TX vs MT

[steelslaver]

I was working down in Sweeny TX and this "snow storm" shut down the job and the town, even the schools and restaurants were closed. The driveway of the motel.

I got home to a driveway that looks like this and a town where everything had remained open and the kids went to school everyday

There is average of over 18" on the flat, and in your car you can't see over the mounts beside the roads

 

[Alk8944]

LMAO. Sure makes a difference, doesn't it!

 

[AJ]

Just depends on what you are use to seeing for weather. Imagine what it is like here in Florida when it gets real cold. Never mind snow!

 

[Skeet 028]

Yeah...we had 18-20 inches on the flats...no wind here to speak of. Snow is still on the trees in fact. I didn't go very far mainly because the temps were below zero a lot in the last couple weeks. Did go to the auction and spent money but it was 2 above that day...My sister texted me a pic of the snowman she made...about 12 inches high. Sne lives a bit north of San Antonio

 

[ladder13]

That snow keeps out riff raff like me.

 

[AJ]

That snow keeps out riff raff like me.

Have seen it snow up to several feet out on the coast in NC. Sure does keep the locals at home or in the ditches. have to laugh at the local boys with their big four wheel drives that are stuck in the ditch. Had to go get my In-Laws as their power was out and no heat. I used a 1979 Datsun 310 front wheel drive. Drove slow and stayed in the center of the road (as best as I could tell--sort of centered the front end between the ditches on either side). Drove 30 miles round trip pushing snow with the front end.

 

[Harrison]

Well Yeah. But ya'll are used to it. Your houses are built for this kind of weather, so are your schools and stores. Everyone probably has snow tires and/or chains for their wheels. Folks grow up learning how to drive in that nasty white stuff.

Down here our houses are built for hot weather, not cold weather. Our cities don't have sand, salt or small gravel to put on roadways and many of our freeways are elevated. No one has snow tires. The cities towns have no way of clearing the streets or freeways.
Finally, if most of us wanted to live where it was cold 4-6 months out of the year, and they had ice and snow, we would live there. My wife and I live in So. Central Tx. because we both grew up in northern states and when we retired decided we liked it where it is was warmer.

 

[GypsmJim]

My longest running employment was with a company that was founded in Buffalo, NY in 1925. They finally moved to North Freaking Carolina near their 75th anniversary.

The first 75 years the Buffalo office was closed for a total of 3 days. As it was the city was closed for that time as well. The first year in NC, they were closed for 7 days. The difference is whether the city has snow plows, or uses lawn tractors instead.

 

[GypsmJim]

have to laugh at the local boys with their big four wheel drives that are stuck in the ditch. Had to go get my In-Laws as their power was out and no heat. I used a 1979 Datsun 310 front wheel drive. Drove slow and stayed in the center of the road (as best as I could tell--sort of centered the front end between the ditches on either side). Drove 30 miles round trip pushing snow with the front end.

The big guys have huge egos because of their fancy equipment. That gives them the power to drive like a maniac. Happens every time. People with common sense make it to work every day.

 

[GypsmJim]

No one has snow tires.

Finally, if most of us wanted to live where it was cold 4-6 months out of the year, and they had ice and snow, we would live there.

Snow tires are obsolete. Even OEM tires today are "ALL Season" and they work better than the snow tires of the olden days. Drive an AWD sedan and you don't need a pickemuptruck.

Cold is manageable. Put on more clothes. Oppressive heat makes me happy to live in the North. Also, heat costs less than AC.

Besides, a little snow makes the wife want to snuggle. None of that when the hurricane or tornado is approaching.

BUT, the bottom line is that we are ALL blessed to be able to live where we want. And whatever your choice, none of us have to worry about bombs destroying out neighborhood.

God bless the USA.

 

[Bald1]

It hasn't snowed at my house in 24 hrs. Yet I had to plow the 450' from barn to driveway twice today. Wind keeps drifting it in. I try to keep piles on down wind side. That path I clear is actually on top of 12" of hard pack. I feel like it's snowed everyday in February……. I give up with these pics. Pic was taken with phone straight up n down. Then posted as such.

 

[Doug M.]

Growing up where I did, I do sneer at most snow fall and people's responses. If I think about it a minute, it is somewhat unfair to do so at folks who don't have my background.

 

[Skeet 028]

Went out to check the chikins the other day...they finally came out of their coop yesterday. Snow was piled up pretty good. so you know I fell into that stuff. It was so deep I didn't even feel it...till I hit the bottom...that was the hard part. Little drift of about 4 feet. . Couldn't get the tractor going ....gelled diesel...I forgot...So I fired up momma's F-250 chick truck. Sucker is great in the snow. Went to town got some diesel supplement...duh! When I got back county roads had been up almost to my house with the grader...Hard place for him to turn around. Got the Deere going and cleaned up, so it was easier to get out. Summer diesel ain't made for winter use...again...duh I forgot

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Well Yeah. But ya'll are used to it. Your houses are built for this kind of weather, so are your schools and stores. Everyone probably has snow tires and/or chains for their wheels. Folks grow up learning how to drive in that nasty white stuff.

Down here our houses are built for hot weather, not cold weather. Our cities don't have sand, salt or small gravel to put on roadways and many of our freeways are elevated. No one has snow tires. The cities towns have no way of clearing the streets or freeways.
Finally, if most of us wanted to live where it was cold 4-6 months out of the year, and they had ice and snow, we would live there. My wife and I live in So. Central Tx. because we both grew up in northern states and when we retired decided we liked it where it is was warmer.

It may surprise some folks to learn that not a single city, town, or county in Colorado owns any snowplows. The only roadways that are plowed or treated with sand, etc, are state highways (including the interstate routes) maintained by state employees. Everything else waits for a return of sunshine and warmer temps.

The only places requiring chains or adequate snow tires (all weather type in serviceable condition) are the high mountain passes, several of which top out above 10,000 feet above sea level. During severe storm conditions the high mountain passes and some sections of highways may be closed to any traffic, which may be due to deep snow or simply wind-driven snow limiting visibility. Such conditions are rather unusual and seldom last more than a couple of days.

 

[armadillo]

I live in Texas, but I lived in snow country for several years.

It is good that they close things down in Texas at the hint of snow. If you ever saw some of these drivers in the rain you know they have no business trying to walk on snow, let alone drive in it.

 

[WR Moore]

The panics can get interesting. Back in the late 80's a buddy and I had finished up a job near Hampton, VA and we were due to fly out mid-morning. The night before, we'd planned a leisurely breakfast and a mosey to the airport.

When I opened the curtains next morning, I saw a blizzard. The TV said the eastern seaboard was shut down, roads very hazardous, nothing open. Called the airport, they're flying, called my buddy, said we're leaving NOW!

Saw maybe 3-4 cars enroute to the bird farm. Roads lightly dusted, no issues. We had to kill a few hours at an airport with few open shops and had a marginal and overpriced breakfast.

IIRC, my last road job was in Connecticut in December-January. 36 below wind chill, the streets had disappeared under a layer of snow months before and everything was pretty much normal.

 

[GypsmJim]

The panics can get interesting. Back in the late 80's a buddy and I had finished up a job near Hampton, VA and we were due to fly out mid-morning. The night before, we'd planned a leisurely breakfast and a mosey to the airport.

When I opened the curtains next morning, I saw a blizzard. The TV said the eastern seaboard was shut down, roads very hazardous, nothing open. Called the airport, they're flying, called my buddy, said we're leaving NOW!

Saw maybe 3-4 cars enroute to the bird farm. Roads lightly dusted, no issues. We had to kill a few hours at an airport with few open shops and had a marginal and overpriced breakfast.

IIRC, my last road job was in Connecticut in December-January. 36 below wind chill, the streets had disappeared under a layer of snow months before and everything was pretty much normal.

I had a job in Memphis, TN on a January day a number of years ago. I got up in the morning and found an ice storm. Nobody showed up at the hotel restaurant so I got no breakfast. The rental car had no ice scraper so I had to use bath towels and hot water in the waste basket to clear the windshield.

I had a 1990's Chevy Caprice Classic rear wheel drive. As I drove to the plant cars were in ditches everywhere or doing doughnuts at stop lights. I swear I never saw such idiots. I simply drove around them and ended up at the plant right on time. The guard let me in but the plant manager and workers didn't show up until mid afternoon, when the ice had melted.

Sucked to be them. As a Consulting Engineer I charge for my time. So they had to pay for an extra day.

 

[steelslaver]

Lots of place here don't plow the streets, some just plow main traffic routes. On the rest of the streets people just drive on them and pack them down. Then you drive in the ruts.

But, the locals grew up with it. Time doing donuts on empty parking lots and frozen lakes teaches you a lot. If your going straight ahead and lock up your brakes you will continue to go straight no mater how much you turn the wheel. Lock em up, turn the wheel and then let off the brakes and the tires will bite and turn you. If your going fast and do that you will spin around and around, but traveling in the same line.

You have to do everything very gently. Taking off from a stop, just release brake and let the wheels turn slow, tromping on the throttle just spins your wheels and makes a slick spot under them and if you keep it up a slick shallow spot you won't get out of. Turn gentle, any jerks will cause the car to slide. Momentum being what it is your car wants to keep going in the direction it is traveling

4X4 are great. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE THEM ON SLICK ROADS. IF you let off the throttle on a 4x4 or front wheel drive fast enough the tires slip you will not turn, but go straight. Once a tire slides it will continue to do so until you match its speed to your travel speed. Totally different that rear wheel drive. A sliding rear wheel drive will slide worse given throttle. A driven front wheel will bite and turn IF YOU MATCH IT SPEED to the travel speed. If you spin those front tires they slide. Plus with a conventional 4X4 if you let off the throttle quick the front wheels slow to fast and slide and they will not bite to steer you. Traction control 4x4 works different and they will drag the brakes and try to straight you out. Lot harder to make them power slide. With a rear wheel drive I can turn slightly, bump the throttle and the rear end will start to come around and if you let off right the rear end will quit sliding and leave you pointed the way you want to go.

Hours upon hours on empty lots, frozen lakes, country roads and then driving on it every winter. We used to have drag races on a local lake when I was a kid. How much power you had meant nothing. Your tires and your ability to work the throttle meant everything. Circle track racing with a couple old cars on a frozen lake is a hoot. Who can make a trip around a track the fastest. LOL.

 

[mtgianni]

As I tell the grandkids, four wheel drive doesn't mean four wheel stop.

 

[GypsmJim]

As I tell the grandkids, four wheel drive doesn't mean four wheel stop.

The amount of awful drivers I see every day tells me that none of them had Grandpas like you.