# How much do Canadians, Midwesterners, Alaskans laugh at East Coasters during a "blizzard" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 14, 2017, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142 "2017-03-14T07:10:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/41 "2017-03-14T17:37:37Z")
I grew up in Fairbanks Alaska, as I never tire of mentioning, and we didn’t get blizzards. Too cold for blizzards. You need masses of moist air cooling to drop snow. When it’s 40 below where is the moist air supposed to come from? So it would snow most in October and November, and then there would be only a very few scattered snow days until April. By then half the snow pack had sublimated away into the bone-dry air. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/42 "2017-03-14T17:38:58Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’m in Maryland, and we had 27 inches in the blizzard last year. That was a fair bit of snow. 🙂 Chicago is more known for its cold, but, even then, I don’t consider it the wintry hellhole everyone else seems to. Of course, it does help that I do like winter, but I don’t find winters here particularly difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/43 "2017-03-14T18:09:26Z")
I shoulda gone skiing today. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/44 "2017-03-14T19:21:12Z")
> [@apollonia](#): > > Why do East Coasters think the rest of North America is on the edge of their seats, fretting and worrying about them? It’s snow. They’ll be fine, much like how a big chunk of Ontario is getting a goodly amount of snow today and it’s not national news. As mentioned in some other thread, NYC is a major travel hub. Boston and Philly are hubs as well but to a lesser extent. Expecting someone flying in from Europe via JFK or Logan? They’re gonna be late. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/45 "2017-03-14T21:28:35Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > You name it, we get it. Temperatures [hot enough to melt the bitumen](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-13/nsw-heatwave-melting-roads-as-temperatures-soar/8172222)/asphalt ? Nope, you don’t get it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/46 "2017-03-14T21:42:46Z")
No habitable location on the planet gets temperatures hot enough to melt the asphalt. If a location does get such temperatures, then it is not habitable. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/47 "2017-03-14T21:43:03Z")
…not more than those of us on the west coast. Seems to always be severe weather back east when it is delightful out here (of course, the vice-versa is also true). Today in central CA it is in the mid-to upper 70s. Blue sky, barely a puff of wind. Trees in bloom, poppies beside the road, the hills and valleys are lush and green - the scent of sweet spring flowers in the air. I would like to find a place on earth where it is like this all the time! I think much of the hysteria is created by the media, with the likes of TWC inventing names for storms and providing 24/7 “coverage”. I am sure the hardy people of the NE will manage this storm fine, just like they always do. Afterward, they will resume looking down their noses at the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/48 "2017-03-14T21:52:35Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Today in central CA it is in the mid-to upper 70s. Blue sky, barely a puff of wind. Trees in bloom, poppies beside the road, the hills and valleys are lush and green - the scent of sweet spring flowers in the air. I would like to find a place on earth where it is like this all the time! I prefer four seasons, but I do wish we had a longer period of the above, It goes from mud to too hot too fast. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/49 "2017-03-14T22:09:56Z")
Wind can make a vast difference in the effect of the snow as much as snow total. 16 inches in a calm even delivery is a problem. But 10 inches in a ragging blizzard that ends up 8 or ten foot tall drifts will shut down any city. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/50 "2017-03-14T22:27:28Z")
Its just snow. Most years, we get away with murder… light winters … 1-2 inch snow storms that are just boring. If you have your home set up properly, most storms are just a matter of logistics: travelling in it to get your normal daily things done. If schools close, its either childcare or stay home from work. If you made a list and bought what you needed on Saturday, there is no reason to shop a second time on a Tuesday. Gas can be a ‘thing’ because mileage is different in snow, but thats a 5 minute task. Most people already have their car cleaning and sidewalk cleaning tools and supplies, so you pull them out (along with hats/gloves/parkas) just as a precaution. Honestly, the only people throwing a fit or blowing a fuse about snow are either totally unprepared or they work in Media and get paid to. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/51 "2017-03-15T00:33:03Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I live at 11,200 feet in the central Colorado mountains. About 1/2 mile from the continental divide. > > I laugh at all of you. 😉 Was trying to make a funny, but do understand how serious it can be. Big snow where I live is a part of life, 6-7 months out of the year. It’s a huge part of the economy since we have four world class ski areas in the county. Snow/winter just makes for more people on the roads and visiting us. As such, we are prepared. Not just the town/county plows but the state plows as well. Most of us that live here own AWD/4x4’s with snow tires. I’ve decided to not drive to work because of snow (over the continental divide, 25 miles) three times in the 24 years I’ve lived here. So yep, it’s about having the equipment to deal with it, and a reason to deal with it all winter long. It can be a significant expense for the household, but something we are just use to. My Wife has an Subaru Outback, I have a Pathfinder. And we have a plow truck and Kubota 4x4 loader to deal with the snow. I’ve rescued four stuck people so far this year by getting the plow truck from home (it has a winch on the back) and winter is hardly over at this elevation. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/52 "2017-03-15T12:18:23Z")
As someone from Chicagoland that now lives near DC, I sometimes think it’s ridiculous. The first time it snowed after I moved here I saw 5 accidents on my way to lunch. I was out of the office for probably 20 minutes. It’s a couple things, people in DC are from all over and a fair amount of them don’t have experience in snow, and the DMV is pretty poor about plowing and salting. I find that odd given that it’s ostensibly an important area and everything is shut down a couple times a year due to snow. What I think is most ridiculous is the school closings. Lots of school close if there’s a chance of snow the next day, not even waiting for it to come down. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/53 "2017-03-15T13:54:48Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > To be fair, this is what Southerners think of New England ;). > > I’m originally from the shore in New Jersey and sometimes I wonder why my parents (who still live there) still reside on ice planet Hoth. Because it kills off the Palmetto bugs and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/54 "2017-03-15T14:50:00Z")
Central Ohio “snowstorms” are rarely more than 4 inches, so I wouldn’t scoff at the prospect of 12-18 inches from a nor’easter. It does seem silly for east coast news media to go all apocalyptic over something that happens every couple of years or so. Washington D.C. in particular should have it figured out by now. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/55 "2017-03-15T18:16:24Z")
I have sympathy for those south of me that get snow. I have personally experience that wet, greasy packed snow around the freezing point - it is almost impossible to drive on. Up here, most have winter tires and those make a big difference. And our snow is usually fluffy and dry. The one thing that does make me smirk is spinning your tires. Once your tires are spinning there is no hope. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/56 "2017-03-15T18:28:52Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Honestly, the only people throwing a fit or blowing a fuse about snow are either totally unprepared or they work in Media and get paid to. It’s a risky thing that even well-prepared and experienced people have accidents in. I’m relatively isolated and I still heard about an accident involving emergency medical services, and three collisions with plows. Visibility was bad but luckily people weren’t acting stupid. Yes, we’ll weather it but it’s still stressful. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/57 "2017-03-15T19:30:58Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Temperatures [hot enough to melt the bitumen](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-13/nsw-heatwave-melting-roads-as-temperatures-soar/8172222)/asphalt ? Nope, you don’t get it. 😃 Yes, yes we [do](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_extreme_temperatures_in_Canada#Highest_temperature_readings_.28selected_locations.2C_provincial_records.29). Almost. And not very often… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/58 "2017-03-15T20:29:04Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Because it kills off the Palmetto bugs and the like. I’d rather deal with Palmetto bugs than have to deal with below freezing temps more than a handful a times a year ;). ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/59 "2017-03-15T20:35:40Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > I’d rather deal with Palmetto bugs than have to deal with below freezing temps more than a handful a times a year ;). Amen. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142/60 "2017-03-15T21:10:50Z")
Heavy snowfalls aren’t that funny. I don’t laugh at those who get them, even if ours are sometimes heavy. If you aren’t used to driving in snow, though, maybe stay at home? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-canadians-midwesterners-alaskans-laugh-at-east-coasters-during-a-blizzard/782142.md?page=4)