Nasty Driving Conditions in Minnesota - Thanks, Trump

[MineralMan]

We had a warm snap the other day. Then it rained. Then it sleeted. Then there was heavy fog and mist. Then everything froze solid. The melted snow on the road, the mist from the fog. Everything. I had about 1/8" of transparent ice on my windshield. So, I warmed the car up and melted it so I could see.

This morning, having run out of food, I drove to the supermarket. Worst driving conditions I've experienced in this state. The car's noisy ABS system activated at every stop sign, no matter how slowly I was going. Then it snowed again. So, now, when I came out of the supermarket, I could no longer see the ice on the road. It was covered by snow.

So, I crept home on surface streets that had no traffic. A slow drive, indeed. When I got home, I advised my wife to reschedule her dental appointment for the afternoon. Just not safe to drive to it. Not at all.

Why am I thanking Trump? Because the polar vortex, the sudden warm snap, and the following snow and freezing weather are all due to climate change, which Trump doesn't recognize as existing. Come to Minnesota, Donwald, and I'll take you for a drive. You'll see.

Anyhow, if you live in my state and you made it to work today, watch out on your way home. The layer of snow on top of the ice is hiding a sheet of black ice, so slow down and start stopping at the next intersection before you start driving. That's my advice.

[riversedge]

1. Same thing here in Wisconsin. It is the ice under the snow that

is the trickster. Be careful all. I was suspose to take my mom to a DR. appointment. We rescheduled.

And I do blame Trump and the others--mostly Repugs to denying Climate Change. It is here. Now!

[MineralMan]

3. It's going to be a very tough afternoon commute around here.

I worry for those who have to be out on the road. There will be many fender-benders and spin-outs.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. It was fun, wasn't it?

Walking was worse.

[MineralMan]

4. I salted my driveway and walks yesterday, so not so bad.

But, the dogs aren't getting their walk today.

More snow tonight and then again tomorrow and Thursday. Uffda!

[Midnightwalk]

5. You proved climate change is real

The record cold proves that global waming is false. The rapid change from record cold to warm and back to cold proves climate change is real.

Let me be the first to recommend you for a nobel prize.

[MineralMan]

6. I'll start working on my acceptance speech right away.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. It's snowing in Oslo all week. You'll feel right at home.

[MineralMan]

10. LOL!

[Siwsan]

7. We went from -15 to +50 in just 4 days

All of the roads are FINALLY snow and ice free. But, we might be getting ice/sleet, tonight. Then tomorrow it might get warm enough to turn to rain. Thursday will be back in the 40's. Then, another significant snowfall possible by Tuesday. You could get whiplash trying to keep up with the changing weather reports.

[MineralMan]

8. What state are you in?

[Siwsan]

11. Michigan

Mid-Michigan (Flint), to be precise.

[MineralMan]

12. Thanks. Good luck!

[LakeSuperiorView]

13. My driveway is an approximately frictionless surface.

Took about three steps to make it to the mailbox yesterday, normally about 100 steps. I shoveled towards the street today, no other way would work. Had to walk from the street to the house in the snow next to the driveway. Went out today to get some groceries, just surface streets, very slow traffic.

I'm glad that's all the driving I had to do.

My neighbor across the street just went ass over tea kettle walking down her driveway. I was talking to another neighbor at my front door and saw her go down. She is probably going to be sore tomorrow, but she didn't break anything or hit her head.

Stay indoors if you can in the Twin Cities, it is a skating rink out there.

[MineralMan]

15. I got my driveway and all salted down yesterday.

Tomorrow, I'll blow the snow, and then again on Friday.

[2naSalit]

14. Same thing happens

here in Montana. The vortex has shifted westward. Last Saturday it was +57F, Sunday morning it was -10F with a few inches of dry snow on the ground.

When I was in the mountains, we could have a foot of snow on top of two inches of ice, just as bad. Where I live now, we seem to get just enough snow to turn into ice on the streets and roads and it stays around for weeks, not much snow anywhere else, it all collects on the pavement and stays there until it gets warm again. A whole new dynamic in winter driving that I'm not so sure I like.

[MineralMan]

16. Thank goodness neither my wife nor I commute.

[2naSalit]

18. I often skied to work

and when I walked, it was cleats and ski poles. Great exercise with the ski poles and saves the body from affects of the legendary "snow trudge" that makes getting around in snow so difficult. Of course, the town that I lived in then is a whopping 1 square mile.

[HipChick]

17. Be safe...

[MineralMan]

19. No worries.