Severe Wx?

[Jersey mike]

While I'm certainly NOT trying to change the subject away from the lovely Marisa  ...



This morning, I finished cleaning up (again) after another 3 inches or so fell over night. Several years ago, I tried out several new blowers but felt quite disappointed with build quality, so I decided to build my own. She's heavy, tires me out, and has no mamby pamby safety crap, but will chew through just about anything. I took a mid 80s JD 1032 that had gone kaboom, and someone put a 7hp Tecumseh engine on it. Needless to say, it's performance was underwhelming moving heavy, wet New England snow from a 32" bucket. I went through the blower itself, and swapped a 14HP Robin/Subaru snow engine to it. I played with pulleys to get the auger speed to where I wanted it, and it's a beast. As I always say, I'm no videographer, but here's a short video I made right after I got it together. There is a cover for the belts; I just had't made it yet when this video was shot.    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6bHD3ZtlT9c

That’s quite a machine you got there. Well done.

[hubcapsc]

A question for Serk:

Just curious and wondering if TX got that freezing ice on solar and wind energy producers fixed?

Ice covered generators don’t perform very well from what I have been told.   We have some huge solar panel farms around here.   I’m wondering if they have some kind of heating elements to keep snow and ice from shutting them down?

Rams

The problems in Texas you mention were mostly related to the natural gas
supply chain. The wind turbines also had a big freeze problem. One of their
four nuclear plants went offline, and frozen equipment and supply problems
hosed up their coal plants. They had almost no solar then, but they do now.
Solar power and batteries are the most important source of power in the
world now. Go out and look at the sun... no wait... you can't.

-Mike

[3fan4life]

One angle I saw mentioned elsewhere, usually this sort of event hits one or two southern states, and the others will send their linemen to the effected area to help out.

Might be a problem if all those areas get hit at once...

Bring on the Snow Apocalypse



  I'M READY!  

Hey, Mark! Nice start   Got any left?!?
- left side, under wall outlet: what is short jar with red lid?!?

That is a jar of imported German mustard, "Mittlesharfer Senf" that I bought at Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati.

[3fan4life]

We wound up with about 4" of snow topped off with 2" of sleet that froze solid.

I waited until yesterday and used my little Massey Ferguson sub compact tractor to clear off the driveway.


It worked pretty good once I learned which technique was best for clearing a gravel driveway.

[Jess from VA]

I chopped about 6 feet of heavy ice with my digging bar and shoveled it off. 

That's it for today. 

If it never thaws, doing this every day will only take me a couple months.   

[Jersey mike]

Marisa Tomei talking cars! WoW too much!!!


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GiG…you’re killing me. She is a doll.

[f6john]

Must have been a nippley day when she took that picture.

[Rams]

While outside shoveling snow and ice off of a sidewalk (too narrow for my Kubota) I noticed a Ford F250 with tractor on a trailer just sitting in front of a neighbor’s home.   None of my business so I continued my task as the tractor was unloaded and the operator started to attempt to scrape the ice and snow off the concrete.   I finished my task as much as I was willing to do and went inside, observed his progress. He had barely gotten anything done.   Came inside to warm my toes up and periodically looked out the window to see how he was doing.

After about an hour I couldn’t help but note how little snow and ice he had actually moved so, I decided to go out and see if he needed any assistance.   He obviously didn’t know how to accomplish the task.
So I walked over.

After standing and watching while standing next the home owner I offered some advice to the home owner on more effective ways to operate the tractor to accomplish the task.  After that discussion the neighbor stopped the operator and told him what I had said.

The operator was obviously frustrated and listened.  Thanked me and started again.   Although he didn’t follow my guidance completely, he did try and started to get more effective.  

What he didn’t understand was he wasn’t pushing snow, he was attempting to push ice that was frozen to the concrete.  

He got better as he worked the problem.

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Some can't drive worth spit on snow and ice.

Some who operate plows and tractors (and even show shovels) don't do so well either.  I watched one lady start swinging her shovel like an ax (in anger) at the solid ice.  I felt the same way, but no sense in ruining your shoulder and the shovel.  

We had at least a dozen different plow drivers in my neighborhood, and the skill levels vary.  I watch to make sure they don't block my clean driveway apron with 4 feet of ice.

Walking down the street yesterday (the walks are nearly impassible and slippery as hell) I watched two guys working their tails off on their drive aprons.

Hey man, do you have your wallet on you?

No, why?

Well go and get it.  If you flag down one of these plow drivers and ask nicely and offer 20 bucks, you can probably get him to clear that for you in about a minute.

Really?

Really.

And they did.  

It's not part of what those drivers are supposed to be doing, and takes a bit more skill with the plow, but they are all capitalists, and mostly glad to help.

[Jersey mike]

Some can't drive worth spit on snow and ice.

Some who operate plows and tractors (and even show shovels) don't do so well either.  I watched one lady start swinging her shovel like an ax (in anger) at the solid ice.  I felt the same way, but no sense in ruining your shoulder and the shovel.  

We had at least a dozen different plow drivers in my neighborhood, and the skill levels vary.  I watch to make sure they don't block my clean driveway apron with 4 feet of ice.

Walking down the street yesterday (the walks are nearly impassible and slippery as hell) I watched two guys working their tails off on their drive aprons.

Hey man, do you have your wallet on you?

No, why?

Well go and get it.  If you flag down one of these plow drivers and ask nicely and offer 20 bucks, you can probably get him to clear that for you in about a minute.

Really?

Really.

And they did.  

It's not part of what those drivers are supposed to be doing, and takes a bit more skill with the plow, but they are all capitalists, and mostly glad to help.

My brother-in-law, his cousin and one of their friends moved to Chester,VA back in 91/92.

My wife and I decided to try and make the move as well around 94/95, so I moved down there with the guys, got a job and tried to make a go of it. This was around the time the real estate market wasn’t that great and our house wasn’t budging.

While I was there we had a few light snows and the four of us would laugh at how bad the drivers actually were at driving in even the slightest of coverage on the roads. We’d see all types of vehicles off the road, in culverts and accidents all over the place and this even included the local, I think it was Chester police and I think Sheriff dept as well.

The four of us use to laugh and say what a great time to go nuts on a bank hold ups, nobody could catch us. Back then, up here we’d be responsible for getting to work, there really was never no going to work if it snowed, you learned to drive in the snow.

Now back in ‘96 there was a tremendous storm, I believe it was classified as a blizzard, and my wife’s whole family was down there for a wedding. I remember the New Jersey Turnpike was shut down so my in-laws could not leave and us boys had to go out and get some supplies at the Piggie Wigglie.

The ride to the store, there were cars just all over the place while we were driving in an old POS Dodge Caravan. There were people at the store but it was just one of those ya had to be there times. My brother-in-law still lives there says he still can’t get over how bad people are with even the smallest amounts on the highway or local roads and people will call out of work, schools will close and it’s just a mess when it snows.

[Rams]

Safely driving in the current conditions with roads covered in ice and snow takes two things. The right transport and the learned skills (experience) and practice.  Most us in the South don’t have the experience or opportunity to learn those skills.  

It is what it is.   Having lived in several northern areas to include KS and Colorado I honestly believe I posses the skill to get to where I want to go.   The problem is, all those other folks out on the roads that don’t.   That’s why our 4Wd hasn’t left the property and won’t until the roads have been cleared.

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Ron has it right Mike.  People who rarely get snow (like in most of VA) just don't get the practice or skill.

It apparently snows all the time on Tracy's mountain in SW VA, but not where I live. 

I got all my practice in old beater one-wheel drive cars growing up in MI.  You need to drive just like you walk on ice.... slowly and carefully, and easy on the gas and brakes.  I had more trouble walking around my house than driving to the store.  Instead of walking, I sort of ice skated along. 

I did not want to get salt on my truck, but I wanted a couple things at the local grocery, AND I wanted a bit of a practice run in my big van that hasn't seen much snow/ice.  I had 15 feet of downhill ice in front of my backed in van, and I wasn't worried about getting out but backing up in was worrisome. The big front wheel drive truck did fine, and it backed right up the solid sheet of ice too.   

The big flat top had 6 in inches of solid ice up there, so I waited to get down the road before hitting the brakes and all of it came crashing down.  I was lucky not to lose any of my 5 roof marker light lenses.     The whole area looks like a disaster zone, but the roads were pretty clear.

After getting home, I tried to shovel a bit of ice.  It ain't happening, and I'm waiting for the thaw next week. 

 

[Jersey mike]

Experience IS key and I’m not denying that. I’ve tried to teach my own kids how to handle the snow but now they’re on their own. Me and my friends use to go out intentionally to drive around…and have a little fun as well in the snow and in big open parking lots.

Jess reminded me of an old story and I thought the humor of it might transfer that’s all. But I have to say seeing the police cars stuck in the snow and all the fender benders we saw was quite a sight.

[Rams]

We’ve had a warming trend the last couple of days.   Slightly above freezing for a short time in the early afternoon.  Today the forecast is 40* F for a couple hours this afternoon.    What this means is that roads with hard packed snow and ice will melt (to a point) then refreeze resulting in black ice on the roads tonight.  

Plan accordingly if you have to get out on those roads.

Rams

[scooperhsd]

I have been driving in snow and ice since I was 14 (1974/75), and I can drive in almost anything , in a 2wd vehicle. I have never driven a 4wd / AWD vehicle, and with a little practice... I'm a firm believer in the "drive only if you absolutely have to go / be somewhere" (like the emergency room ?)

I even drove down I-55 (closed because it was snowed out ) returning from leave to Pensacola, in a 2wd 1983 Ford Ranger pickup. About a foot of snow at the time. I stayed the night at NAS Memphis

[Jess from VA]

We will not be above freezing until Monday, and that is only mid 30s with freezing teens and twenties every night for the foreseeable future.  No 40s at all.    

All schools closed, no garbage collection, no mail.

In 35 years, I have never failed to keep my corner lot wide sidewalk clean and safe for the buss stop and kids.  But I cannot clean/chop/shovel the solid ice on any of the sidewalk out there, or the giant piles of ice the plows put up there cleaning out the big intersection, or my own walks and driveway for that matter until it thaws out next week.  And that may take me days (only working until my 72yo body is finished for the day).  I hope to get my corner cleaned off for next week's anticipated school reopening (and buses running).  My neighborhood streets are plowed, but mostly single lane wide.  

The old sunshade in front of my bike shed is shredded, but the aluminum awning over my basement walkout piled high with ice is still standing.  My front door and walk is all ice and untouched.  

[Jersey mike]

I have been driving in snow and ice since I was 14 (1974/75), and I can drive in almost anything , in a 2wd vehicle. I have never driven a 4wd / AWD vehicle, and with a little practice... I'm a firm believer in the "drive only if you absolutely have to go / be somewhere" (like the emergency room ?)

I even drove down I-55 (closed because it was snowed out ) returning from leave to Pensacola, in a 2wd 1983 Ford Ranger pickup. About a foot of snow at the time. I stayed the night at NAS Memphis

I’ve only driven a 4x4 a few times doing snowplowing on our business lot at 10mph max. It was a mid 2000’s Chevy 2500 diesel p/up that was beat to death but could still push 20+” of snow with ease, other than that it’s been rwd or fwd for me and I’ve driven through some deep stuff over the years in our work vans. It all comes with experience. When it snowed we worked it didn’t matter. Never got stuck never had an accident.

[Serk]

If I had to choose between 4x4 and VSA (or a different brand variation thereof) I'll take VSA every day and twice on Sunday.

The VSA in my Acura made driving on ice and snow almost trivial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex5AiUB5Exs

[Jersey mike]

We will not be above freezing until Monday, and that is only mid 30s with freezing teens and twenties every night for the foreseeable future.  No 40s at all.    

All schools closed, no garbage collection, no mail.

In 35 years, I have never failed to keep my corner lot wide sidewalk clean and safe for the buss stop and kids.  But I cannot clean/chop/shovel the solid ice on any of the sidewalk out there, or the giant piles of ice the plows put up there cleaning out the big intersection, or my own walks and driveway for that matter until it thaws out next week.  And that may take me days (only working until my 72yo body is finished for the day).  I hope to get my corner cleaned off for next week's anticipated school reopening (and buses running).  My neighborhood streets are plowed, but mostly single lane wide.  

The old sunshade in front of my bike shed is shredded, but the aluminum awning over my basement walkout piled high with ice is still standing.  My front door and walk is all ice and untouched.  

At this point Jess you know what’s best to do and not to do. One thing is for sure, not breaking a bone(s)  or splitting your head open is the best case scenario. You’ve obviously have done your civic duty for the kids and bus stops, maybe it’s time for others to step up and take the initiative and responsibility.

I had a conversation with my neighbor yesterday about how I ended up clearing the storm drains all these years and I explained to him how I just went along with what my older next door neighbor was doing when we moved in and basically took over that role because I had kids using that bus stops. Innthe years to come I don’t knkw what will happen but I’ll still do what I do until I can’t or move away. It’s not fun or easy, especially when it’s stuff like this and all the ice. This was a different kind of storm.

[Jess from VA]

We will not be above freezing until Monday, and that is only mid 30s with freezing teens and twenties every night for the foreseeable future.  No 40s at all.    

All schools closed, no garbage collection, no mail.

At this point Jess you know what’s best to do and not to do. One thing is for sure, not breaking a bone(s)  or splitting your head open is the best case scenario.

This was a different kind of storm.

Yes I do know what's best, which right now is nothing.

I apologize for all my whining.  I'm in good shape, and always self reliant, but this thing has me beat.... and housebound and bored and pissed off.

Given the complete lack of activity in my normally bustling neighborhood I'm not alone.

I keep thinking about going out and trying to do some work, but it's frigid and windy, and the bright sun does nothing but make the ice more like granite than ever.

So it's time to eat chili, drink coffee and watch Motor Trend TV and old western movies.  

I'm a decent cook, but eat simple food.  I suppose I can try to make something a bit fancier to pass the time.  

EDIT:  Well I just went out there anyway for an hour and a half.  Some spots in the shade could be cleared around back (not much), but out front in the sunny driveway remains like concrete and won't chip or shovel at all.  The sidewalk around my corner lot is 6-10 inches of solid ice.  

[carolinarider09]

If I had to choose between 4x4 and VSA (or a different brand variation thereof) I'll take VSA every day and twice on Sunday.

The VSA in my Acura made driving on ice and snow almost trivial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex5AiUB5Exs

Since you mentioned it I had to check my Subaru.  It has all wheel drive and apparently has VSA.  So.  Good news in foul weather.  

Thanks.

[scooperhsd]

Jess - I'm not usually going out either, the driveway got a minimal amount of snowblowing done. There are some solid ice places , but I don't feel any need to try to chip them out - just be careful that I don't slip and fall when I'm doing essential outdoor tasks.

[Serk]

Got up to 50 yesterday, ice was only in a few shaded areas.

Did see one brave soul riding his Harley on my trip to the store.

[Rams]

Got up to 50 yesterday, ice was only in a few shaded areas.

Did see one brave soul riding his Harley on my trip to the store.

With the roads here, that would not be considered “brave”!    But I am glad some are able to get some wind therapy.   
Rams

[Jess from VA]

Jess - I'm not usually going out either, the driveway got a minimal amount of snowblowing done. There are some solid ice places , but I don't feel any need to try to chip them out - just be careful that I don't slip and fall when I'm doing essential outdoor tasks.

I got real close to slip and falling three times going to my mailbox this morning Scott.  Slipped badly, didn't fall.

The mail started again yesterday.

That's the only time I'm going out there today.  Bright sun on solid ice at 15 degrees makes it a freaking hazard.

Wind is not therapy with wind chill at 2 degrees.   

I will scrub my kitchen for something to do inside.   

[scooperhsd]

Jess - I'm not usually going out either, the driveway got a minimal amount of snowblowing done. There are some solid ice places , but I don't feel any need to try to chip them out - just be careful that I don't slip and fall when I'm doing essential outdoor tasks.

I got real close to slip and falling three times going to my mailbox this morning Scott.  Slipped badly, didn't fall.

The mail started again yesterday.

That's the only time I'm going out there today.  Bright sun on solid ice at 15 degrees makes it a freaking hazard.

Wind is not therapy with wind chill at 2 degrees.   

I will scrub my kitchen for something to do inside.   

Yeah, we've been kind of working on the house (cleaning organizing etc). to occupy the time.

[Jess from VA]

I bought one of those Walmart lightweight battery vacuums (Hart) because my old full size Hoover is a PITA to lug around the house, move the plug in every room, and heavy and hard on my shoulder.  

I just did the whole house with it, and it was disturbing how much fuzzy crud I picked up.  I suppose having the furnace and heat blasting all Winter has something to do with it.  I live alone, keep a clean house, no shoes ever worn in here, but I'm going to have to do this more often. 

[Rams]

Was asked so I got the Kubota out and went to help another neighbor with his drive. Due to his driving over it so much it was hard, packed solid and was only able to do so much with it, but he was happy with end result.

The weather guessers are predicting more frigid, temps, and possibly snow and freezing this weekend. I believe I will park the Kubota and just see what happens.

Rams.

[LadyDraco]

I have lived in Virgina for well over 40 yrs.
We  have always gotten big snows.
 But the elevation was always over 3000' above sea lvl. where we  lived .
So yeah Snow....
I never lived in the part of Va, That it didn't start snowing from Oct - April...
4"+ on the ground right now and still snowing .. It's winter ,it's going to snow  .
  


The coast of Va. not so much..

[old2soon]

       Severe Maybe iffin yer out in it without PROPER clothing and protection of Exposed skin. Just had a looksee at my Weather Underground app and well this Sounds and IS backazzwards near as I'm can tell! Elroy Wi-Josh & Terry-is showin 12 degrees F NOT - But + side! Wilmot Wi.-daprez-is showin 17 Degrees F and again on the + side. Here in beautiful but NOT balmy Willow Springs Mo. SOUTHERN Missouri I'll add it is 8 Degrees F and YES on the + side!  Used ta wuz in wintertime the further north ya went the colder it got!  Anybody wants to talk to me bout global warming feel free to come stand out here in the parkiing lot completely totally naked and I'l;l liosten to ya long as you bring a P A system!  Happy I got my runnin about done yesterday!  BUT there is some good news on the W U app! Mondays forecast callin fer 52 Degrees F on the + side!  Course that Will turn the grassy and gravel parts here bouts some soupy!  RIDE SAFE.