Will the Arctic Cold Front Cause Severe Weather and Damage to Crops?

[nismaratwork]

Wow... the snow here is no longer snow... it's depleted snowranium. I don't think I could clear what's already there with a pickax.

One thing I noticed today, now that the snow berms are no longer obscuring all views; the amount of salt and sand that had to be used... has STRIPPED almost every street sign! A yield sign that was quite vivid weeks ago is now just a triangle. You can also start to see the profound damage done to the roads by plows, but even more by flexing and freezing.

Oh... and the wind is howling from west, but... oh well.

Astronuc: 300+... kind of makes you wonder about how many years this has taken off the life of infrastructure such as highway overhangs...

 

[turbo]

Very warm and wet today. It is exactly 32 deg right now, and the rain is freezing on contact with the pavement. My wife got me up early this morning to tell me that she had skidded off the road and into a snowbank. We waited for a plow-truck to pass through, spreading salted sand, and then I drove her down to her car and returned home to get my tractor. I dug her car out as best I could and dragged it out of the ditch with the tractor. Luckily, she had only gotten a couple of miles from home, because by the time she was out and on her way to work and I had gotten back home I was chilled to the bone by the freezing rain. No cab and no heater. Maybe I should have paid a little extra.

 

[Astronuc]

Very warm and wet today. It is exactly 32 deg right now, and the rain is freezing on contact with the pavement. My wife got me up early this morning to tell me that she had skidded off the road and into a snowbank. We waited for a plow-truck to pass through, spreading salted sand, and then I drove her down to her car and returned home to get my tractor. I dug her car out as best I could and dragged it out of the ditch with the tractor. Luckily, she had only gotten a couple of miles from home, because by the time she was out and on her way to work and I had gotten back home I was chilled to the bone by the freezing rain. No cab and no heater. Maybe I should have paid a little extra.

I'm glad she was alright. Be careful going out in the cold like that. There were some buried cars in NY City during one of thoes big snow storms. They apparently recently found a body in one of the buried cars - after the snow melted.

One March morning many years ago, we had icy rain and the roads got covered. The main road was closed due to accidents and ice. I took a side road to by-pass the closed portion of the main road. I got to a point though where there was a little rise, and the only way to get up the rise was to be going fast enough to get to the top without needing traction! The car in front me didn't make it, so I had to stop half way up. Meanwhile some idiot wasn't paying attention to the situation and got close behind me. I got out of the car and started slipping on the ice. I told the car behind to back up, because I was concerned my car would slide downhill into his. He backed up. I then backup while turning so that the rear of the car went into a snow bank. Then I actually slid the front of my car around to point down hill! I ended up taking the side road further south.

It did occur to me that if I had had a shovel, I could have simply chopped through the ice to the pavement. The ice layer was about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick, and it was on a thin layer of compacted snow. If I could break through the ice, I could have moved it off the pavement and gotten traction. But I didn't have a shovel.

Anyway, it's 49 F today, so more melting. It was in the mid-50's yesterday. However, it's supposed to cool off again over the next several days.

 

[turbo]

I'm glad she was alright. Be careful going out in the cold like that. There were some buried cars in NY City during one of thoes big snow storms. They apparently recently found a body in one of the buried cars - after the snow melted.

Thanks. Apparently, she had an exciting ride, since she ended up pointing opposite her direction of travel, and her car was thoroughly buried in the ditch. There is very little solid stuff to hook onto with modern cars, so I dug out her car as best I could before towing her out of there. The Legacy is a nice little car and the last thing I'd want to to is bend a critical structural member by applying too much force. She took only main roads all the way to work and called me once she got there. Most people at her place of work live much closer than she does, but she ALWAYS makes it to work, even in the worst conditions.

 

[dlgoff]

I couldn't believe it got up to 75 yesterday. I hope that doesn't make the trees bud too early because next week is suppose to be back to winter temps.

 

[dlgoff]

Thanks. Apparently, she had an exciting ride, since she ended up pointing opposite her direction of travel, and her car was thoroughly buried in the ditch

Those driving conditions would have been a good reason for me not to go to work. Glad she and you are okay.

 

[turbo]

I couldn't believe it got up to 75 yesterday. I hope that doesn't make the trees bud too early because next week is suppose to be back to winter temps.

We had an unseasonable warm-up early last spring, and that took my apple trees out of dormancy before I had gotten a chance to prune them. NOT good. I've got a double-dose of pruning to do this year, with some suckers that are already 2 years old. The weather is showing us some pretty wild swings the last few years, and that's making gardening, apple-growing, etc, a bit problematic.

 

[turbo]

Those driving conditions would have been a good reason for me not to go to work. Glad she and you are okay.

Thanks. It's a point of pride and diligence that she refuses to miss work due to normal weather fluctuations. In this case, she lost control on a steep hill that is shaded all day long from the sun and stays frozen all winter, with some impressive frost-heaves.

Our neighbor's daughter called the school-bus driver who told her that she had tried to get out onto this back road and found 4 vehicles off the road, and conditions so slippery that she refused to make her run until the road crew had salted and sanded the roads enough to make them safe for "her kids".

Part of the delay was probably due to the fact that we have a new plow-truck driver this year, and he was unprepared for conditions, including needing time to put chains on the truck.

 

[nismaratwork]

Thanks. It's a point of pride and diligence that she refuses to miss work due to normal weather fluctuations. In this case, she lost control on a steep hill that is shaded all day long from the sun and stays frozen all winter, with some impressive frost-heaves.

Our neighbor's daughter called the school-bus driver who told her that she had tried to get out onto this back road and found 4 vehicles off the road, and conditions so slippery that she refused to make her run until the road crew had salted and sanded the roads enough to make them safe for "her kids".

Part of the delay was probably due to the fact that we have a new plow-truck driver this year, and he was unprepared for conditions, including needing time to put chains on the truck.

Wow... losing control on a steep hill... FUN! Your's is the only state I've ever skidded-out in.

 

[Astronuc]

Thanks. Apparently, she had an exciting ride, since she ended up pointing opposite her direction of travel, and her car was thoroughly buried in the ditch. There is very little solid stuff to hook onto with modern cars, so I dug out her car as best I could before towing her out of there. The Legacy is a nice little car and the last thing I'd want to to is bend a critical structural member by applying too much force. She took only main roads all the way to work and called me once she got there. Most people at her place of work live much closer than she does, but she ALWAYS makes it to work, even in the worst conditions.

I spun out one time between two lanes of cars and ended up going backwards on the shoulder. I hit some ice or slush on the road while going ~ 50 mph. The traffic ahead was stopped! My rear started sliding around and I lost traction. I was lucky.

Another time, I spun out on a curved exit ramp when I hit ice. I then proceeded to slide down the ramp backwards. Fortunately, I did not slide out into the intersection and crossing traffic. I stopped at the bottom of the ramp. Exciting way to start the day.

 

[Evo]

Turbo, glad your wife is ok. Driving on icy roads scares me, it's also the reason that after I moved north I switched from a stick to an auto transmission. Sitting on icy hills with a stick was just too scary. Some people say they prefer a stick in that situation, I just feel like I have less control trying to move forward when I'm sliding backwards.

 

[turbo]

Turbo, glad your wife is ok. Driving on icy roads scares me, it's also the reason that after I moved north I switched from a stick to an auto transmission. Sitting on icy hills with a stick was just too scary. Some people say they prefer a stick in that situation, I just feel like I have less control trying to move forward when I'm sliding backwards.

Thanks. That's one reason that she insists on a standard transmission, though. Control of shift-points. I was thinking about maybe getting her a new Legacy last year, but Subaru had gone to larger wheels, AND a 6-speed tranny (more shifting and clutching). We'll wait a bit and see what shakes out. I'd like to buy a 2nd automatic Forester for her, like mine, but she's more comfortable in the Legacy. I must admit that with aggressive snow-tires and studs it handles much better than my Forester in winter conditions.

 

[nismaratwork]

I spun out one time between two lanes of cars and ended up going backwards on the shoulder. I hit some ice or slush on the road while going ~ 50 mph. The traffic ahead was stopped! My rear started sliding around and I lost traction. I was lucky.

No... You're... UNBREAKABLE! ... and yes... I just referenced an M. Night Shamalamadingdong movie.

Another time, I spun out on a curved exit ramp when I hit ice. I then proceeded to slide down the ramp backwards. Fortunately, I did not slide out into the intersection and crossing traffic. I stopped at the bottom of the ramp. Exciting way to start the day.

Um... have you ever considered a treaded vehicle?! Please stay alive...

 

[turbo]

No... You're... UNBREAKABLE! ... and yes... I just referenced an M. Night Shamalamadingdong movie.


Um... have you ever considered a treaded vehicle?! Please stay alive...

You might be confusing Mr. Astro with Chuck Norris. There are similarities...

 

[nismaratwork]

Thanks. That's one reason that she insists on a standard transmission, though. Control of shift-points. I was thinking about maybe getting her a new Legacy last year, but Subaru had gone to larger wheels, AND a 6-speed tranny (more shifting and clutching). We'll wait a bit and see what shakes out. I'd like to buy a 2nd automatic Forester for her, like mine, but she's more comfortable in the Legacy. I must admit that with aggressive snow-tires and studs it handles much better than my Forester in winter conditions.

So help me, I've still never driven stick in my life, and given my age I have no excuse. Seriously though, having been to Maine in winter, I find it hard to imagine anything short of those monsters they ride around McMurdo station would help. I would guess it's all driver skill and knowing the roads, and the limits of whatever vehicle you're driving.

You need to ride IVAN! (not Seeking, don't worry). http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ivan_the_Terra_Bus.JPG

 

[nismaratwork]

You might be confusing Mr. Astro with Chuck Norris. There are similarities...

 

[turbo]

You should spend a bit of time with Astro. He can eat more food than Chuck Norris, and then ask if there is anything else. Not kidding!

 

[nismaratwork]

You should spend a bit of time with Astro. He can eat more food than Chuck Norris, and then ask if there is anything else. Not kidding!

I believe it, I've seen the pic! He looks like a good dog.

 

[turbo]

I believe it, I've seen the pic! He looks like a good dog.

Astro is not the dog. That's Duke. Astro can out-eat Duke on his best day. Guaranteed! And Astro's son can rival him in capacity. Couple of skinny guys who can put away more food than you'd ever expect.

 

[nismaratwork]

Astro is not the dog. That's Duke. Astro can out-eat Duke on his best day. Guaranteed! And Astro's son can rival him in capacity. Couple of skinny guys who can put away more food than you'd ever expect.

OOOOOH ASTRO-NUC.

Sheesh... did I mention that names and dates are more than a small weaness?!

Sorry Astronuc, I did NOT intend to call you a dog... although I consider "good dog" to be the highest compliment... it's the best for a dog. Heh...

So Astro can put it away eh? DEFINITELY Kabanosy... maybe a whole spread with some cheese and mustard. You can eat the Kabanosy, AND make soup with it... and it sounds like that last is needded just to fill belly-space!

It's always the skinny ones...

edit: It just registered: Astronuc can out-eat DUKE?! Whoa...

 

[rhody]

Thanks. Apparently, she had an exciting ride, since she ended up pointing opposite her direction of travel, and her car was thoroughly buried in the ditch. There is very little solid stuff to hook onto with modern cars, so I dug out her car as best I could before towing her out of there. The Legacy is a nice little car and the last thing I'd want to to is bend a critical structural member by applying too much force. She took only main roads all the way to work and called me once she got there. Most people at her place of work live much closer than she does, but she ALWAYS makes it to work, even in the worst conditions.

turbo,

Just read your post, glad to hear it was nothing serious, and that you were able to get her car out of the ditch, and I can imagine trying to hook onto the front or rear tow hooks must be a real challenge when the car is buried in snow. I see you and nismara are bonding with your confusing dog eating habit stories so I will bow (wow) out for now. Glad you are ALL OK.

Rhody...

 

[AlephZero]

I spun out one time between two lanes of cars and ended up going backwards on the shoulder. I hit some ice or slush on the road while going ~ 50 mph. The traffic ahead was stopped! My rear started sliding around and I lost traction. I was lucky.

I once saw somebody do the ultimate version of that trick in the UK on a 4-lane road with a center crash barrier. It was still snowing, the traffic was keeping one lane clear but the other lane was covered in snow and slush.

I was the last of two or three cars driving along the clear lane at a boring but safe 30 mph. Somebody came up behind is traveling at the around the speed limit (70) and changed lanes to overtake. This caused a slow 360 degree spin. He overtook me and the other cars traveling backwards up the outside lane, and having finished the spin disappeared into the distance accelerating back up to 70.

A nice demonstration of Newton's laws of motion, unless you were of a nervous disposition

 

[dlgoff]

You might be confusing Mr. Astro with Chuck Norris. There are similarities...

Oh Yea. I've seen some of his profile pictures over the years.

 

[Astronuc]

I once saw somebody do the ultimate version of that trick in the UK on a 4-lane road with a center crash barrier. It was still snowing, the traffic was keeping one lane clear but the other lane was covered in snow and slush.

I was the last of two or three cars driving along the clear lane at a boring but safe 30 mph. Somebody came up behind is traveling at the around the speed limit (70) and changed lanes to overtake. This caused a slow 360 degree spin. He overtook me and the other cars traveling backwards up the outside lane, and having finished the spin disappeared into the distance accelerating back up to 70.

A nice demonstration of Newton's laws of motion, unless you were of a nervous disposition

That must have been something to witness.

Right now the wind is roaring in the trees on the hill behind the house. We're expecting 40+ mph winds with gusts up to 55 mph.

 

[nismaratwork]

That must have been something to witness.

Right now the wind is roaring in the trees on the hill behind the house. We're expecting 40+ mph winds with gusts up to 55 mph.

Same here... with possible light hail, and torrential rain, moving east. Astronuc... do we live in the same area?! (if so, don't say so here, PM or not at all please)

 

[turbo]

Right now the wind is roaring in the trees on the hill behind the house. We're expecting 40+ mph winds with gusts up to 55 mph.

Please! May this be the first piece of storm-crap to miss us in a while. We seem to be in the target of everything that happens in the south.

 

[Astronuc]

Same here... with possible light hail, and torrential rain, moving east. Astronuc... do we live in the same area?! (if so, don't say so here, PM or not at all please)

We're in the same region. I'm west of you. Same system.

 

[nismaratwork]

We're in the same region. I'm west of you. Same system.

Oh! In that case... Holy explative deleted... it's really getting quite interesting isn't it?

 

[turbo]

Oh! In that case... Holy explative deleted... it's really getting quite interesting isn't it?

It sucks to be us...

 

[nismaratwork]

It sucks to be us...

Oh you love it too... admit it.