Friday, February 20, 2009

Snow Storms and attitudes

Click to enlarge pics...

Our deck and (lack of) snow as it appeared Feb. 11 Our deck taken today...after two 'large' storms....not a lot of difference in snow level from Feb. 11 Snow pile at the end of our driveway (looking down our driveway toward the ocean) Snowbanks on our road... Looking down our driveway toward the road.. Back of our house.... And...because I can't resist taking a picture of this ....

We've had two snow storms in the last three days.

Oh my....

The first one, on Wednesday, was supposed to deliver 30 cms (12 inches) of snow with high winds...100 plus km/h (60 miles per hour) thrown in for the mix. While we didn't get a lot of snow, we did get some. I think they were bang on with the winds though...I'm sure they were at least 100 kms/h....and most likely higher.

The next one was today. We were forecasted to get about 10 cms....again I don't think we got that much. I've posted some pictures taken today...and as you can see....there's not all that much snow....(which is ok by me). But...you be the judge.....does it look like a lot of snow to you? Not exactly what we expected to encounter with all those warnings about Newfoundland winters.

One thing (and as you all know....there are many) that we find refreshing here...is the way NLers view these storms. If there is a storm, or even if one is forecasted to hit....they shut down almost everything. Thinking about the safety of people seems to take precedence over the thought 'gotta show up for work...no matter what the cost'. Schools (as well as many/most business.....you should have heard the list) are shut....and by that I mean shut...as in nobody goes in. Larry taught for 21 years for various boards while in Ontario. During those 21 years...there were TWO days (and one was when Mel called in the army .....insert eye roll here) in where schools were closed (and we had much worse winters and a lot more snow than we have here) Now...don't get me wrong....there were lots of 'snow days' where buses didn't run....but schools always remained opened and teachers, secretaries, janitors, EAs, etc. had to show up. Yep...gotta get there ....no matter what the cost.

But not here....when there's a storm here or one coming, the schools are shut....for everyone. One day....the forecasted storm didn't start until mid-afternoon....but...the schools were shut for the whole day.

Yep....it's all in the attitude. Sit tight, the storm will pass, everyone will be safe and we'll get back at it tomorrow.

3 comments:

Becky said...

Same here, if we get alot of flurries they tend to let out schools "just in case". If the TV says it is going to snow, it won't!
I give up on snow, my flowers are blooming, I am ready for spring!

Still, I love your pics ;)

Molytail said...

Yeah that's not a lot of snow...I don't know what's up with your winter this year... we had a couple of weirdly mild winters and then last winter it went back to normal (on the island) ...

Schools don't close here where we are now. It's been in the -40C's many days and they just call an indoor recess. Back home, that would have 'em closed right up! It's normal winter weather (the extreme cold) here, so people just go about their days as usual...with an extra sweater and fluffy mittens. *grin*

Shannon said...

Nope, not a lot of snow compared to what's in my yard right now! lol! It was nicely melting away with all the rain we had and now it's all piling up again and the dog has to leap through it to get to 'her spot'!

This winter has been strange for us, too. Not as many snow days for the schools compared to last year and the highways around here haven't been closed as much. I'd rather they close things and just think of safety rather than $$$, but that's not generally how it works around here. Of course, when it comes to highway closures the general consensus seems to be 'there is only one way into work but a thousand ways home.' *grin*