How to Survive Global Warming (Winter)
Filed Under: Do It Yourself on January 12, 2010
Here’s a few tips for some of you who’re looking to live through the latest bout of global warming (winter) here in the northern hemisphere. Since the Gore Factor has definitely hit and we are assuredly in the deep-freeze for a few months, I thought I’d show you how I make the most of it.
Surviving the Snow Shovel – unless you’re one of those yuppie types who owns a snow blower, an ATV with a plow, and a bunch of other equipment that you use to make snow removal easier, you probably do it the old fashioned way. If you do own all of that equipment, give the economy a boost and sell it. That stuff? That’s the reason you complain about not getting enough exercise or having a “spare tire” around your middle.
For shoveling here in Wyoming, I use two types of shovel: a large-blade snow shovel for most of the work and a standard flat-blade shovel for ice. The large shovel is what does just about everything, moving large amounts of snow relatively easily. Most snow shoveling is not shoveling, really, but pushing.
If you do it right, you’ll use the wide-blade to just push snow from one place to another and leave it in piles. This means you aren’t lifting, throwing, or otherwise manhandling the snow. You’re just pushing it into a new position. For the driveway, I start by pushing the shovel down the center from top to bottom, making a mound at the street. This I then break into pieces and push towards the edge of the driveway, in one direction and then the other. I do this repeatedly back up the driveway until I reach the top. Then I’ll have a “berm” or mound of snow along either edge of the driveway while the center is clear.
I use the flat-bladed shovel to break up ice and pick it up for tossing away. It’s got a nice long handle, doesn’t hold too much that I’ll hurt myself lifting it, and it’s a strong blade made for dirt, rocks, and whatever else, so ice is no barrier.
Dealing With the Cold – if you’re not used to the cold weather, you probably are either chronically cold or always too hot. I rarely get cold, being basically built for and good at handling winter weather, but I do get hot easily. The trick to winter weather in most northern climes is to wear layers. I wear a t-shirt and jeans most of the time and then just pile clothing on top of that as needed.
A light, fleece jacket is my preferred second-layer and a good winter coat will easily go over the top of that for a third layer. Wind or water-proof outer layers go over the top of that (I have an XXXL rain slicker, for instance). I put long johns under the jeans sometimes and wear an extra pair of socks with weatherproof boots as well. Most of the time, though, socks and good shoes are enough.
A stocking or other warm hat is essential and a scarf or thick collar is almost required in the Wyoming winds. Where you live, these may not be necessary. If you’re like my friend in Florida who’s just now experiencing “winter chills” with temps under 40°F? Quit whining, Craig. Anything over forty up here is shorts and t-shirt weather.
Driving in the Weather – This is probably the hardest thing for people to grasp. When the first couple of storms hit, there are two reactions that usually take place amongst drivers. The first is the “We’re All Gonna Die!” (WAGD!) reaction. This is where the driver slows to a crawl, turns on their hazard lights, has their high beams on, and hogs up a freeway lane at 20mph despite the fact that there isn’t actually any snow on the road yet, it’s just falling out of the sky. “Black ice!” is the usual breathless lament.
The other reaction is the “Hell, I’ve 4wd, no prob!” (HI4P) response. These idiots think that having 4wd and huge tires means that their monster truck somehow has better braking power, despite the fact that it’s still just four wheels with four brakes making your vehicle stop. You often find them in the ditch attempting to spin their four wheels out of the snow using nothing but steady, trench-digging forward and reverse shifting. You’ll see them at 8am when they slide into the ditch and they’ll still be there, revving the engine too much (and about two feet deeper in) at 5pm trying to work their way out.
The trick to driving in the weather is to know your vehicle, know your own limits, and take your time. Don’t creep along if there’s no reason to, but don’t hurl yourself recklessly into the elements either. Take your time, and have a full understanding of how your vehicle handles in various weather conditions and how you, the driver, handle those conditions as well. When in doubt, stay home. Few things are worth $1,000 in towing and body damage.
For the record, front wheel drive is more often better in the bad weather than four wheel or all wheel drive. This has to do with both traction and ground clearance. The higher your vehicle sits (as with most AWD or 4WD), the higher your center and gravity and the less control you actually have. Front-wheel driven vehicles also have the majority of the vehicle’s weight right where they need it: on the front tires, which are doing the driving and steering.
Hopefully this stuff helps. I may have more tips in the future, of course. Being an experienced northerner, I often forget sometimes how much of what I take for granted as “common sense” is actually experience.
Related posts:
- Winter Sprouting for Healthy Living
- Predicting the Coming Winter Weather
- DIY – Plant a Tree in Your Yard
