# Our expected snow crisis **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 19, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579 "2012-12-19T22:21:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/1 "2012-12-19T22:21:16Z")
The Madison city Transportation department 10-15 inches of wet heavy snow over the next 24-36 hours. Typically they send out an email and make press announcements 12-24 hours before the emergency is in force so people can clear their cars out of the way of expected plows and salt trucks. Today they sent me a snow emergency email with far more detail than I’ve ever seen before. Which includes that they’re not declaring a snow emergency – yet. They expect to sometime tomorrow. It was so detailed I figured it would also be in the city website, [and it is](http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/winter/SnowIce/snowPlowUpdates.cfm). The highlights: > [@](#): > > … We plan to have 26 trucks out on our salt routes when the snow begins to fall. At midnight we will increase that to 30 trucks, again working only on our salt routes. > > At 5 a.m. we plan to put an additional 30 trucks on the road in an effort to keep the main streets passable. We will supplement that with another 20 to 30 trucks at 7 a.m. > > … residential streets will remain unplowed until the snowfall stops. … > > … We plan to begin plowing residential streets using contractors as soon as the snow stops. We will keep City crews on the main streets until they are open and then shift those crews over to the residential streets. > > The wet, heavy snow will require three passes to clear a street. The snow conditions will also lead to snow boulders that will block driveways and cross walks. We will not be clearing out driveways, that is the responsibility of the property owner. > > We estimate that it will take us 12 to 16 hours to complete this plowing operation as opposed to the usual 8 to 10 hours. This is due to the wet snow and the high winds accompanying the storm. … Good for them, I suppose. I really don’t need to know that much detail, but WTF, it can’t hurt. I’m about to head out and buy some extra groceries just in case I’m stuck in for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/2 "2012-12-20T00:46:22Z")
You can send as much of that lovely white stuff up here as you like and I’ll gladly take it! The cutoff line for the really heavy snow seems to be Eau Claire… and I’m north of that. We’re going to be lucky to get 2" - 4" total. ☹ We’ve still got grass showing from all the melting the past week. Stay safe though 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/3 "2012-12-20T02:26:27Z")
We are on our way to Rockford from central Illinois. We were supposed to leave in the morning, but after hearing the forecast decided to head out tonight. We are about two hours away, and it’s raining. I understand its snowing in Rockford, so I will be happy to get there tonight and hunker down. Only six inches expected, though, I think. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/4 "2012-12-20T02:44:02Z")
Since when do Midwestern storms get a name? I have no recollection of a storm with a name around here in my life. New, or have I been oblivious this whole time? If it’s new isn’t it a bit of an insult to people who have real storms like hurricanes? ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/5 "2012-12-20T03:01:14Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Since when do Midwestern storms get a name? I have no recollection of a storm with a name around here in my life. New, or have I been oblivious this whole time? If it’s new isn’t it a bit of an insult to people who have real storms like hurricanes? It’s a gimmick that [The Weather Channel dreamed up](http://www.weather.com/news/why-we-name-winter-storms-20121001). The names they make up have [no official status](http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2012/11/federal-forecasters-wont-use-winter-storm-names/). ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/6 "2012-12-20T03:38:04Z")
Thank you. So much for that bookmark. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/7 "2012-12-20T04:41:35Z")
My SO lives in Neenah but is moving to San Antonio. He left a day early on a business trip because of the expected blizzard. I still have my windows open here in Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/8 "2012-12-20T05:16:11Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > It’s a gimmick that [The Weather Channel dreamed up](http://www.weather.com/news/why-we-name-winter-storms-20121001). The names they make up have [no official status](http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2012/11/federal-forecasters-wont-use-winter-storm-names/). Marketing gimmick. I hope it backfires on TWC. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/9 "2012-12-20T05:40:07Z")
The real problem is that both “Snowmegeddon” and “Snowpocalypse” have been used now. You’ll have to choose from the second tier names for your snow emergency. Available options are: “Snownabbit,” “Snowinconvenience,” “Snowsaster,” and “Sno-owie.” ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/10 "2012-12-20T06:24:40Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > The real problem is that both “Snowmegeddon” and “Snowpocalypse” have been used now. You’ll have to choose from the second tier names for your snow emergency. Available options are: “Snownabbit,” “Snowinconvenience,” “Snowsaster,” and “Sno-owie.” How could you forget Snowbomination?? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/11 "2012-12-20T17:57:06Z")
There was 3 inches at 6:15 when I shoveled my driveway. Other than my local street roads were plowed (though they were not in the greatest condition) It stopped for a while, but is again snowing heavily. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/12 "2012-12-20T19:25:10Z")
At 7 am there was at least 6 inches, and it’s been snowing steadily ever since. Apparently they had very high confidence this would be a big storm. Even UW Madison announced last night it would be closed today, and IIRC it’s only closed twice before due to weather in the last 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/13 "2012-12-20T19:36:34Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Even UW Madison announced last night it would be closed today, and IIRC it’s only closed twice before due to weather in the last 20 years. And this week is finals week as well. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/14 "2012-12-20T20:05:55Z")
Still raining and 47F here. I want snow, dammit. Cold front isn’t due to pass for another couple hours. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/15 "2012-12-20T21:47:22Z")
What’s the old saw that women say about naming blizzards after men? “You never know how long they’re going to last, or how many inches you’re going to get.” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/16 "2012-12-20T22:37:00Z")
As of a couple of hours ago, the local TV meteorologist measured 15" of snow at the station (maybe three miles from me. Still falling steadily, heavy winds and drifting still to come. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/17 "2012-12-20T22:38:19Z")
Women can’t handle a real MAN storm! Oh, yeah, this will be a real man’s man of a storm – 18" and 18 hours. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/18 "2012-12-20T23:04:56Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Marketing gimmick. I hope it backfires on TWC. why? not saying your wrong, just want to know what makes you say so. what I want to know is are all the snow storms named for characters in Harry Potter? ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/19 "2012-12-21T00:15:50Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Women can’t handle a real MAN storm! > > Oh, yeah, this will be a real man’s man of a storm – 18" and 18 hours. Mmm hmm. And I’m stuck not that far away in a warm wet spot. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-expected-snow-crisis/644579/20 "2012-12-21T00:24:02Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > why? not saying your wrong, just want to know what makes you say so. The links in post #5 explain it. > [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > what I want to know is are all the snow storms named for characters in Harry Potter? That’s easy, because after finding out TWC is doing the naming on its own and the idea is not backed by the NWS or any other reporting agency, the people at TWC are clearly 12-year-old idiots. Seriously, this makes me angry and trivializes real storms and the populations of entire regions who have had to endure true devastation from true storms that actually get names. I have deleted my bookmarks to their website and deleted the app on my phone and replaced them with WeatherBug.