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Feb. 1st, 2008
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Yep, an honest-to-goodness Snow Day here in the ol' STL.
This morning I listened to the raido (as is my habit). KSHE 95 had their news/weather/traffic report at 8ish this morning, as is their habit. Traffic report?
Long list of accidents that are affecting the highways, followed by a statement like this: "Everyone is advised to NOT DRIVE ON THE STREETS AT ALL." Um. I don't think I've EVER heard this on the radio before. What's more, they went on to say that the street crews laying down salt and scraping off snow were not able to keep up, so much of city's streets are still under an 8-12 inch blanket of 'Wintery Mix.'
Schools are closed, businesses are closed, even my employers didn't open their doors today. I called my boss and she said, "STAY HOME!"
(Which is good, because I am SO not driving in this today. No way.)
Last night, accidents abounded as midwestern drivers tried to deal with that mysterious white stuff falling out of the sky. I would say that 60 per cent of STL drivers have some vague clue how to drive in the snow, but most of THOSE drivers get somewhere and hole up.
The other 40 % grab the kids and head out to Wal-Mart or something. (headdesk.) I'm sure that my northern friends will back me up on a few tips:
If your car isn't designed to drive in this crap... stay home. Car pool. Something.
If you have no experience driving in the snow... perhaps you should ease your way to an empty parking lot and try to learn.
If you're dealing with a "Wintery Mix", remember that certain parts of the road *will freeze* under the snow. Which parts, you ask? Try OVERPASSES, fool. There's cold air blowing under there, and the concrete in the overpass is going to be significantly colder than the ground surrounding it.
Drive slower. No, I don't mean drive the speed limit for the first time in your life. I mean, drop at least 10 miles below the posted speed limit and be much more timid in your turns.
If you lose control of your car: Leave your panic alone and deal with it later. Turn into the spin, even if it takes you where you don't want to go. It is the only way you're going to regain control.
Now, if I don't have to DRIVE in it? I like the snow just fine. Frankly, as long as I am not required to walk more than three or four blocks in it, I'll cheerfully walk to the store in the snow (provided that they're open.) I loved marching as Santa (well, Mrs. Claus anyway) during Santarchy. However, the next time I'm supposed to be marching in the snow... I think I'll make sure to bring GLOVES.
So perhaps I will walk down to the park and try some sledding this afternoon. I've got some big pieces of cardboard that would love to carry me down the hill.
And new snow pants!
This morning I listened to the raido (as is my habit). KSHE 95 had their news/weather/traffic report at 8ish this morning, as is their habit. Traffic report?
Long list of accidents that are affecting the highways, followed by a statement like this: "Everyone is advised to NOT DRIVE ON THE STREETS AT ALL." Um. I don't think I've EVER heard this on the radio before. What's more, they went on to say that the street crews laying down salt and scraping off snow were not able to keep up, so much of city's streets are still under an 8-12 inch blanket of 'Wintery Mix.'
Schools are closed, businesses are closed, even my employers didn't open their doors today. I called my boss and she said, "STAY HOME!"
(Which is good, because I am SO not driving in this today. No way.)
Last night, accidents abounded as midwestern drivers tried to deal with that mysterious white stuff falling out of the sky. I would say that 60 per cent of STL drivers have some vague clue how to drive in the snow, but most of THOSE drivers get somewhere and hole up.
The other 40 % grab the kids and head out to Wal-Mart or something. (headdesk.) I'm sure that my northern friends will back me up on a few tips:
If your car isn't designed to drive in this crap... stay home. Car pool. Something.
If you have no experience driving in the snow... perhaps you should ease your way to an empty parking lot and try to learn.
If you're dealing with a "Wintery Mix", remember that certain parts of the road *will freeze* under the snow. Which parts, you ask? Try OVERPASSES, fool. There's cold air blowing under there, and the concrete in the overpass is going to be significantly colder than the ground surrounding it.
Drive slower. No, I don't mean drive the speed limit for the first time in your life. I mean, drop at least 10 miles below the posted speed limit and be much more timid in your turns.
If you lose control of your car: Leave your panic alone and deal with it later. Turn into the spin, even if it takes you where you don't want to go. It is the only way you're going to regain control.
Now, if I don't have to DRIVE in it? I like the snow just fine. Frankly, as long as I am not required to walk more than three or four blocks in it, I'll cheerfully walk to the store in the snow (provided that they're open.) I loved marching as Santa (well, Mrs. Claus anyway) during Santarchy. However, the next time I'm supposed to be marching in the snow... I think I'll make sure to bring GLOVES.
So perhaps I will walk down to the park and try some sledding this afternoon. I've got some big pieces of cardboard that would love to carry me down the hill.
And new snow pants!