Little Ol Ice Storm here in N Texas

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Looks like the ice will be pretty much gone by noon around here,, melting fast with the sun out and skies clear. All the TV stations going APE in DFW over 1/4 inch of ice!! (at least schools were sensible in closing and not putting kids at risk!)

[Teddington]

As a yankee born and bred but Texan by choice, my decision today was easy. I was up at 5AM, into the office by 6AM when virtually nobody was on the road. Our office won't even "open" for another hour, assuming they come in then. Ice is not fun for anyone but much better when you don't have to share the road with a bunch of crazies. I had one guy come to a complete stop in the middle of a bridge, I guess because I was coming up behind him (but in another lane)!! No idea what that was about.

On the other hand, I fully support clsoing the schools and recognize the hardship that puts on parents, especially when the daycare is closed, too. That's why 2 of my employees will work from home today with my blessing. They won't be as productive at home but they'll be safer.

[brad]

Yankees have to remember the reason why we shut down is that we don't have the equipment necessary to clear the roads down here.. it makes no sense to keep and maintain it when it only happens at worst a couple times a year and when it does, it all melts by the end of the day.

Without plows and salt trucks, the North would shut down, too.

[CaptainTom]

Having lived most of my life in upstate New York, I found the slight inconvenience of some ice and slush on the road amusing.
At least there weren't crazies (other than me) out driving around.
If you don't have experience in the slippery conditions, stay home.
If you do have experience, you know how to be safe and you know how to handle your vehicle on hills, at stops, etc.

[SaSha]

I start off for work at 12:00 thinking it will be really safe, some guy in front of me spins his truck 180 on a main street, there was still ice in the shaded area, lucky for everyone he missed all of us.
What Tom said for sure.

[flatlander22]

Oh man, I had someone cancel a shoot because of the weather here in Austin! So funny. I'm originally from Missouri where it is currently snowing....Anyhow, be safe out there in this weather. Texans are scary on the ice. :)

[Whumbahcumba]

Texans are scary drivers anyways.

[toverman]

Snow is one thing ... what many northerners are used to. Ice is another. No matter how much traction you think your car has when it's moving, braking on ice is going to be another game entirely. My Subaru does very well on snow and ice when all four wheels are getting power, but it's only as safe as the idiot in the next lane.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by toverman

Snow is one thing ... what many northerners are used to. Ice is another. No matter how much traction you think your car has when it's moving, braking on ice is going to be another game entirely. My Subaru does very well on snow and ice when all four wheels are getting power, but it's only as safe as the idiot in the next lane.

No argument. In fact, us Yankees prefer the snow because it does have more traction. We also get ice storms. Most of the time, the snow melts on the road and freezes at night. "Black Ice". Northerners are much better in the ice because we have unfortunately gotten much more experience in how to stay in control and not get out of control.
How many times have I heard some idiot state that he could drive faster because he had four wheel drive. What he needed was four wheel STOP.

[debbry531]

When I lived in Connecticut during graduate school, I used to make sure to wipe the snow away from license plates so everyone could see the Texas and make sure to give me wide berth. It worked.

[BigC]

It was an interesting drive home from work this morning. But then it helps if you only have to go Three miles. :)

[johnastovall]

Much ado about nothing here in Dublin. Just got cold (19) and mist iced up car windshields but roads were dry and just a dusting of sleet.

[brad]

Let's not forget that your experience driving in this up north is on plowed roads and salted bridges. Two things you do not get here. That's not even mentioning snow tires and chains.

And I don't think accidents are less frequent when it does this in the North... its just that it happens so often up there, its not news.

[andyz]

Another reason for some closings is energy usage, or so I was once told. Large users get a discount when they agree to curtail their usage during peak periods, like well below freezing. That provides plenty for other users.

And I agree that there is a huge difference between ice and snow. Still, as was noted above it is often the other guy you really have to worry about. He "knows" how to drive on this stuff.