Question regarding weather (house, living in, store)

[from nv]

How do VA residents cope with living in a state that has snow? I mean, some people choose to live in cold weather states, others in warm weather states. I have always lived warm/hot temps, such as the desert and beaches, myself. But now, I'm faced with the fact that we will be moving to NoVA from the Vegas area, where I know it will have snow at some point during the year. Do you just learn to live with snow, or do you ever consider moving to another state which doesn't get any or as much snow? I think I'm nervous about moving there because I don't know what to expect.

Thanks!

[Caladium]

Most winters our snows are wimpy. We usually get one, maybe two moderate storms each winter and otherwise it's clear. Some years we get none at all. Heavy snows can happen, but are rare. So it's not that hard to learn to live with it. If it gets to be too much, it's easy to hop a flight to a Caribbean island.

[cb at sea]

Even folks who live here don't "do" snow well! We don't get measurable snow often...drips and drabs, usually, so when a "big one" falls, most of the folks around here have no clue what to do! Grocery store shelves empty....folks don't move their cars off the streets, so plows can't clean up (and we don't have many plows...at least, not like folks farther north do!) and pretty much everything shuts down for days.

Of course, when it DOES snow, everyone wants to move! But, not everyone can just "pick up and go"....families, jobs, etc...tend to keep you tethered in place!

Our summers may shock you, too....you're used to low humidity...come summer, this is the "armpit" of the country....the NoVa area is low lying and the humidity soars! It's not uncommon for 95 degree days to feel like 103.......when it's humid, that is HOT! (I've been in Vegas when it was 110, and while that is hot, it's not oppressive!!!)

But, you get used to it...both the humidity and snow (when we have it!!!)

[from nv]

When it snows there, is it comparable to what you'd see on tv like when they show NY or Chicago? Like where there's tons of snow and everyone drives along like they know what they're doing? Or is it more of a crawl through the snow? And how well do they plow the roads/freeways?

Humidity!! Yikes!! At least it'll be nice to enjoy the four season weather again. Living in the desert is sometimes the pits, too.

[jillabean]

Snow isn't so bad really. When I lived in Southern California to hear weatherman talk there you'd think live piranha falling from the sky would be preferable to snow. Generally it can be a bit slick on the roads until it's cleaned off (which will vary depending on the snow) and it's a pain shoveling it off your driveway. But then you have sledding, snowball fights, snowmen and all the fun stuff snow brings too! Plus, sometimes you get a bonus day off work or at least get to work from home (depending on your employer).

And yeah, humid weather is worse.

EDIT: to answer your question, my experience growing up out here and living in a SoCal (which is close enough to Nevada in climate I think), they only showed the worst of the worst and kind of sensationalized things a bit. If you have no experience driving in snow, you might end up being a better driver than the people who are too used to it (and forget how slick it can be).

[statecollege]

I retreat to my underground bunker, where the Glenn Beck survival kit sustains me for several days.

[Kembek]

If I were you I'd be more concerned about the hot, humid summers in NoVa. In a word: ick.
I've lived here for 47 years. I can remember many winters when we never saw a flake. We've had our share of bad snow storms, but for the most part they're literally here today and gone tomorrow. And, no, I never think about living in a warmer climate (see my first paragraph).
FYI - fall is the best season here, IMO.

[Northbound81]

Winters are much better than the hot humid summers, take my word for it. Snow is magical and beautiful and you can go outside sledding.

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by from nv

How do VA residents cope with living in a state that has snow? I mean, some people choose to live in cold weather states, others in warm weather states. I have always lived warm/hot temps, such as the desert and beaches, myself. But now, I'm faced with the fact that we will be moving to NoVA from the Vegas area, where I know it will have snow at some point during the year. Do you just learn to live with snow, or do you ever consider moving to another state which doesn't get any or as much snow? I think I'm nervous about moving there because I don't know what to expect.

Thanks!

We moved here last summer from NM and the posters who say the humidity is the worst are right, I know for us in NM when you stand in the shade even in 100 degree weather you can still get cool, here in 90 degree humid weather there is no escape except the pool, your air conditioned house or car.

The snow is not to bad but people do tend to get excited and probably the biggest problem is that some still think they can drive the same way they drive when the streets are dry. The snow is really pretty for the first day or two and then it gets old really quick.

Whatever you do try to come with an open mind.

[Winter2010]

I think the weather is great right now.