The other difference is that the roads are usually warm and wet when the snow starts. That leaves a layer of glare ice which requires chains or studded tires to drive on safely.
Part of the problem is lack of snow driving experience or equipment, but a significant part is the ice.
BTW, I’m a Georgia boy, but have lived in the Chicago suburbs and have no problem on driving on snow up North.
Mrs BN & I cancelled dinner out tonight. It was in the 30’s today before the snow started here in NC, so the roads were wet. It is 19 now and getting colder. Ice rink time on our country roads!
Stay warm, people!
True there. I'm a Pennsylvania native and have been driving in snow for nearly 50 years. I have great vehicle with 4WD and good tires, but I know damn well that none of that experience or equipment means a damn thing on ice, which these storms usually turn into down in Dixie.
To me, driving in snow is easy, but I am smart enough to stay the hell of the ice.
Be safe and warm, and don't venture on the highways unless absolutely necessary. This Yankee would not go out either on that ice.
Exactly right! Two days before the snow started we were 63 degrees. The next day saw a high in the mid 40’s and raining and the temps started dropping by noon. By dark it was snowing. This morning we have only an 1-1/2 inches of snow but the road is frozen solid underneath.
It doesn’t make since for us to spend money on snow tires, chains, etc. if we don’t get more than that. Some years we don’t get any.
Years ago, our new plant manager came from New York. He would get SO mad when people didn’t show up for work when it snowed and he refused to shut down the plant. Well, Mr. Smartypants decided that he would come to work, so he tried. He ended up in a ditch. LOL I’m retired now but now the city shuts them down when it’s bad enough to be dangerous.