The US is far too diverse for this to have a meaningful answer. There are places that close down at any hint of winter weather, and there are places where it is common place and not thought of at all.
this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2025
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It really depends on where you are in the US. In some states, it's just another day, in other states it can be a major disaster.
Here in Portland, we've closed schools because it LOOKED like it was going to snow. It never actually DID, but was close enough.
Meanwhile, cities in the North East are like: "Pfft... 3 feet? Put on your jacket..."
I'm originally from the Midwest and was living in Virginia when it snowed about a foot overnight. Looked like nothing to me, but I didn't realize the infrastructure back home was much more capable of handling snow.
Plows and salt trucks were out any time it snowed and the streets would always be cleared by the morning. The only time we ever canceled school was for very cold temps (-20 F or so) and for heavy snow that outpaced the snow plows.
The foot of snow in Virginia caused the entire area shut down because they couldn't handle it as well.
That's the joke I tell about Portland "You know, the city TRIES! First sign of snow? Both of our plows are out there making the roads safe!"
Yeah, that was part of the huge clusterfuck in Texas a few years back. They had no infrastructure for dealing with weather that other states like MN shrug off, and that's why they failed so hard. That, and eschewing the larger power grid.
My friend in NC was off work today because of 5" of the fluffiest snow I've ever seen
It was nice to uncovered a car by just brushing it off. It's funny but this has been the first time that I recall being in NC during snow and it not being a big issue. It's specifically because 1) they prepared for it and brined the hell out of the main roads here, and 2) it's not doing what it usually does and melt a bit to refreeze into solid ice the next day (although to be fair tomorrow will be the test). But the high in the Triangle was 28, so short of any spots that got compressed a lot into ice, it seems to be a non-event unlike our meme of snowmageddon from a number of years ago.
Haven't had a blizzard in awhile, but we have had them so we're prepared. Salt trucks come, then plowing after it snows and then more salt.
Personally I try and stay inside a lot? For some reason as I've gotten older my ability to endure cold has gone from world class to fucking non existent. It hurts just breathing outside (it was 20F today)
It hurts just breathing outside (it was 20F today)
I'm fine with 20°F, but I'm kinda like that around about -10°F.
That's why I said my ability is just gone these days. I use to be fine to very cold temperatures but not anymore. It sucks!
Avoiding the fires and the severe cold here in San Diego. It did drop down close to freezing last night, so I had to cover the plumeria and avocado trees.
Up north, this just "the winter".
Cold
Same as a thunderstorm: you stay inside if you can, dress for the weather if you can't, and drive slow with your headlights on.
Not too slow though. There's caution and there's "I am not comfortable driving, so I will go so slow it causes an accident".
If regular traffic is going 40 and you're going 10 but no brake lights, it's dangerous for other drivers.
Anyone going 40 in a blizzard is already driving dangerously.
There are blizzards and there are blizzards.
If 40 isn't safe to drive, you probably shouldn't be on the road in the first place. For the non-white out, heavy snow variants, too slow is just as dangerous as too fast.
Not so good if you live below the Mason-Dixon line where they've never figured out how to plow the snow properly.
Why make any big investments in plows and other equipment when we had no measurable snow last year nor I think the year before? Last night we got a nice coating of snow and my street was already totally clear today by noon, with no effort from the town. We only get snow here that won’t be fully melted from the streets within 2 days (other than some very shaded areas) maybe once or twice a decade.
Woke up to 15°f (-10c) today. Pretty damn cold. I just hunker down and stay cozy in the house. I do take my dog to the dog park after work which is a treat in the summer and a major slog on these kinds of days. He loves the snow though so it keeps me motivated to get him out there and playing with his husky best friend.
If it has been in the forecast for a few days you take some time to prepare a bit. Gas up your car, get any last minute shopping done etc so you don't have to go out if you can help it. Schools will probably close for a day but workplaces will expect you to give yourself enough time because we all saw it coming.
Lake Effect snow from the Great Lakes is a common thing in my area. We don't get nearly as much as the Buffalo area but forecasts can be real hit or miss. So sometimes a random snow squall will just roll in and dump an inch or three in a few hours. In that case my workplace will be a bit more forgiving about delays but schools will probably stay open.