Ohhhh the south!

Divine0chaos · January 2014

We're a military family, and I'm originally from CT hubby MD. So everyone freaking out about 20 degree weather is hilarious; especially with the huge snowstorm up north. Every time I see or hear people about preparing I mentally bang my head against the wall lol! Wish I was back up north enjoying the snow! Our family tradition was to always order Chinese, and us kids shovel haha! Stay warm ladies!

TheBeeCharmer · January 2014

I know! We have 16 inches, gusty winds and negative temps (non windchill). We were visitingmy family in Georgia when they got 1/4 inch and the newscasters were telling everyone to "Stay safe" and not to drive...

kat8805 · January 2014

Meh. I'd kill for 20 degrees. My phone says it's -4 here in southern IN, before the ~25mph winds bringing the temp with windchill down in the -30's. I think I'll be talking DH into moving to Texas when he mom retires. We'll drag her and e entire extended family along with if we have to... But I don't *do* winter.

kat8805 · January 2014

Meh, even in MD, where I was born and raised, where weather happens regularly, they all go BSC and can't drive. People lose their minds and their common sense and wind up in a ditch like its their job.

dogsombrero · January 2014

I'm in NE and it's not snowing but it is -9 with a windchill of -30 right now. It's just ridiculous!

pandadair · January 2014

Trust, we feel the same way about people who bitch about "the heat" when it hits the 90s. I don't really consider Texas "the south", but many in this area did actually get hit with that ice storm a few weeks ago. Freezing rain and snow ain't the same thing. You can ask the 8 or so people in Oklahoma who died because of the dangerous driving conditions after roads that instantly ice over.

kat8805 · January 2014

Oh NE. You poor soul. On top of the literal BFE status, you get horrendous winter weather, horrendous summer heat/drought, and tornados.

LUCKY22 · January 2014

pandadair said:

Trust, we feel the same way about people who bitch about "the heat" when it hits the 90s. I don't really consider Texas "the south", but many in this area did actually get hit with that ice storm a few weeks ago. Freezing rain and snow ain't the same thing. You can ask the 8 or so people in Oklahoma who died because of the dangerous driving conditions after roads that instantly ice over.

I was going to say the same thing...

spacepotatoes · January 2014

kat8805 said:

Meh, even in MD, where I was born and raised, where weather happens regularly, they all go BSC and can't drive. People lose their minds and their common sense and wind up in a ditch like its their job.

Sounds just like where I live.

kat8805 · January 2014

spacepotatoes said:

kat8805 said:

Meh, even in MD, where I was born and raised, where weather happens regularly, they all go BSC and can't drive. People lose their minds and their common sense and wind up in a ditch like its their job.

Sounds just like where I live.

It's an epidemic really. Bad driving spreads like warm butter.

sunshine608 · January 2014

LOL. I love it. I'm in GA and the grocery stores near me were emptied of bread,milk and beer last night.

It feels like anytime there is the mention of snow or ice people here freak out. I think its a combination of being hit before like the ice storm we had three years ago and there not being enough salt/sand trucks and stuff to do anything about it We also don't have the gear for this. I had to go and pull out a jacket I haven't worn since 2004.

CamrynnsMommy · January 2014

I'm in Nebraska also. -8, wind chill -27. No snow. This state blows!

babyaotw · January 2014

I moved from WI to OK, and people are always complaining here. They are either too hot or too cold. DH and I feel like they get the best of both worlds, mild winters and dry, hot summers. I do forgive the bad winter driving though, it's hard to get experience when snow/ice is so infrequent. I'd probably be nervous too if I hadn't grown up with it 5-6 months a year.

MrsLeanna · January 2014

I'm in Miami, it's in the 80's today. I cannot relate at all!

ksyknelvr73 · January 2014

Well you have to remember though that we don't get weather like this very often, if ever. We rarely get snow and we rarely have temps this low - I live in GA and our low tonight is 8 degrees which is a record low for us. So yeah it seems kind of silly to those who are dealing with negative temps and hypothermia warnings, but for us it's a big deal - no one here is prepared to deal with or experienced in dealing with super cold temps and especially not snow since we barely ever get any. It would be different of course if we had it happen more often!

caballo718 · January 2014

It was a lovely 55 degrees this morning in NYC. But tomorrow is only going up to 14 plus wind chill. It can be worst though. The Midwest is friggen freezing!

hfooter · January 2014

In Oregon people can't handle the heat or the cold. And even though it rains almost constantly people still don't know how to drive in it!

I'd welcome a snow storm here. People go crazy and it's kind of funny to watch. Same when it gets in the 90s, people flip shit as if the earth is being swallowed into the sun.

pandadair · January 2014

hfooter said:

In Oregon people can't handle the heat or the cold. And even though it rains almost constantly people still don't know how to drive in it! I'd welcome a snow storm here. People go crazy and it's kind of funny to watch. Same when it gets in the 90s, people flip shit as if the earth is being swallowed into the sun.

I like that analogy. I was in Vegas this last summer during their 125* heat wave, and I'm pretty sure that's exactly what that felt like. A blast furnace to the face.

jenb_99 · January 2014

It does seem silly, but we don't get low temps very often, and our houses aren't built and insulated for cold weather. We really do have to prepare for it, by wrapping pipes and covering outdoor faucets, etc. Our plants also aren't hardy for cold weather, so those of us in the South who want to keep our gardens alive have to cover and winterize the plants too. It's a lot of work.

Not to mention we don't have a lot of sand/salt trucks in the South, so when it ices, delivery trucks can't get to gas stations or grocery stores, so we have to buy gas and groceries ahead of time.

Divine0chaos · January 2014

Yeah I'm so far south in ga it's about a 10 min drive to fl lol! Now I know for example living here your body gets use to certain temps. I can relate on the 90 omg hot, to me that's a norm in the summer >.< after living here for 3 years but even I don't think 20 degrees is something to freak out about lol -.-

sisterjanet · January 2014

jenb_99 said:

It does seem silly, but we don't get low temps very often, and our houses aren't built and insulated for cold weather. We really do have to prepare for it, by wrapping pipes and covering outdoor faucets, etc. Our plants also aren't hardy for cold weather, so those of us in the South who want to keep our gardens alive have to cover and winterize the plants too. It's a lot of work.

Not to mention we don't have a lot of sand/salt trucks in the South, so when it ices, delivery trucks can't get to gas stations or grocery stores, so we have to buy gas and groceries ahead of time.

It blew my mind the first time someone explained that the reason some of the 'southern' people freak out about snow and cold weather is because they don't necessarily have snow plows, salt trucks, good insulation, and in some cases even heaters in their houses. (...Does that really happen, that there are places in the US where the houses don't have heaters, or was that person pulling my leg?)

I've driven in snow at least twice before the plows were out and it was a crazy/dangerous adventure, so it makes more sense that people freak out if they don't have all the snow infrastructure like we have in the north.

jenb_99 · January 2014

@sisterjanet The heater thing is real. We have at least a couple of low-income and elderly deaths in the area each year due to cold exposure, as well as incidents involving space heaters and generators.

Most of us don't think about winter until we're in the middle of an ice storm and it's too late to do anything but stay inside and wait it out. It's crazy how many people here (Dallas/Fort Worth) don't even own heavy winter coats or gloves. And even when we know weather is coming, we don't think to buy things like salt and de-icer ahead of time. And covering cars with tarps before snow? Psssh. I don't think I've ever seen it.

Now, ask us about getting ready for summer and we can give you a huge list of preparation steps you probably wouldn't even think about. But snow and ice absolutely cripple us.

oscarwao · January 2014

Im in Orlando. Today was in the 70s but tomorrow the high is 48. Last Friday it was in the upper 40s as well. No one really panicks here when it's cold (Practically no one who lives in Orlando is from Orlando) but it is concerning for the kids at my low income school who have a 30 minute wait between bus drop off and the school opening (quite a few homeless kids with no jackets).

Being from Florida though I'm not fazed by heat and humidity, and I get the same feeling from people who freak out when they come down for vacation in August and it's steaming hot. Conversely, it can actually get too cold to swim here and people are equally pissed if they get to a resort and can't use the outdoor pool. Crazy FL weather!

oscarwao · January 2014

Haleighkay90 said:

MrsLeanna said:
I'm in Miami, it's in the 80's today. I cannot relate at all!
Gah!! So jealous, I'm in the panhandle and it's cold!!

I grew up in northern ohio so I feel like I should be able to handle any cold weather Florida throws at me but 20 feels very cold when it's been 10 years since you've lived up north! Haha

Florida cold can be a humid and wet cold I think - which can be pretty miserable no matter where you're from!

NorthernGal248 · January 2014

I live in Alaska, we regularly hit 40 below in the winters. I do find it somewhat entertaining when people freak out about a few inches of snow and and freezing temps. However, keep in mind that they are not prepared for this kind of weather at all.

We have winter tires and heating pads on all our cars. The city/state is equipped to have snow plowed, ice grated, and gravel on the roads before the average person takes off towards work. We are also used to driving on ice and snow, so we know what to do if the car begins to slide or spin. Those who do not have experience can end up in the ditch and hurt, so often times it is just easier for people to stay home.

MamaCheez · January 2014

I don't know how the south does it with the heat. I'd die. I like warm, even hot, but when you can cook an egg on the sidewalk, or your tires melt on the pavement, i'd probably cry like a little girl. I'm originally from Chicagoland and live in Rhode Island now, and i still cannot deal with winter either. I'm a big baby.

Divine0chaos · January 2014

Idk being from up north I feel like northern cold is worse, but my experience is with it and running. When running up north in the cold it takes your breathe away, but down here I'm still able too. Then in the summer running up north is perfect, but down south the humidity gets to my breathing making it more labored because the air is thick!

AugustGlass · January 2014

I guess I don't get what's entertaining or funny about it. I don't find it amusing when most of the country complains or struggles with intense heat and humidity just because I'm used to it.

To echo what others have said, there aren't many plows, or roads that are salted, no one has snow tires for their cars, etc. So no, it doesn't take much ice on the roads (or your street, or your own driveway) before you're stuck.

runningyogimama · January 2014

A girl on DD's BMB said they just cancelled schools tomorrow where she is in the South because of the "extreme cold."

Extreme cold = 20.

I think the thing they say down there to that would be, "bless your heart."

TheBeeCharmer · January 2014

Well, I live in Antarctica and I think it's hilarious when people complain about less than 50 inches of snow and anything warmer than -50.

oscarwao · January 2014

JmeJme said:
A girl on DD's BMB said they just cancelled schools tomorrow where she is in the South because of the "extreme cold."

Extreme cold = 20.

I think the thing they say down there to that would be, "bless your heart."

I wish my school would cancel tomorrow. A ton of my kids are zoned too close for the buses and will be walking without adequate clothing. I'll be at the school early to give coats from our school closet to kids who don't have them (homeless, transient kids, etc). The only upside to it is that
At least they get fed if they come to
School.

oscarwao · January 2014

Divine0chaos said:
Idk being from up north I feel like northern cold is worse, but my experience is with it and running. When running up north in the cold it takes your breathe away, but down here I'm still able too. Then in the summer running up north is perfect, but down south the humidity gets to my breathing making it more labored because the air is thick!

True on the running! When I visit family up north I'm a strictly treadmills girl, haha! On the flip Marathons here never happen after April really, thank god.

kat8805 · January 2014

AugustGlass said:

I guess I don't get what's entertaining or funny about it. I don't find it amusing when most of the country complains or struggles with intense heat and humidity just because I'm used to it. To echo what others have said, there aren't many plows, or roads that are salted, no one has snow tires for their cars, etc. So no, it doesn't take much ice on the roads (or your street, or your own driveway) before you're stuck.

I'm sorry, you sound offended?

I'm honestly baffled still by the MD drivers, who experience snow, ice, sleet *every* winter and have road crews prepared to deal with it, and still act like the sky is falling. They do the same in the rain as well, even tough the state typically has average rainfall and even hurricanes/tornadoes. Not entertained, because the people who can't drive in anything but rainbows and sunshine cause more death and accidents than most.

I'm glad some southerners have pitched in with logical reasons as to why it can get crazy for them in this weather, without being butthurt about it. We're all grown ups here.

pandadair · January 2014

kat8805 said:

AugustGlass said:

I guess I don't get what's entertaining or funny about it. I don't find it amusing when most of the country complains or struggles with intense heat and humidity just because I'm used to it. To echo what others have said, there aren't many plows, or roads that are salted, no one has snow tires for their cars, etc. So no, it doesn't take much ice on the roads (or your street, or your own driveway) before you're stuck.

I'm sorry, you sound offended?

I'm honestly baffled still by the MD drivers, who experience snow, ice, sleet *every* winter and have road crews prepared to deal with it, and still act like the sky is falling. They do the same in the rain as well, even tough the state typically has average rainfall and even hurricanes/tornadoes. Not entertained, because the people who can't drive in anything but rainbows and sunshine cause more death and accidents than most.

I'm glad some southerners have pitched in with logical reasons as to why it can get crazy for them in this weather, without being butthurt about it. We're all grown ups here.

Probably because it gets obnoxious. I made an effort not to sound annoyed in my post, but it is... annoying. Sort of like if I came on here all "LOL Northerners, why are you freaking out about heat waves? People around here know how to deal." when it's something that people actually die from. We get it, you think we're dumb because we don't magically have the infrastructure and experience to deal with getting iced over and it's easier to cancel things for a day or two than take the risk.

As far as closing stuff due to "extreme cold" when it's in the 20's... that you can make fun of.

ETA: Not "you" you, just in general. I hear it from multiple people every damn time it happens.

AugustGlass · January 2014

kat8805 said:

I'm sorry, you sound offended?

I'm honestly baffled still by the MD drivers, who experience snow, ice, sleet *every* winter and have road crews prepared to deal with it, and still act like the sky is falling. They do the same in the rain as well, even tough the state typically has average rainfall and even hurricanes/tornadoes. Not entertained, because the people who can't drive in anything but rainbows and sunshine cause more death and accidents than most.

I'm glad some southerners have pitched in with logical reasons as to why it can get crazy for them in this weather, without being butthurt about it. We're all grown ups here.

Not offended, just giving my two cents. A couple of posters had specifically said that it was entertaining, I said I didn't get why.

runningyogimama · January 2014

In the Midwest we deal with extreme cold and extreme heat. -40 windchill today, temps and heat indexes can get to 110 and horrible humidity. I guess we should be offended when anyone complains about any weather ever instead of joining in.

For reals, though, out of all of the things in the world to get offended by....

Kmbaybay · January 2014

Oh ya-- we were supposed to get down to the single digits today-- made it down to 31*. school is delayed tomorrow, 3 hrs, for the kids that have to wait at bus stops- however teachers still have to be in and run a regular schedule for those parents that have to drop their kids off bc of work.

raeg13 · January 2014

As a northern transplant in the south, this used to drive me crazy but I actually get it now. It's not about how cold or snowy it is, it is about how unprepared they are for this type of weather. I mean, my school has a 2 hr delay tomorrow because it's going to be in the teens and/or single digits. I get it because my students don't have proper jackets and clothing for that type of weather. If it snows or ices, there are no salt plows to make the roads safer (but there are sand plows, which I just don't get. What a mess).

kat8805 · January 2014

Sand can be useful on ice too. And for anyone in the south who can't seem to find "melting salt" in stock, try the farm store/mill. Livestock salt works just as well to melt ice and is usually cheaper in 50lb bags.

Edit for tablet spelling...

sisterjanet · January 2014

@jenb_99 Why would anyone put a tarp on the car in icy/snowy weather? Wouldn't the tarp just freeze down in a car shape? (I feel like the dimwit guest on some Discovery channel weather special or something.)

sisterjanet · January 2014

Wait, it just occurred to me, do cars in the southern/hot states not have ice scrapers in them? (I still don't entirely get how the tarp would help, but that's all I can come up with.)

Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not even sure where ice scrapers come from, it just seems like there's at least one in every car. I've never actually had to procure one, and yet my particular car has two. If you don't have snow plows it seems reasonable you wouldn't have ice scrapers, but thinking of a car without an ice scraper is a little like trying to fathom a place where faces don't have noses and it's just normal. The diversity of regional weather prep is blowing my mind today.

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