Fluffy’s Curmudgeon Corner

First casualty of the storm. 
Honda Pilot 

On its side.

Broke the first rule of driving- shiny side up!

Or is that the second rule, after “in the event of foul weather, avoid driving when possible,”

Or is that the second rule, after “in the event of foul weather, avoid driving when possible,”

Hopefully the following post does not come off as "know it all" sometimes I worry that my musings seem like that. Also those of you that reside in more northern latitudes can be certain. That I know, you already know what is written here. 

There are many factors involved in most of the snow accidents around these parts Marko. The primary one being stupidity. 

(The following is my thoughts/theory on the physics involved in the level of traction during snow)

This snow had a wet consistency. Meaning it acted almost like "thick" water. Your tire treads could clear it from under your tire footprint. All be it at lower speeds. The "density factor" is what I am judging when I am out driving in my dump truck.  Powdery snow clears from under your tires, and you have 80 to 90 percent traction. The wetter and denser the snow, your traction goes down. You slow down to keep your tires from hydroplaning. At a certain point no matter how slow you go. The density just packs down and doesn't clear out from under your tires. Then you have very little traction and chains become your friend. 
We get enough snow here where you would think people would be proficient driving in snow. But a good many avoid it as much as possible. So when forced to be out in it are very bad at driving in it.  Then you have the "I have 4WD/AWD and can defy the laws of physics people. IE the Honda Pilot on it's side. 
I have given many people the advice to take the opportunity to go out to empty parking lot or area with lots of room and nothing to mess up you car. And play/practice driving in the snow. I've taken out my daughter and daughter in-laws out. To show them tips and tricks to hopefully avoid problems if they do have to drive in snow. 
I'd be curious what you guys think of my ramblings.  Let me know. 
Fluffy

Or is that the second rule, after “in the event of foul weather, avoid driving when possible,”

Hopefully the following post does not come off as "know it all" sometimes I worry that my musings seem like that. Also those of you that reside in more northern latitudes can be certain. That I know, you already know what is written here. 

There are many factors involved in most of the snow accidents around these parts Marko. The primary one being stupidity. 

(The following is my thoughts/theory on the physics involved in the level of traction during snow)

This snow had a wet consistency. Meaning it acted almost like "thick" water. Your tire treads could clear it from under your tire footprint. All be it at lower speeds. The "density factor" is what I am judging when I am out driving in my dump truck.  Powdery snow clears from under your tires, and you have 80 to 90 percent traction. The wetter and denser the snow, your traction goes down. You slow down to keep your tires from hydroplaning. At a certain point no matter how slow you go. The density just packs down and doesn't clear out from under your tires. Then you have very little traction and chains become your friend. 
We get enough snow here where you would think people would be proficient driving in snow. But a good many avoid it as much as possible. So when forced to be out in it are very bad at driving in it.  Then you have the "I have 4WD/AWD and can defy the laws of physics people. IE the Honda Pilot on it's side. 
I have given many people the advice to take the opportunity to go out to empty parking lot or area with lots of room and nothing to mess up you car. And play/practice driving in the snow. I've taken out my daughter and daughter in-laws out. To show them tips and tricks to hopefully avoid problems if they do have to drive in snow. 
I'd be curious what you guys think of my ramblings.  Let me know. 
Fluffy

This Northerner is in full agreement. I have also noted that some think All Seasons tires are like AWD.

Test driving like you described can be invaluable. I do a little bit every winter at work after hours, just to "test" conditions.

Yep Eric. I test out traction frequently while out plowing. Stab the brakes when on a straight. To see how conditions are.  If you ever drove around here in a storm. You'd probably be amazed at the lack of ability to deal with it. I am embarrassed by my fellow Marylanders regularly.

If it's any comfort, after the first snow storm of every season, it would seem that the majority of our drivers had taken a blow to the head and forgot what driving in snow is like.

Oh, if only everyone could be as good as me...

Or is that the second rule, after “in the event of foul weather, avoid driving when possible,”

Hopefully the following post does not come off as "know it all" sometimes I worry that my musings seem like that. Also those of you that reside in more northern latitudes can be certain. That I know, you already know what is written here. 

There are many factors involved in most of the snow accidents around these parts Marko. The primary one being stupidity. 

(The following is my thoughts/theory on the physics involved in the level of traction during snow)

This snow had a wet consistency. Meaning it acted almost like "thick" water. Your tire treads could clear it from under your tire footprint. All be it at lower speeds. The "density factor" is what I am judging when I am out driving in my dump truck.  Powdery snow clears from under your tires, and you have 80 to 90 percent traction. The wetter and denser the snow, your traction goes down. You slow down to keep your tires from hydroplaning. At a certain point no matter how slow you go. The density just packs down and doesn't clear out from under your tires. Then you have very little traction and chains become your friend. 
We get enough snow here where you would think people would be proficient driving in snow. But a good many avoid it as much as possible. So when forced to be out in it are very bad at driving in it.  Then you have the "I have 4WD/AWD and can defy the laws of physics people. IE the Honda Pilot on it's side. 
I have given many people the advice to take the opportunity to go out to empty parking lot or area with lots of room and nothing to mess up you car. And play/practice driving in the snow. I've taken out my daughter and daughter in-laws out. To show them tips and tricks to hopefully avoid problems if they do have to drive in snow. 
I'd be curious what you guys think of my ramblings.  Let me know. 
Fluffy

You are bang on Fluffy - the biggest problem is people's brains - why are they on the road at all?  Why aren't they running snow tires? Why do they think the laws of physics don't apply to them?  I'm in Western Canada and winter is a long drawn out process running anywhere from September /October to April/May sometimes with lots of variation in between but when Mother Nature flexes (as is so often the case) she can be lethal and there is nothing you can do about it other than try to stay out of the way.  We've got some bad weather moving in later today.  Falling temperatures , high winds and blowing snow.  I'm staying in.

Zackly to all the above from a born and bred Northerner of Philly decent

Thanks for confirming my suspicions that we are all of like minds. It’s good to be in the company of such fine individuals. 

Monday’s Shave 

Touched up the Robeson New Science Concave
Yaqui Badger 
Hub City Friday Night Lights
Old Spice AS

Nice lazy shave. Recharging my batteries after the long night before. Some potential snow heading in Wednesday night. So far a steady drumbeat of weather this year. Going to put a hurting on the county’s bank account with my OT if this keeps up. 
So far $50 of my OT is headed to Australia for some shave soap. So there’s that to look forward to.  Still waiting on my horse hair knots from Oumo. Should pop up any day now. 
Even being sleep deprived as of late. I am in full command of my faculties. For I am aware that it is in fact Tabac Tuesday. 
Have a good day guys. 
Fluffy

It's your turn, our Wednesday will be rain this time. Enjoy !