Winter closing down the UK

[new2alembic]

Here in Kentucky they use rock salt sometimes mixed with sand. And, believe or not, they now pre-treat the roads with beet juice. Yes, the juice from vegetable. Rock salt alone is only effective at temperatures at or above 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Beet juice enhances it to make it effective at temperatures 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

[richbass939]

In Colorado we just get ready for the snow because we know it will get here.  With the right temperatures it doesn't take much snow to cause problems.  We got 1 inch of snow last night and the roads were slick this morning.
Most of the last few years Denver got dumped on in some spring storms.  There were several times that it got between 2.5 ft and 4 ft (depending on what part of the metro area you were in) in a single storm.  The foodhills outside of town got up to 7 ft.  Last winter the pass near Steamboat Springs set a record with 585 inches.
The liquid and solid deicers are just a necessary evil.  They corrode everything they touch.  But drivers demand dry roads as soon as the last snowflake hits the ground.  Being able to get from the cities and airports to the ski resorts is so critical to the Colorado economy that they do what they have to do to keep the roads clear.
The Colorado Dept. of Transportation is looking at a budget cut from $1.3 billion down to $0.8 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.  I guess we'll wait and see what happens.
Rich

[keith_h]

When I lived in Berthoud, CO they used pea gravel instead of sand on the roads. When strong winds would come down out of the mountains it would pick that stuff up and really do a number on your cars paint job.  
 
Keith

[bsee]

Terry, what you describe is a phenomenon that occurs in fringe areas where there is a small amount of snow falling a few times a year or less.  New England doesn't really notice if there's less than six inches falling, but the Washington, DC area gets ugly when an inch falls.  
 
The areas that get more snow have invested in the infrastructure to clear the roads quickly and efficiently.  Areas that see an inch a year don't bother because it will typically melt the next day.  Drivers in snowy areas are used to it and capable of handling the conditions safely.  Meanwhile, people who only see the occasional flurry either turn complete chicken and slow things down or pay it no heed and skid into their neighbors.

[jacko]

Sadly, the 4 foot drifts forecast didn't happen in central Scotland. A pity as I love the snow. It's one of the reasons I moved to Scotland; to be nearer the mountains. This time of year is when I sharpen up the axes and crampons and head for the hills at weekends. Who needs the alps when we have this..
 

 
Graeme

[glocke]

When I lived in Missoula MT, nothing ever closed down due to snow...they never even heard of snow days...
 
Now that I am back in eastern PA, even a few flurries freak people out.

[terryc]

Well  I hate the snow & cold, I am a summer person, that is why I loved florida when I went there on holiday, warm even in the winter months.
Warm spring & hot summer days so I can get out on my Honda Fireblade, which is now prepared for winter - on the paddock stands, battery saver plugged in and covered over in a locked garage until April.

[white_cloud]

I love the snow and ice also! My front door is only four miles from the shore of Loch Lomond and I am surrounded by stunningly beautiful landscapes!
 
That combined with my love of hill walking suddenly brings back into focus my reasons for living in this part of the world!
 
John.

[3rd_ray]

I love the snow, but hate the cold!  
 
Mike