Didn't expect to wake up to this...Follow

Well THIS is unexpected!

If I'd wanted to see this crap, I would've stayed in Michigan.

At least Mr. Ambrya is home today. See, here in Portland we haven't gotten those newfangled gadgets known as snow-plows, so driving here when this sort of thing is happening can be quite dangerous. Judging from the condition of the 217/I-5 interchange, which he has to go through everyday on his way to work, I'm just as glad he made the call to stick around.

This is about two hours after he already cleaned off his car once. And it's still coming down.

Ack. No snow in my area. If there was snow here, then that means it's Armageddon. Looks like it's time to just drink some hot chocolate where you are!

Everthing up my way is covered in a layer of ice up to 1cm thick. Then there is a light dusting of snow on top. This morning the sun came out and it was a split scene; the trees that were still standing were real purdy, but there were a lot of downed branches and power lines still from the ice storm.

Entering a car coated in ice is a fun way to start the morning!

You're all ***** *** babies.

Suck it up or move to Peru!

Y'know, I used to think the same thing. I thought it was hilarious that the city would virtually close down if there were half an inch, and figured it was because these people just weren't used to driving in snow, and I patted myself on the back for being an experienced winter driver and scoffed at the idea of chains and studded tires.

Then we had a fairly major storm a few years ago--about 4-6 inches of snow one day, and the next day freezing rain, which meant the snow had a lovely glazing of ice all over it. And I had an appointment I didn't want to miss, so I went out in that. And that's when I realized the major differences between winter driving in Michigan and winter driving here.

Snow plows and salt trucks.

The reason this city closes down at half an inch is because there aren't nearly enough snow plows--the interstates and major thoroughfares will eventually be plowed over the course of a couple days, but the side streets and residential areas never will be, so if it's icy, there's a good chance you will never get out of your driveway. And while we have a few sand trucks, those are:

1) not nearly as effective as salt and
2) not nearly sufficient in quantity

So, now I have a good deal more respect for the rare snowfall in the Portland area. Or maybe being here for 10 years has made me soft...

It's cold here in Texas. No snow, but there are still icy patches on the roads and parking lots.

No snow in the Silicon Valley, but damned cold. I used the washer fluid to get a smeared bug off my windshield and it instantly froze. Nice thin sheet of ice on the windshield.

At about 7AM we already had a fatal accident, which they suspect was due to a patch of ice on the freeway.

had a decent ice storm yesterday. I'm waiting for this tree to fall on my sons playground, but so far, it's held up well. A couple of downed trees in our neighbors yard. I figure we've gotten off easy this winter so far, it was bound to happen sooner or later.



Edited, Jan 16th 2007 2:42pm by DSD

It was 74 here yesterday. Crazy *** weather.

Careful you he might just give your ******* frostbite.

I didn't mind the now so much this morning. It was the solid sheet of ice under it that caused me to slip and fall on my *** that was the annoying part.


Tomorrow is going to be fun though when the remelt turns to ice.