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Old January 17, 2018   #1711
bower
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I saw an image of the "polar air" over North America at Accuweather last night. Feel for you guys, especially in the South where you're not used to it nor prepared for it!
We have full crews employed with snowplows and trucks full of sand/salt mix to make it possible to drive in the winter.
The advice to stay home and don't drive anywhere is 100% correct!
Also, what some folks may not know - the road salt is not effective below a certain temperature. If we have icy conditions with temperatures below about -8 C road safety measures don't work so well. So even for those who are used to and prepared for winter, road safety deteriorates in a "polar cold" situation.
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Old January 17, 2018   #1712
Worth1
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I was prepared and use to it.
Can't count how many times we had to bring a new born calf into the house to warm up in zero weather in the middle of the night.
The last time it was sub zerof one in the morning and I drug the mom and the baby on a sheet of plywood with an open tractor in sleet and high wind.
17 years old.
Sounds like a wild story but it's true.
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Old January 17, 2018   #1713
Black Krim
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Worth. Totally beleive you. A friend got hit hard in the midwest some years ago loosing a number of calves due to extreme weather. Me personally, have had a lamb or 2 running around the kitchen. THe last two were booted out of the house when the littlest jumped out of crate, on my chair, over top of PC and landed on me sleeping on the couch.LOL Time to move out of the house, lol
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Old January 17, 2018   #1714
bower
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Worth1 View Post
I was prepared and use to it.
Can't count how many times we had to bring a new born calf into the house to warm up in zero weather in the middle of the night.
The last time it was sub zerof one in the morning and I drug the mom and the baby on a sheet of plywood with an open tractor in sleet and high wind.
17 years old.
Sounds like a wild story but it's true.
Worth
LOL, reminds me of one time I had to crawl over ice on all fours with a pan of fresh water to bring to the dog, in 70 kph winds. Only about 80 feet all told round trip, but when I got back in the house I called work and said I will not be in for the day. Day OVER.
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Old January 17, 2018   #1715
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It was 13F at DFW airport this morning. 8F here at the house. The car doors were frozen shut. Not a record by far, but still burr.
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Old January 17, 2018   #1716
taboule
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Quote:
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... Also, what some folks may not know - the road salt is not effective below a certain temperature. If we have icy conditions with temperatures below about -8 C road safety measures don't work so well.
Around town here we have trucks that spray some kind of (alcohol?) mixture at times of very cold weather. Looks weird to have wet surfaces in such cold.
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Old January 17, 2018   #1717
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Beet juice and cheese brine are two things added to rock salt to increase its effectiveness in cold weather.
http://time.com/5761/salt-shortage-t...-alternatives/
Dutch
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Old January 17, 2018   #1718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch View Post
Beet juice and cheese brine are two things added to rock salt to increase its effectiveness in cold weather.
http://time.com/5761/salt-shortage-t...-alternatives/
Dutch
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Old January 17, 2018   #1719
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We went grocery shopping at the local HEB store. They are sold out of their brand of milk, creamer, and butter. A sign says on the milk cooler - "Temporarily out of stock." Trucks are having problems getting the product up here because of the cold weather/ice.
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Old January 17, 2018   #1720
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Such odd storms we have had to be so much colder so far South.
It isn't wimpy at all. We are so much better prepared up North. I heard
the salt truck at 2am, then the plows kept up and roads are clear. 30º and
just 3 inches of snow. Maybe drop to 15º tonight. Hit the 50's this weekend.

Much worse when I lived in NewOrleans in cold temps with no insulation, pipes
running outside homes, cracks in our floor boards showing the soil beneath.
Wimpy gas heaters. Never been so cold. (..and so darn hot/humid in the summer
where a simple candle would bend and droop)

Here I have a heated Milwaukee vest and two battery packs. A CanadaGoose coat
for Arctic climates and they hand out foot and hand warmers like penny candy at
work. At home two boilers, back-up generator, dry wood and a fireplace for a
second-second back-up....snow tires. Cars running off the road left and right but
My Mini has no trouble.

As long as the home is warm a bit of snow is lovely. More than 3"
can be a nightmare. No need to shovel at all with warmer temps
on the way. Fingers crossed...
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Old January 17, 2018   #1721
taboule
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Oakley, very nice picture. Belongs in the "black and white" thread.
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Old January 17, 2018   #1722
clkeiper
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11°f on the way home from church tonight. brrr!
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Old January 18, 2018   #1723
Worth1
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So cold in the house the butter wont get soft.
Worth
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Old January 18, 2018   #1724
AlittleSalt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oakley View Post
Such odd storms we have had to be so much colder so far South.
It isn't wimpy at all. We are so much better prepared up North. I heard
the salt truck at 2am, then the plows kept up and roads are clear. 30º and
just 3 inches of snow. Maybe drop to 15º tonight. Hit the 50's this weekend.

Much worse when I lived in NewOrleans in cold temps with no insulation, pipes
running outside homes, cracks in our floor boards showing the soil beneath.
Wimpy gas heaters. Never been so cold. (..and so darn hot/humid in the summer
where a simple candle would bend and droop)

Here I have a heated Milwaukee vest and two battery packs. A CanadaGoose coat
for Arctic climates and they hand out foot and hand warmers like penny candy at
work. At home two boilers, back-up generator, dry wood and a fireplace for a
second-second back-up....snow tires. Cars running off the road left and right but
My Mini has no trouble.

As long as the home is warm a bit of snow is lovely. More than 3"
can be a nightmare. No need to shovel at all with warmer temps
on the way. Fingers crossed...
This cold spell has reminded me of the places that need fixing in our drafty house.
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Old January 19, 2018   #1725
clkeiper
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I just saw today om the noon news that 24 years ago today was the coldest on record for here. -20°f. and I don't remember it. how astounding. every winter is the coldest to me. it is like child birth... once its over it is a vague memory.
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