What is the snow like in NOVA? (school, closing)

[ajzjmsmom]

Ewwww, not looking forward to the rest of this week, 9 yrs of about 325 days of sun each year tends to make one not like cloudy, dreary days. I am keeping my fingers crossed that any major snowfall happens after Feb 12th, when I am gone. I am cold already and it isn't even cold yet.

[arielmina]

sounds like paradise for me moving from New England! I love having 4 seasons, but HATE winter!!

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

How "severe" would the storm have to be to expect a potential snow day for the Federal government? Is anything over 4" in depth a good bet? Freezing rain? I'm trying to plan my snow days out early!

You're more likely to get a delayed opening than a day off. More often it's liberal leave, which isn't too hard to get. But, if you see snow/ice outside make sure to check OPM's website first thing in the morning. Half the time we'd be able to come in 2 hours late and most of my friends didn't know until they got to the office and couldn't find anyone. About 2 1/2 years ago we closed early while I was interning at the DoD, the next year we got a delayed opening or two, and nothing last year.

[normie]

Now watch... after we get ourselves all psyched up and prepared for heavy snows Mother Nature will pull a fast one and winter will end up being mild after all.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by normie

Now watch... after we get ourselves all psyched up and prepared for heavy snows Mother Nature will pull a fast one and winter will end up being mild after all.

When I was in school I used to be able to predict the winters pretty accurately, but I don't know if it's the extra 150 miles south or just climate changes that make me not able to do it any more.

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by arielmina

sounds like paradise for me moving from New England! I love having 4 seasons, but HATE winter!!

Coming from nothern Maine, NOVA is nice... if only you could get rid of the people. The problem is when you cram 2 million drivers into a situation where 1 million are scared to death, .5 million are too stupid to be scared, and .5 million have no license. The result is deadlock, panic, and foolish risk-taking. The roads are plowed OK here and ice is addressed timely. Many people don't have snow tires so approaching any incline or stop light can be a nightmare. Then of course you have all the yuppies driving their SUV's that don't understand that they don't handle like cars and the 4x4 doesn't make them stop any faster.

My best advice: Don't drive if you don't have to. Drive when the masses are too frightened to drive, like before the govt workers have to report to work on a late arrival day (I got to work in half the time using this technique). Get snow tires. Be patient.

As far as the “Little House on the Prairie Syndrome” (stocking up for the long winter before every storm), that happens in Maine too.

[michgc]

Originally Posted by normie

Now watch... after we get ourselves all psyched up and prepared for heavy snows Mother Nature will pull a fast one and winter will end up being mild after all.

That would be just fine with me.

[michgc]

Originally Posted by bangorme

Coming from nothern Maine, NOVA is nice... if only you could get rid of the people. The problem is when you cram 2 million drivers into a situation where 1 million are scared to death, .5 million are too stupid to be scared, and .5 million have no license. The result is deadlock, panic, and foolish risk-taking. The roads are plowed OK here and ice is addressed timely. Many people don't have snow tires so approaching any incline or stop light can be a nightmare. Then of course you have all the yuppies driving their SUV's that don't understand that they don't handle like cars and the 4x4 doesn't make them stop any faster.

My best advice: Don't drive if you don't have to. Drive when the masses are too frightened to drive, like before the govt workers have to report to work on a late arrival day (I got to work in half the time using this technique). Get snow tires. Be patient.

As far as the “Little House on the Prairie Syndrome” (stocking up for the long winter before every storm), that happens in Maine too.

I was in Maine several years ago for work. I was working in education and had to visit a school up there on a Monday morning. Sunday night there was a big storm and it ended up closing school. I assume the schools don't close easily up there unless it's a pretty big storm. I was really worried because I had to drive to Massachusetts to visit another school the following day. I waited a few hours and then headed out. And boy was I IMPRESSED! Every road was clear - I mean really clear. There were no reckless drivers; no one stuck on the side of the road; it was like it had just been a little snowfall. Northern Virginia drivers and road crews can learn a few things about clearing snow and driving in the snow from you Mainers!

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by michgc

I was in Maine several years ago for work. I was working in education and had to visit a school up there on a Monday morning. Sunday night there was a big storm and it ended up closing school. I assume the schools don't close easily up there unless it's a pretty big storm. I was really worried because I had to drive to Massachusetts to visit another school the following day. I waited a few hours and then headed out. And boy was I IMPRESSED! Every road was clear - I mean really clear. There were no reckless drivers; no one stuck on the side of the road; it was like it had just been a little snowfall. Northern Virginia drivers and road crews can learn a few things about clearing snow and driving in the snow from you Mainers!

Let's be fair to NOVA, those roads were probably almost vacant when cleared of ice and snow. Also, this time of year, most people in Maine are from Maine and are experienced winter drivers. Very few ... "outa statahs" around then to muck things up.

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by normie

Now watch... after we get ourselves all psyched up and prepared for heavy snows Mother Nature will pull a fast one and winter will end up being mild after all.

I'm going to change the oil and put gas in my snowblower... which practically guarantees little or no snow. (It was a gift from my in-laws, who live in NY, and I thought we'd never use it - but our corner lot is narrow and long, and it's a pain to shovel that much sidewalk!)