[arel]

There's a winter storm watch for Thursday thorugh Friday morning. Several forecasts predict a major storm with snow, ice and sleet. Only the CNN.com forecast predicts only cloudiness for Friday, and maybe it just hasn't been updated. The track is not certain, though, so maybe it won't snow. We dodged the bullet last weekend, although there was a flurry Sunday night.

Bummer. Normally, I like snow, but I'm planning to drive down to Stamford on Friday for a conference. Even with my new, studded snow tires, and my new identity as a Vermonter, I'm anxious about driving on I-91 in such conditions. Not to mention the Cross and the Merritt in Connecticut.

How long does it take to clear up the Interstate in Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut? I have read reports that roads up here in Vermont have been more slippery than usual this year. There have been lots of weather-related accidents.

Any suggestions? Should I take the train on Friday? Should I plan on an 8 hour drive at 20 mph? Should I wimp out and stay home? I don't want to do that. I am attending an important conference that I really don't want to miss. Maybe I should hitch a ride with my friend, who is 75 and fearless. She has lived in Brattleboro for 20 years and is used to the winter driving conditions up here. But, if I travel as a passenger, I have NO control over the car, which is anxiety-producing in itself.

In New York, I could usually take the subway if I didn't want to drive. But that's not an option now. My inner New Yorker is not pleased.

[flu189]

Don't think it really going to be a major storm, but then again slick roads and poor visibility could be a factor. You will have to wait as we get closer to see how the forecast develops. As far as highway crews respond, it will vary from state to state and conditions at the time. Only you know your own comfort level so the decision will be yours as more information develops. Last year in December I had a pretty slow trip up from Mancheter NH due to falling and blowing snow. Sometimes it's better to pull off and wait for the plow and then continue. Just don't follow the plow or the strobe lights will make the ride even harder. Also, make sure you do have a snow brush and also decing fluid. Your wipers will have a tendancy build up ice in certain conditions and you will want to periodically clean off your taillights to be able to be seen by trailing traffic.

[mustmove]

Should have been here last year. Ayup.
We learn by doing.

[harry chickpea]

<sigh>
If we had prior knowledge of major storm events in earlier years, we would have acted accordingly.

Have you considered going early and staying over?

[arel]

Well, the conference starts Saturday morning at 9. That means that if the roads are clear by Saturday morning, I can leave at 6 am. I do not trust myself to be out of the house by 6 am. And I have a hotel reservation for Friday night. Fortunately, a friend from New York is sharing the room with me for the weekend, and so I will only lose half the cost of the room if I don't make it up Friday night.

Going up Thursday night doesn't make sense if the storm is going on.

I can go up any time on Friday, but I'd prefer to go in the daylight. I want to see the road conditions clearly, and I also enjoy the view.

Maybe I should take my AAA guide with me, in case I need a motel on the way down. Unlikely, but possible. Just thought of that.

With my new, studded snow tires, I had good traction Sunday night. But there was only a little snow and the trip was only about 10 miles. I didn't lose a whole lot of time by driving more slowly. I started out feeling anxious, but I became more confident as the trip progressed. I was still glad to get home.

Just as new angels have to earn their wings, I guess new Vermonters have to earn their ayups.

[ex-springfielder]

I was born, raised and lived over fifty years in Vermont and never spoke a single ayup, or heard anyone else say it. Apparently it's a phrase transplanted flatlanders are trying to popularize. Of course with the exodus of young people and the influx of well-to-do flatlanders maybe more people will say ayup. Vermont does a good job keeping the roads clear and with a front wheel drive car and new studded snow tires you will seldom have a problem although you will have to drive a lot slower than on clear roads and usually during a storm the interstate is down to one lane and someone always insists on driving 20 miles per hour and holding up everyone behind them so plan extra time accordingly.

[GypsySoul22]

You 'could' take the train (Amtrak) but that thing is so darn slow...zzzzzz.
I can't imagine what it does in the snow.

Good luck.

I hate driving in the weather as well. Always did thanks to nervous parents putting their phobia on me. So I basically 'hate' the winter until I learn to get out and suck it up.

Being unemployed I don't HAVE to go anywhere right now but I 'should.' It's adding to my anxiety big time.

My husband is pretty brave and he works nights so he comes and goes in all conditions that just stress me out.

[Lilybeans]

You just have to play it by ear. That's all you can do. Plan to go, and if conditions are bad, don't leave until they are better. Sometimes it's bad in VT and okay down south, and sometimes it's good in VT and terrible in CT. The roads, at least in VT are usually clear in a day or less, but there is never any guarantee.

[GypsySoul22]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

You just have to play it by ear. That's all you can do. Plan to go, and if conditions are bad, don't leave until they are better. Sometimes it's bad in VT and okay down south, and sometimes it's good in VT and terrible in CT. The roads, at least in VT are usually clear in a day or less, but there is never any guarantee.

This is very true. One day it's horrible, the next day clear and lovely and you wondered "Did we really have such a bad storm? Look at that sky..."

[mustmove]

Storms are awesome they slow life down to the VT essentials- Warm fire and hot cocoa. Plus the local snowrelocation economy gets a big boost. Bring on the storms. Everything is so pretty covered in mounds of white. Last year the snow on one side of the house was up to the eaves made it much easier to get up to the the dormer side and shovel. Plus we get a real white Christmas sledding and skiing with my kid. Let it snow let it snow let it snow.