[Michigansnowflake]

When I lived in Se Mi (yuck) schools close with 4-5 inches of snow and I never questioned it.

Up here, we can get 6,7,8 inches of snow over night and the schools will not close.........now I am questioning the easy closure of the schools downstate.

Downstate everything is flat, everything is close together and can be plowed easily.

Up here, everything is hilly, no guard rails ,less or no salt on the roads, kids living back in the woods with trecherous long rides on the bus.....but still, school goes on.

We closed twice this year, both were for wind chills well below zero with 40+ mile an hour winds, we just dont close for snow easily, we cant, its here for too long.

I never realized how wimpy SE MI is when it comes to snow.......ya cant site the record snowfalls either, cause up here we had 160+ inches, more than downstate, even with the records being broken

[JimmyInGreatLakes]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

When I lived in Se Mi (yuck) schools close with 4-5 inches of snow and I never questioned it.

Up here, we can get 6,7,8 inches of snow over night and the schools will not close.........now I am questioning the easy closure of the schools downstate.

Downstate everything is flat, everything is close together and can be plowed easily.

Up here, everything is hilly, no guard rails ,less or no salt on the roads, kids living back in the woods with trecherous long rides on the bus.....but still, school goes on.

We closed twice this year, both were for wind chills well below zero with 40+ mile an hour winds, we just dont close for snow easily, we cant, its here for too long.

I never realized how wimpy SE MI is when it comes to snow.......ya cant site the record snowfalls either, cause up here we had 160+ inches, more than downstate, even with the records being broken

While flat might seem less dangerous, it also promotes a lot of drifting snow and formation of icy roads. Perhaps that's one reason it occurs as you say.

[MICoastieMom]

Having worked in the schools in SE Michigan, part of the reason for closing schools is safety. Significant numbers of students are walkers, as opposed to more rural areas where students normally have bus transportation. When temperatures dip down, there is a danger of frostbite. Plus there is no guarantee the walks will be shoveled, or salted. Partly it is a liability issue, partly it is that some families, for whatever reason, do not have proper clothing for children to be out in such conditions. I am not trying to start a debate, just stating facts.

[suydam]

There is also more traffic in SE Michigan.

When you have snow on the roads in Metro Detroit, you have millions of people and 100s of 1,000s of cars trying to get from point a to point b. That creates massive traffic jams and accidents. I'd rather my kids stay home when it's like that, thank you very much.

[kimba01]

Of our 4 or 5 snow days, I think at least three were for the cold. My daughter is not one so lucky to be able to take a bus as we are just under the two mile limit-still a long way in subzero weather at 6:30 am.

Good point on the traffic too, some people don't know what to do when they see a flake or more and some think that just cuz they have 4 wheel drive they can fly on ice-round the corner into a bus stop of children.

Basically, just a different setting. Tennessee closes the town in an inch!

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by suydam

There is also more traffic in SE Michigan.

When you have snow on the roads in Metro Detroit, you have millions of people and 100s of 1,000s of cars trying to get from point a to point b. That creates massive traffic jams and accidents. I'd rather my kids stay home when it's like that, thank you very much.

And there ya have it.

The number one reason for the school closings.

We actually had a "fog" day in 1982 (Brighton, MI).

[Michigansnowflake]

Well, I am not quite buying the traffic thing. I would rather go down a street that hasnt been plowed but 100 cars have gone down already vrs going down my dirt road that hasnt been plowed, being the first car out there.

Its a bit more squirrely going down an unplowed road, twisty and hilly, no guard rails, and no ones tire tracks to follow.....there were so many mornngs we woke up to a fresh 6-7 inches and still coming down. I thought sure the schools would be closed, but heck no.....life goes on in the great white north....

I am not going to debate though, I have lived both places,,,the North definetely gets the prize for getting around in the snow!

[djmilf]

Ah, but you're missing the point...

Where you live, you see a pair of tire tracks made by the hundred cars that have already passed through. You don't see those hundred cars.

In SE Michigan, you don't see the tire tracks, but you do see the two hundred cars because they are still there, backed up due to the traffic accident a mile ahead.

It's worse on the freeways, where there are more like a thousand cars. Those cars with bald tires creep along at 15 mph in the right lane while SUVs zoom along in the next lane at 60 or 70 mph...until those SUVs need to get into the right lane, and discover the difference between travelling in the snow at 70 mph and stopping in the snow at 70 mph.

[Michigansnowflake]

Originally Posted by djmilf

Ah, but you're missing the point...

Where you live, you see a pair of tire tracks made by the hundred cars that have already passed through. You don't see those hundred cars.

In SE Michigan, you don't see the tire tracks, but you do see the two hundred cars because they are still there, backed up due to the traffic accident a mile ahead.

It's worse on the freeways, where there are more like a thousand cars. Those cars with bald tires creep along at 15 mph in the right lane while SUVs zoom along in the next lane at 60 or 70 mph...until those SUVs need to get into the right lane, and discover the difference between travelling in the snow at 70 mph and stopping in the snow at 70 mph.

I bet 100 cars dont go by my road in a week! I LOVE it!

[kimba01]

I think I would be worried with my kids on the buses making those turns and twists. Obviously the school admins don't agree. Have you voiced your thoughts to them?