STOP THE PRESSES!

[DTH]

I've always wanted to say that But I do actually have a point:

Britain is currently suffering its worse snow storm in nearly 20 years.

News!

Not much of a big deal for some but for the UK, it pretty much means the nation grinds to a standstill. For example, it took 2 and half hours for some colleagues to get to work this morning (a journey which takes an hour).

It took me 2 hours to get home for a journey which takes an hour via train.

It has not stopped snowing for hours and it is getting quite bad. It is really weird how our country just stops. In recent years, we've had extreme flooding, winds and now we're getting Siberia's snow.

I doubt I'll be at work tomorrow and they've already announced that the schools are shut nationwide.

[pfrsue]

Up to 10cm (4in) of snow fell in some areas.

Whoa. We don't usually even delay school for four inches of snow. In fact, the county I live in had over a hundred inches of snow altogether last winter. (Mind you, it was a mess when it all melted!)

On the other hand, we're equipped to deal with it. Good luck and stay safe!

[Al]

Feb 2, 2009 14:52:19 GMT -5 pfrsue said:

Good luck and stay safe!

Ditto. Have some fun and throw some snowballs while it lasts, DTH!

[TheLuckyOne]

Seriously, 4 inches? Even in the mid-Atlantic, that's not that much... we'd probably delay school, but they might not close.

On the other hand, it's probably a lot harder to hitch up a snowplow to a hansom cab. Enjoy your snow day, guv'nor!

-D

[BlackCatWhiteCat]

Growing up in Kentucky I'm used to this every January-March:

That's a pic my friend took at her house, about 10 miles from where I grew up. And yes, that's ice on...well, everything. Meanwhile I'm thinking of going to the beach today here in San Diego. Ha ha!

Living in the mountains of southern Japan, where snow just does not happen, imagine my surprise when even the friggin military base shuts down over this:

That's a pic I took from my balcony and trust me, my driveway you see there was the most treacherous thing imaginable, snow or no snow. I think I remember the radio saying that was 2 cm of snow, but honestly...that looks like more than 2 cm to me (or is my American measuring system skewing my vision?)

DTH-I'm sure your home is just like Sasebo, Japan, in that you're not equipped for snow (and why should you be, if you never get it?). No massive vehicles to scrape off the snow/ice and lay salt, and civilian vehicles that were not made to deal with that kind of weather. I'm sure it's frustrating, but have a great time in the snow (can you have a great time in 10 cm of snow? ;D )

[Head Mutant]

We've gotten four FEET (that's like a billion cubic millimeterometers or something) so far this winter.

Suck it up, Britain. Make a snow angel or something.

[penguinslovedw]

I'm going to London next weekend and I don' t care if the whole darn island is just a big block of ice by the time I get there. NOTHING CAN STOP ME!!

But speaking as someone from a state where snowplows are on call all year long (Let's go Wolverines!), here are some things to keep in your car during the winter, trust me:
A small shovel in case you need to dig out your tires
Kitty litter in order to give your tires traction when you do dig them out
Jumper cables (some older cars have batteries that are very susceptible to cutting out in cold weather)
Some quilts and blankets in case you have to sit still for a bit to wait for help
If it's night and you're on the road and you have to wait until morning for help, never ever never ever (never!) think "Oh, I'll just bundle up and wait in the car." Find the nearest house and, unless there are chains and manacles hanging from the ceiling and a man playing a banjo in the corner, ask to stay the night. Offer to pay if you have to, but do not unless absolutely totally necessary stay overnight in your car. I'm speaking from personal experience! My cousin Peter and his two missing left toes will agree with me.

I hope you all stay safe out there!