Until recently, winter hasn’t amounted to much in Omaha this year, which isn’t surprising since we’ve been in a drought. We were in a sort of cycle of having some “want to be winter” weather every few days, with some reasonably acceptable ones in between. About three weeks ago, we actually had what might be called “meaningful” snow, but nothing too serious. Then we got hit with a real blizzard a week, or so later. And I DO mean a blizzard; although the snow didn’t get to be more than three to four inches thick, the wind was 50 mph and higher for over twelve hours, the Interstate was impassible for several hours, etc. It was wild. Then there was this past weekend.
Actually, Saturday and most of Sunday weren’t bad, but It started snowing (and blowing fairly hard), Sunday night and continued all day Monday, only stopping early Tuesday morning with almost 12” (11.9”) officially at the airport. This (note 11+”) was by our back porch.
Actually, Saturday and most of Sunday weren’t bad, but It started snowing (and blowing fairly hard), Sunday night and continued all day Monday, only stopping early Tuesday morning with almost 12” (11.9”) officially at the airport. This (note 11+”) was by our back porch.
The city managed to cope with most of the plowing issues fairly well yesterday, but we got another inch (or a bit more) early this morning. It looks like things MAY be back to something like “normal” by tomorrow, but I’m going to wait to see.
Still, it’s probably fair to say that real “Omaha” winter hasn’t set in yet. That is, we haven’t had days with a high temperature of -15° and a 30+mph wind! So, it will almost certainly get worse before it gets enough better to be “nice” in any realistic way. I confess, it’s enough like winter to suit me. I really don’t mind the cold weather so much, as long as I can stay in and the furnace works. I do not like to have to deal with packed snow, ice, traffic snarls, and, eventually, the inevitable potholes in the streets. Nor do I like shoveling snow (especially with my arthritic knees), nor watching Bonnie do it. Thankfully, we have a couple of neighbor kids who are happy to make a bit of money by “scooping” (as they say around here) snow off various neighbors’ sidewalks and driveways. I guess that about the only “good” thing I see about the COVID situation is that I am considered “at risk,” so it’s perfectly acceptable for me to not go out unless I absolutely must. So, I don’t, nor does Bonnie, unless it’s really necessary. Anyway, I got to thinking about winter, driving, etc., and decided to do a post about such things. Enjoy!
I have noticed that quite a wide variety of people are more than willing to offer advice about how one should drive during winter conditions. I am reminded of one of our neighbors in Sylva/Cullowhee (who had come up from Alabama) who thought that the best way to deal with snow on our (rather steep) hill was to get out and run up and down the hill a few times in his pickup to “pack the snow down real good.” This was one of the reasons why we parked our car at the bottom of the hill during bad weather for several years.
Still, apparently not everyone in the southern states has mistaken ideas about bad weather driving. For example, there’s this weather guy from a CBS station somewhere in North Carolina who recognizes good winter weather driving advice when he sees it, even on Twitter.
Still, it’s probably fair to say that real “Omaha” winter hasn’t set in yet. That is, we haven’t had days with a high temperature of -15° and a 30+mph wind! So, it will almost certainly get worse before it gets enough better to be “nice” in any realistic way. I confess, it’s enough like winter to suit me. I really don’t mind the cold weather so much, as long as I can stay in and the furnace works. I do not like to have to deal with packed snow, ice, traffic snarls, and, eventually, the inevitable potholes in the streets. Nor do I like shoveling snow (especially with my arthritic knees), nor watching Bonnie do it. Thankfully, we have a couple of neighbor kids who are happy to make a bit of money by “scooping” (as they say around here) snow off various neighbors’ sidewalks and driveways. I guess that about the only “good” thing I see about the COVID situation is that I am considered “at risk,” so it’s perfectly acceptable for me to not go out unless I absolutely must. So, I don’t, nor does Bonnie, unless it’s really necessary. Anyway, I got to thinking about winter, driving, etc., and decided to do a post about such things. Enjoy!
I have noticed that quite a wide variety of people are more than willing to offer advice about how one should drive during winter conditions. I am reminded of one of our neighbors in Sylva/Cullowhee (who had come up from Alabama) who thought that the best way to deal with snow on our (rather steep) hill was to get out and run up and down the hill a few times in his pickup to “pack the snow down real good.” This was one of the reasons why we parked our car at the bottom of the hill during bad weather for several years.
Still, apparently not everyone in the southern states has mistaken ideas about bad weather driving. For example, there’s this weather guy from a CBS station somewhere in North Carolina who recognizes good winter weather driving advice when he sees it, even on Twitter.
It does NOT take a genius to figure out that this is VERY good advice. Of course, some people have other sorts of solutions to difficult driving conditions but may not have thought the entire situation out completely ….
While I am unconvinced that this is a particularly viable solution (I know I couldn’t even get such a vehicle INTO my garage), but I will admit that it might well handle snow and ice pretty well. Just don’t have a flat, as the spare seems inadequate for the task at hand and would be hard to get to.
On the other hand, there ARE some parents who have solved the problem of their children wanting to “borrow” the car all the time through a simple, and obvious, process.
On the other hand, there ARE some parents who have solved the problem of their children wanting to “borrow” the car all the time through a simple, and obvious, process.
This MIGHT provide some sort of solution in some cases, but I have noticed that there are a lot of people who don’t handle traffic very well, even in the best of weather conditions. So, for them, I would suggest that they remember that ….
In Omaha, the most common traffic-related problem I’ve noticed since we moved here is potholes. While it’s never been quite as bad as this example from Id, it’s been close on some streets ….
Now our mayor has proposed what she claims will be a long-term “solution” to the pothole problem in Omaha, although I find it just a little hard to believe it’s actually going to BE a permanent fix. I’d like to think that it might HELP reduce the problem while I’m still active enough to actually care, but I confess that I am not really convinced. I think that it’s all too likely that, before too long, things will return to the current situation.
Things COULD be worse, however. It’s beginning to look like COVID may, eventually, be under something resembling control and we MIGHT be able to return to something like normalcy (whatever THAT means) in terms of schools, businesses, etc. It’s going to take a while, however.
In the meantime, here’s a question to ponder -- You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a 'drop off', (The ground is 18-20 inches below the level you are traveling on), and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you. In front of you is a galloping horse, which is the same size as your car, and you cannot overtake it. Behind you is a galloping zebra. Both the horse and zebra are also traveling at the same speed as you. What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation? (If you can’t figure it out, the answer is provided below.)
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks, if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise. Or perhaps I should make some provision for blizzards and snow?
LLAP,
Dr. B
In the meantime, here’s a question to ponder -- You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a 'drop off', (The ground is 18-20 inches below the level you are traveling on), and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you. In front of you is a galloping horse, which is the same size as your car, and you cannot overtake it. Behind you is a galloping zebra. Both the horse and zebra are also traveling at the same speed as you. What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation? (If you can’t figure it out, the answer is provided below.)
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks, if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise. Or perhaps I should make some provision for blizzards and snow?
LLAP,
Dr. B
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