A repeat of last winter!

[humeston]

Yikes, this stuff is scary for someone from Florida. My family here have been advising us to buy shovels, ice melt and so forth. I've been visiting the area for decades and until recently the winters have been mild, especially snow related. But last year was insane. Thanks everyone for your tips. Going shopping tomorrow!

[nordicwanderer]

I'm super excited.
What I need, differently than last winter are:
1) better shovel
2) roof rake
3) Better winter tires on my AWD car.
4) Studded tires for my 4x4 truck.
5) A longer recovery strap (for my truck).

[goldenwings]

Originally Posted by LillyLillyLilly

Get your ice melt now. Be aware that some types will kill grass adjacent to walkways.

Buy covers for your outdoor spigots.



If you have a roof without a good pitch, get a snow rake or some other way to get heavy snow off.

Make sure you have shoes and boots with good traction. When the snow starts to melt then refreezes like it did last year it gets super slick.

For sure. And you might want to get that long extendable snow rake before winter because it sold out so fast last year. The prediction of a harsh snowy winter for 2017 is based on the Farmers Almanac and darn it if they arent usually right

[Sandpointian]

Originally Posted by lesharona

Again tonight on the news they are predicting another Mega Winter like last year. I guess I better go purchase a better snow shovel than the one I used last year. I am not looking forward to doing this again!

As long as we start things in mid November, I am board!

[volosong]

From Accuweather:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weath...ecast/70002894

US winter forecast: La Niña to fuel abundant snow in Rockies; Bitterly cold air to blast Midwest

[most of article snipped]

Abundant snowfall to bury Northwest, Rockies

With a weak La Niña predicted to develop this winter, the Northwest and the Rockies are set to receive an abundance of precipitation.

“I think the Bitterroot chain all the way down to the Wasatch region in the central and northern Rockies has a good shot to be above normal on snowfall this season,” Pastelok said.

Looks like it's gonna be like last winter.

[IdahoBroker]

Three other suggestions to add to those so far:
1) Make sure you remove any garden hoses from exterior faucets now before a heavy freeze hits. When they are still attached, they can trap water that freezes and can crack your hose bibs. The newer hose bibs are "frost free" meaning they actually shut off a few feet back under your home, so many people don't realize their lines are frozen/cracked until they find water in their crawl space/basement!
2) Buy a good quality ice scraper for your car(s). Preferably one with a stiff brush on one end to help remove snow.
3) When we get blessed with a good snow, grab your skis or snow shoes and head for the hills! I find it funny when a "snow day" cancels schools since it supposed to be too hard or unsafe to get to school, the kids have no problems finding their way up 4,000 additional vertical feet and 16 miles from town to end up at Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

Another tip learned from Bogus Basin: If it is going to get really cold, consider lifting your wind shield wipers off your car window so they don't freeze to it and ruin your blades.

[mustangjoey]

Originally Posted by IdahoBroker

Three other suggestions to add to those so far:
1) Make sure you remove any garden hoses from exterior faucets now before a heavy freeze hits. When they are still attached, they can trap water that freezes and can crack your hose bibs. The newer hose bibs are "frost free" meaning they actually shut off a few feet back under your home, so many people don't realize their lines are frozen/cracked until they find water in their crawl space/basement!
2) Buy a good quality ice scraper for your car(s). Preferably one with a stiff brush on one end to help remove snow.
3) When we get blessed with a good snow, grab your skis or snow shoes and head for the hills! I find it funny when a "snow day" cancels schools since it supposed to be too hard or unsafe to get to school, the kids have no problems finding their way up 4,000 additional vertical feet and 16 miles from town to end up at Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

Another tip learned from Bogus Basin: If it is going to get really cold, consider lifting your wind shield wipers off your car window so they don't freeze to it and ruin your blades.

Number 3 is too funny. Agreed.

[humeston]

Thank for the garden hose tips, I was not thinking about that. And the wiper blade trick too!

Dart