to the outer communities, they pull a snow cloud so thick you can't see through it, making you completely blind for about 30 seconds when they drive by.

The only time I know off that schools and businesses close is when the thermometer hits -40 ºC and lower and the cars refuse to start, can't say that I've ever seem the schools close because of the snow.

02-08-2011, 10:24 PM

I have seen the schools close for three days as a result of a six inch snow fall. Different world down here.

02-09-2011, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Razormac

I have seen the schools close for three days as a result of a six inch snow fall. Different world down here.

That's pretty crazy. I don't think I've ever had more than 2 consecutive snow days before. >_<"

Sucks for the kids because they are going to have to make those days up. >_>" If they miss a lot of days.

02-09-2011, 11:21 AM

I went in to work this morning expecting to be there through lunch since snow hadn't started hitting the ground yet but only made it two hours before deciding to head home. Even so road conditions went south very quickly. I ended up broadside in two intersections trying to stop even though I wasn't going that fast.
Anyway, I'm home and Arkansas will be closed for business for the next two days for all practical purposes.

02-09-2011, 11:25 AM

2-6 inches here means that everyone gets in their car and drives to the mountains. I-70 becomes a parking lot but the upside is if you actually make it you probably have 10 inches of fresh powder.

The amazing thing here is how dry it is. If you shovel, and the sun shines - the pavement is generally dry - so there may still be 6-8 inches on the ground but the pavement is completely dry - even if the temps are low.

02-09-2011, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by IvanLasston

2-6 inches here means that everyone gets in their car and drives to the mountains. I-70 becomes a parking lot but the upside is if you actually make it you probably have 10 inches of fresh powder.

The amazing thing here is how dry it is. If you shovel, and the sun shines - the pavement is generally dry - so there may still be 6-8 inches on the ground but the pavement is completely dry - even if the temps are low.

I used to be a ski bum, now I'm just a bum.
It's amazing the difference in viewpoint now. When I lived in California and Massachusetts, I agree, fresh snow meant grab the skis. But not here and not now.

02-09-2011, 01:13 PM

I love my state and definitely not trying to make fun of the situation because the roads are a mess right now. But, the governor just declared a state of emergency because of the snow.

02-09-2011, 01:26 PM

To be fair, if you live in an area where you rarely get snow, it is an emergency. I used to always laugh at places that would panic if they got snow but when you think through it logically, if you're not prepared for snow, it can be a terrible experience and one that it hard to cope with. Part of me still laughs a little bit though .

02-09-2011, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Razormac

the governor just declared a state of emergency because of the snow.

I find that funny !!!! Sorry (though i hope life or property damage doesnt happen)

Just coming from a country that has only a little snow for a cpl of months it is hard to decipher what you are going through....

This doesnt mean you cant go to work Razor I just read this sort of definition of it

As the snow continues to pile up, you may get a robo-call from your local police department saying a state of emergency has been declared and only essential personnel should be on the roads.

Q: Does state law spell out which workers are considered essential?
A: No. "Essential" is in the eye of the beholder — or the beholder’s boss. (Or union contract.) The law leaves it up to common sense.

Take care and stay safe out there


Brrrrrrr

02-09-2011, 02:33 PM

Yeah - people forget that when you get an odd snow - your state doesn't have the resources to handle it. I was in LA when it snowed for the first time since 1910 (It was like 2005 or 2006) - They don't have snow plows, or salt or anything so the roads just froze and everyone was slipping everywhere. Of course that happens in LA when it rains too as there is too much oil on the road.

Here - there are like 950 piece of snow removal equipment that belong to CDOT. They were using road graders in LA to clear what they could.

02-11-2011, 09:16 AM

Back at work after 2 days at home. Roads still icy but useable.

Extremely unusual weather for Arkansas, even in February. We got 7 inches measured on our deck, but parts of the state reported as much as 25 inches! And, overnight lows in the same area hit -17 deg F (almost unheard of).

By comparison, last weekend it was 78 deg F and sunny and I was enjoying the deck.

02-11-2011, 09:34 AM

Had another ice day this week after 4 in row last week.

Next week we'll be hitting close to 70 all week - life as it is in N Texas.

02-11-2011, 11:33 AM

The worlds weather sure has gone haywire!
Here however, everything is as normal (cold and damp and gloomy).

02-11-2011, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Kevriano

The worlds weather sure has gone haywire!
Here however, everything is as normal (cold and damp and gloomy).

Not gloomy here, sun is shining, birds are signing, the squirrels are chattering away at something and it's a very warm -3 ºC/ 26 ºF.
Feels like summer to us after a bout of -25 ºC/ -13 ºF temperatures.