Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
No idea on whether rear steer helps on slush. My car is AWD, with a rear bias, and has rear steering. But it is rather slight. Just a few degrees. Still, it makes the mid-size car feel more like a smaller car. Too much rear steer can apparently make some occupants queasy. Many AWD cars are front biased. The problem in any case is that tires fighting for grip have less 'steer-ability", if that is a word.
I was once heading straight at another car on ice and brakes locked, and no steering ability, as a result. As a last ditch effort, against all instinct, I took my foot off the brake, regained steering, and was able to avoid the collision. THAT was a learning experience. This was before ABS.
Surprise! @Crash. Most of us who live in snow areas probably feel the same way. When I lived in Berkeley and Bradenton friends would ask if I missed the snow and I'd always tell them I know where it is if I do.
Surprise! @Crash. Most of us who live in snow areas probably feel the same way. When I lived in Berkeley and Bradenton friends would ask if I missed the snow and I'd always tell them I know where it is if I do.
The nice thing about winter to me is the solitude. So quiet in the neighborhood. You don't hibernate like bears do, but life slows to a crawl. I don't mind running the blower. I'll say we've had close to 2 feet of snow in very short order. Most unusual for so early in the year. Some winters we don't see 2 feet. No place is perfect. I was in the Florida Keys 2 years ago in December and nearly roasted in 95 degree heat + high humidity.
The gym where I work out is a 30-40 minute drive away. But the blower I'll work out with today is just a few steps away. -
There is a stillness I enjoyed indoors while it snows, even a raging and windy snowstorm. All else just sucks. I've got a mind to start a New Year resolution, and get out more, to the beach. Christmas lights with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Honolulu Hale:
There's a good episode of "Little House on the Prairie" staring Michael Landon where they get buried by several feet of snow on Christmas Eve. I've watched it a number of times. All-time favorite of mine. Never grows old. (I'm tempted to say the title is "A Christmas to Remember.")
I find Polar Express with Tom Hanks also great. Some of the scenes are exceptional if you don't mind a little animation thrown in.
If I had to pick a favorite Christmas movie, it would not be one of the obvious ones, like "A Wonderful Life" or "Christmas Story", both good. It would be "Scrooged" with Bill Murray. or "Hook" with Robin Williams.
hank said, "The nice thing about winter to me is the solitude." Early morning like 3AM, contractor decided to remove about 1 " of snow at the nursing home across the street! I can handle the snowplowing at 6 AM , but not 3 AM.
hank said, "The nice thing about winter to me is the solitude." Early morning like 3AM, contractor decided to remove about 1 " of snow at the nursing home across the street! I can handle the snowplowing at 6 AM , but not 3 AM.
Ouch! My neighborhood has been quiet. I think over half the people are wintering in the South. But one loud snowplow is one too many.
"Early morning like 3AM, contractor decided to remove about 1 " of snow at the nursing home across the street! I can handle the snowplowing at 6 AM , but not 3 AM."
Years ago, I lived in ski country south of Buffalo. Only place I ever lived where the Town took responsibility for plowing the public sidewalks. We had to do our own, leading to the front steps. So much snow. The workers might show up at 4:00 a.m. in their sit-down plows which had a zipper-up canvas enclosure and heater. We were at the corner house. Whenever they needed to hit reverse, the INFERNAL, SCORCHING LOUD suck-ass beeping noise filled the entire town. 4:00 a.m. Same with the road plows. And being at the corner, even in Spring, Summer and Fall, the giant logging trucks had to STOP for the Stop Sign and gear-up again. MONSTROUSLY LOUD, stoopid, useless, absurd, needless, unnecessary, goofy and ridiculously ludicrous, all around. And letting myself get a bit personal here, I was born with a trait no one knew anything about until the 1990s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing_sensitivity.
For others, the way-too-loud sensory inputs are just like water off a duck's back. For yours truly, it feels literally like I'm being assaulted. Will someone rescue me and take me back to wherever I came from? I must have been kidnapped as an infant and brought to this awful planet.
2 PM - "New York’s major airports are experiencing severe disruptions due to a powerful winter storm, which has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and delays. The National Weather Service has warned of up to 9 inches (23 cm) of snow falling on the city and nearby areas from Friday through Saturday, with severe impacts on air travel during the busy holiday period.
"As a result, New York City’s airports are bracing for a turbulent travel experience, with airlines scrambling to manage the surge of affected flights. The storm, which has hit the region with full force, has led to widespread chaos at John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), severely hampering the usual holiday traffic flow".
"The storm is powerful but fast-moving and front-loaded, and could deliver 1 to as much as 2 to even 2 1/2 inches an hour of snow at its peak intensity. This kind of intensity -- an inch or more an hour -- will challenge snow plows working to clear roads."
"The worst of the storm began around 7 p.m. Friday and will continue until about 2 a.m., but moderate snow will still fall into the morning hours on Saturday. Parts of the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and Long Island quickly wracked up snow totals, piling on 4-7 inches in some parts by 9 p.m. Friday. Totals were coming in much lighter in New Jersey and New York"
All true , but snowmobile fans have sugar plums dancing in their heads! They enjoyed their week of fun after 12" a few weeks ago in southern WI. And then two or three days ago I saw 2 Bikers out for a spin!
At our age, we have to be careful manually shoving snow. Studies have shown that it put significant strain on the cardio system that leads to heart attract among the older demographics. Here is where snowblowers or snowplows can make a difference. We lived in mid Michigan for several years and survived the winters. We drove front-wheel drive vehicles equipped with snow-tires and they do better than the rear wheeled driven cars. Roads covered with black ice is most scary situation to be in without studded tires.
Thanks @Sven. Years ago a neighbor died from a heart attack while shoveling his car out of snow. Yes, FWD cars do a lot better than RWD in winter. Just don't make the mistake I once did of mounting snow tires only on the front of a FWD vehicle. Plenty of online explanations why that is hazardous. I do hate automatic "ON" traction control. In steering through thick wet snow I believe you're better off with the TC disengaged. Let the fronts spin up a bit. TC generally throttles back at just the wrong time.
Thanks @Mark. That dude ice fishing looks cold. People in California probably never heard of this popular winter activity. That's a great list of precautions. I accidentally left 2 feet of ice and snow on the cab of my pickup recently. True to form it came off in a big clump and shattered on impact with the pavement at 55-60 mph. Was relieved to know there were no other vehicles directly behind me.
"...2 feet of ice and snow on the cab of my pickup recently." Ain't it the truth!? Makes for some fun driving when you come up behind a semi & trailer out on the freeway. I move up cautiously and then go like all get out to get around them. There's no way of knowing which way that blob is going to fly when it shakes loose.
Dire forecast for our Western Michigan region (along Lake Michigan's northeastern shoreline). Will try to get as much running around as possible done today. May be snowbound Monday & Tuesday.
Portions of NWS Warning:
"Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 12 inches...with locally heavier amounts possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph, resulting in significant blowing and drifting snow. .From 1 AM Monday to 1 AM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS.., Gusty winds could result in periods of whiteout conditions, making travel dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Isolated power outages are possible Sunday night and Monday."
I have only been ice-fishing once. It was on the mighty Mississippi at its widest point. More lake like than anything. My friend, who lived in the area, Southwest WI, had a homemade ice-fishing tent on a sled. It was cold and miserable and boring. The beer went flat in minutes from the cold. But, I do not regret the experience.
Being on that frozen river, makes me cringe in retrospect.
I'm tempted to say "wrong beverage". Friend and I would take a pint of brandy along. Have a few drinks, cut a few holes in the ice, catch a couple fish and after an hour head to the local tavern where was much warmer.
But I do remember driving north to the cabin on winter nights and needing to blow out the driveway at 10 PM. Sometimes a can of beer in the hand while working would turn to slush before you could finish the job.
Zip code 14731, An hour south of Buffalo: I DO NOT miss it: WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MONDAY TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph creating blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions.
* WHERE...Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Monday to 1 AM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Whiteout conditionsare expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact travel through the week.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lake effect snow is expected to oscillate several times downwind of Lake Erie this week. Forecast snowfall amounts could be much higher where lake bands persist during this long duration event. The strongest winds will be Monday and Monday night.
Zip code 14731, An hour south of Buffalo: I DO NOT miss it: WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MONDAY TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph creating blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions.
* WHERE...Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Monday to 1 AM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Whiteout conditionsare expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact travel through the week.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lake effect snow is expected to oscillate several times downwind of Lake Erie this week. Forecast snowfall amounts could be much higher where lake bands persist during this long duration event. The strongest winds will be Monday and Monday night.
Yeah - That Buffalo NY area frequently gets clobbered. I'd own 2 or 3 blowers if I lived there! At last look Michigan's UP (Upper Penninsula) is under a blizzard warning. Those are really fun ...
1-2 feet of snow with winds above 25 mph can turn into 3-5 foot drifts. Got buried in one years ago.
18" since midnight. Constant 40-45 mph winds off the lake with gusts to 55. Lost power several hours but on now. Playing with the blower will have to wait until tomorrow.
Comments
I was once heading straight at another car on ice and brakes locked, and no steering ability, as a result. As a last ditch effort, against all instinct, I took my foot off the brake, regained steering, and was able to avoid the collision. THAT was a learning experience. This was before ABS.
Yes sir- that's the trick.
The gym where I work out is a 30-40 minute drive away. But the blower I'll work out with today is just a few steps away. -
Christmas lights with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Honolulu Hale:
Basically unchanged 15 second spot from the 1970's.
I find Polar Express with Tom Hanks also great. Some of the scenes are exceptional if you don't mind a little animation thrown in.
I do like Polar Express.
Early morning like 3AM, contractor decided to remove about 1 " of snow at the nursing home across the street! I can handle the snowplowing at 6 AM , but not 3 AM.
I can handle the snowplowing at 6 AM , but not 3 AM."
There outa be a law against this!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing_sensitivity.
For others, the way-too-loud sensory inputs are just like water off a duck's back. For yours truly, it feels literally like I'm being assaulted. Will someone rescue me and take me back to wherever I came from? I must have been kidnapped as an infant and brought to this awful planet.
2 PM - "New York’s major airports are experiencing severe disruptions due to a powerful winter storm, which has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and delays. The National Weather Service has warned of up to 9 inches (23 cm) of snow falling on the city and nearby areas from Friday through Saturday, with severe impacts on air travel during the busy holiday period.
"As a result, New York City’s airports are bracing for a turbulent travel experience, with airlines scrambling to manage the surge of affected flights. The storm, which has hit the region with full force, has led to widespread chaos at John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), severely hampering the usual holiday traffic flow".
7 PM - New York and New Jersey Declare "States of Emergency" as Storm Strikes
"The storm is powerful but fast-moving and front-loaded, and could deliver 1 to as much as 2 to even 2 1/2 inches an hour of snow at its peak intensity. This kind of intensity -- an inch or more an hour -- will challenge snow plows working to clear roads."
11 PM - Powerful Storm Hammering Area With Sleet, Snow
"The worst of the storm began around 7 p.m. Friday and will continue until about 2 a.m., but moderate snow will still fall into the morning hours on Saturday. Parts of the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and Long Island quickly wracked up snow totals, piling on 4-7 inches in some parts by 9 p.m. Friday. Totals were coming in much lighter in New Jersey and New York"
MN Winter Laws
Thanks @Mark. That dude ice fishing looks cold. People in California probably never heard of this popular winter activity. That's a great list of precautions. I accidentally left 2 feet of ice and snow on the cab of my pickup recently. True to form it came off in a big clump and shattered on impact with the pavement at 55-60 mph. Was relieved to know there were no other vehicles directly behind me.
Portions of NWS Warning:
"Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 12 inches...with locally heavier amounts possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph, resulting in significant blowing and drifting snow. .From 1 AM Monday to 1 AM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS.., Gusty winds could result in periods of whiteout conditions, making travel dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Isolated power outages are possible Sunday night and Monday."
Being on that frozen river, makes me cringe in retrospect.
I'm tempted to say "wrong beverage". Friend and I would take a pint of brandy along. Have a few drinks, cut a few holes in the ice, catch a couple fish and after an hour head to the local tavern where was much warmer.
But I do remember driving north to the cabin on winter nights and needing to blow out the driveway at 10 PM. Sometimes a can of beer in the hand while working would turn to slush before you could finish the job.
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MONDAY TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph creating blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions.
* WHERE...Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Monday to 1 AM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact travel through the week.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lake effect snow is expected to oscillate several times downwind of Lake Erie this week. Forecast snowfall amounts could be much higher where lake bands persist during this long duration event. The strongest winds will be Monday and Monday night.
1-2 feet of snow with winds above 25 mph can turn into 3-5 foot drifts. Got buried in one years ago.
That's quite a storm!
Be careful out there.