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If you never lived where it snows and were moving North to where it does snow, what would you have liked to have known? What would you do to prepare?

top 24 comments
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[–] smackjack@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

From the top of my head:

Everyone forgets how to drive when it first snows. Try to avoid driving as much as possible during the first few days of winter.

Stick to busy roads if it recently snowed as they get plow priority, and the heavy traffic will help pack down the snow which will make it less slippery.

Fresh snow is a heck of a lot more slippery than snow that fell a few days ago.

4 wheel / all wheel drive is great, but you don't actually need it. If your car has traction control and a good set of tires, then you've got everything you need to drive in the snow with confidence.

Snow tires are a worthy investment. People think that you don't need snow tires if you have all seasons, but there's no comparison to tires that are specifically made to be driven in the snow.

The posted speed limit is for ideal weather conditions. If there's snow on the ground, then that's not ideal, and you need to drive slower than the speed limit if you want to be safe and not fly off the road. One time a car passed me and about 2 miles later I saw that exact same car in the ditch. You don't want to be that person. If you are that person, then everyone that passes you will be silently judging you while you sit there and wait hours for a tow truck because 30 other people all did the exact same thing at the exact same time.

Not really snow related, but cars with old batteries have a really hard time starting when the weather is at or below zero. If your battery is more than a few years old, it might be time to get a new one.

Bridges will freeze before anything else when the temperature gets below freezing. Just because the roads aren't slippery doesn't mean that any bridges you go over will be the same.

[–] weariedfae@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Not necessarily about fresh snow. Old snow packs down into hard, slick ice and sometimes fresh snow gives you way more traction. Depends on the temperature.

[–] greenshirtdenimjeans@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Keep one of those brush/scraper things in your car.

Clean the snow off your car before driving.

CLEAN THE SNOW OFF YOUR CAR BEFORE DRIVING

All of it

If it is going to be a lot of snow, don’t wait until it is over before you start digging out.

Salt/pet friendly ice melt for your walkways

Have a snow blower? Don’t wait until the day before to see if it still runs. Make sure you have gas for it

Slow drip on a faucet to prevent pipes from bursting

I'd add that, while not strictly required, one of those total car snow covers really does come in handy: https://www.amazon.ca/kayme-Waterproof-Protection-Automobiles-Universal/dp/B09FLKGLCW

[–] mp3@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Clothing

  • Make sure to have a good winter coat, neck gaiter, hat, gloves and boots. Staying warm and dry is important.
  • Hand warmers can be handy if you expect to be outside for a while. There are several variants (chemical, reusable, rechargeable)

Driving

  • Winter tires. It may seems like an extra expense, but it will make your summer/all-season tires lasts longer. In some provinces, they are mandatory for residents (ex: Quebec)
  • Make sure to clear the snow from the car, INCLUDING the roof (aka don't leave a snowhawk). Keep that snow brush in the trunk.
  • Make sure to keep your windshield washer fuild filled.
  • Have a small snow shovel just in case you get stuck in snow.
  • Keep one of those metallic safety blanket, and those emergency candle in case you get in an emergency.
  • A car battery booster might come in handy. A drained battery isn't fun.
  • Drice defensively, it's easier to lose control of the vehicle.

Homeowner

  • A good shovel to clear out the driveway isn't a luxury
  • Some sand in a bucket with a lid, to put over ice patches when it gets slippery. You don't need to put a lot, just enough to not fall.
  • Be sure to keep the temperature above 18°C. If the temp inside the building drops too low, ice can form in water pipes, and you can imagine the mess it can make when a pipe bursts.
[–] MeThisGuy@feddit.nl 1 points 2 months ago

Make sure to keep your windshield washer fluid filled.

and make sure it's winter grade fluid (rated for freezing temps)!
I once had summer stuff in there (doesn't smell as bad because no anti-freeze) and as soon as I turned the wiper spray on the whole window froze over and I couldn't see shit while I was driving.
scary shit!

[–] Etterra@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Keep in your trunk the following: a portable snow shovel, an ice scraper, a window snow brush, a spare set of gloves, one of those emergency mylar blankets, a little spray-bottle of deicer, an extra jug of wiper fluid.

[–] Vanth@reddthat.com 1 points 2 months ago

There's more to know if you plan to drive a car.

Four-wheel drive helps to accelerate in icy conditions, it does not help braking.

Make slow, careful changes when it's snowy or icy. Slow down more than you normally would to take a turn. Give yourself triple the distance to slow to a stop. Don't turn hard.

Use windshield wiper fluid appropriate for freezing temperatures.

Put any rage or impatience aside and get to where you're going safely.

If you live in a place that clears the streets and you don't have to go anywhere, consider staying put. Wait a couple hours until the streets are cleared.

If you'll be driving somewhere more remote, have clothes and boots appropriate for the weather in case your car breaks down or gets stuck and you have to walk. I also keep a jug of water, flashlight, and blanket/sleeping bag in my trunk during winter for this reason.

[–] Allero@lemmy.today 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Stack up on basic meds for when you catch cold. You're likely to have it a lot, it's kinda normal.

Also, if you're gonna live in an area with central heating, make sure heaters in your home are fully operational and don't need to have air removed. They should be hot all throughout their surface.

[–] Reyali@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago

Many people mentioned clearing ALL the snow off your car, but I didn’t see people mentioning why. Here are some videos to elaborate how terrifying and dangerous it can be when people don’t do that.

One, two, three, four

It takes a lot of energy to clear the car off, but it’s critical. Don’t be the person that harms someone else just to save a bit of time and effort.

[–] Nollij@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago

A lot of people have pretty well covered how to drive in snow and ice, but here's a little secret they won't tell you:

  • Over the summer, the locals forgot how to drive on snow, too.

The first big snow will bring the car fairy to sprinkle wrecked cars along the side of the road. Most of these are given by people with plenty of experience driving on snow.

Stay home that first time. If you absolutely must drive, be the one going too slowly. After that, you can kind of do as the Romans do.

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Drive slowly on snow. 90% of driving works just fine so long as you go slow. And that doesn’t mean 35 in a 40 zone. That means 10 in a 40 zone.

Drive super fucking slow on snow, and you’ll be fine.

People who come from warmer climates to snow always fuck this up, and it’s so simple. I think there’s a pride thing involved. So just get over your “I can do this” pride, and drive ultra slow.

At least at first. You can speed up a little once you get a sense of what makes the car slide, but to start with just go ultra ultra slow.

[–] SirSamuel@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So you're the dickweed out on the roads doing 10 mph in the snow.

Stay home

Some of us know how to drive in the snow

(Slow on ice is acceptable, but if it's an ice storm, stay home anyway. No reason to wind up in a ditch because you wanted Twinkies)

[–] Ookami38@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Slow down in general. You ain't the good guy here, crying over someone driving slowly IN THE SNOW.

[–] SirSamuel@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

I'm not out there tailgating people and passing, but I'm sure as hell wishing they'd piss off back home and let those that know how to drive get where they're going

I don't care what you think, and I'll die on this ditch.

HILL! This… damnit

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If you’re not slowing down in the snow, you don’t know how to drive in snow.

[–] SirSamuel@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

You have to go faster to get on top of the snow. Like a speedboat. Especially in a rear wheel drive vehicle. I recommend the Dodge Viper

(/jk, in case it wasn't obvious)

All jokes aside, there's a vast difference between driving slower in inclement weather and doing 10 mph in a 40, as the top commenter suggested. Now, was my original comment a bit of a shitpost? A little tongue-in-cheek? Sure!

At the end of the day, we just want to get home safe. But if conditions are bad enough to be doing 1/4 of the speed limit just to be safe? Stay home. People that drive that too slow in the snow are just as dangerous as those that drive too fast. And it's not just ability, but equipment as well

[–] Red_October@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

When there's snow on the ground, drive like you have an open cup of coffee in your lap. Turn, brake, or accelerate too hard and you spill steaming hot coffee on your bits. Winter tires will help a lot, but drive like you don't have them.

[–] PsychedSy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Find an empty parking lot before it snows. Verify there are no obstacles in it or find a large area with no obstacles. Wait until it snows. Hit that bitch up and learn about how your car handles and how to recover when you fuck up.

Make sure to bring a shovel and maybe some boards or whatever others suggest in case you get yourself stuck.

[–] neomachino@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

My wife and I were once at a day long event a few hours north and it snowed pretty heavy. Didn't even think about the car until we walked up to see the tires almost completely covered. It was late and the whole town pretty much shut down, so all I had to use was a window scraper.

Definitely keep a shovel in the car.

[–] Akuchimoya@startrek.website 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Ask a local to show you some of their winter clothes or to take you winter clothes shopping. Your warmest clothes right now are not warm enough. Capacitive touch gloves will let you use your phone.

If you have a car, get a snow brush and ice scraper (for windshield and windows). There is winter windshield fluid, get and use it when it's snowing. Get winter tires, it makes a difference. Insurance companies give a discount for having them. If there's snow on the road, go slower than you think you should, and start braking at least twice as early as when it's dry. Accelerate and brake slowly. If your car is sliding on ice, resist the temptation to keep pressing your brakes, try your best to steer the slide instead.

If your car gets stuck in snow and you need to run it to keep it warm, make sure the tail pipe is well clear of snow (carbon monoxide). Keep an emergency blanket, hat, gloves in the car in case of breakdown. If the wheels are stuck in a snowbank (just spinning in place), some sand or non-clumping cat litter can give you traction. You can sacrifice your floor mats for this, too.

If you walk instead of drive, consider crampons for your boots for if it gets icy out.

There's different textures and density to snow. Wet snow is dense and heavy, dry snow is light and fluffy. Shoveling can be very different depending on the snow. Lift/push with your legs, now with your arms or back. Take breaks if needed.

If you wear glasses, they will fog up when you go from outside to inside. Sorry. You could get anti-fog stuff used for snow and ski goggles, but most normal people just wait for them to warm up.

A scarf makes a big difference.

Wool can keep you warm even when wet.

Be prepared for power outages especially if the area does not bury power lines. Heavy snow, or worse, ice, can make tree branches heavy and fall and snap power lines. If this happens, be mindful of carbon monoxide. People, families have died trying to keep warm by running generators, stoves, etc indoors without proper ventilation.

Snow reflects sunlight; wear sunglasses if the sun is out and there's snow on the ground.

Go outside and listen when the snow is falling. It makes everything quieter and it's really ice to hear.

Snow that's warmed slightly then frozen again is crunchy and fun to walk on.

If you're north enough, the sunlight will not be sufficient for creating vitamin D. (Plus you'll probably be indoors more, less daylight in general.) Consider a supplement.

Consider a SAD light if lack of daylight affects your moods.

[–] irreticent@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Go outside and listen when the snow is falling. It makes everything quieter and it's really ice to hear.

Somehow that typo works in this context. Ice.

Snow that's warmed slightly then frozen again is crunchy and fun to walk on.

It's "ice" to walk on.

Jokes aside, thank you so much for the information. I don't live where it snows but I learned a lit about how to survive if I ever need to. Thanks again.

[–] berryjam@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

Aside from all the practical tips... It's very pretty at night -- snowglow. Also sledding is super fun and can be done for cheap/free.

[–] BorgDrone@lemmy.one -1 points 2 months ago

Cycling through fresh snow is fine, it’s the snow that has been driven over and compacted that’s really slippery.

When you ride over the slippery icy stuff, don’t brake hard, don’t make any sudden turns. Better to just stop pedaling and let your bike roll. Watch out for hard frozen ridges of snow.

Usually the cycle paths are salted early, it’s the part from the busy cycle paths to your front door and the last bit to your destination where you have to watch out.

Snow dampens sound so be careful around cars, you might not hear them coming. If you wear a coat with a hood it might be more difficult and annoying turn your head, resist urge to not look when crossing roads.