How to avoid another Atlanta type snow storm problem

[Caveman CBB]

A local forecaster from up here in MN posted this on how he believes we could avoid another Atlanta type snow storm problem. Remember ,this is his opinion .

How to prevent the next Atlanta ‘Snowpocalypse’ | Updraft | Minnesota Public Radio News

[KSCRUDE]

It seems all the south from Texas to Florida has been in the deep freeze this winter. The states in the south are not geared up for this kind of weather, like MN or Colorado. This storm in Atlanta would of been nothing for Denver or the twin cities. Global warming, really.

[pcurt23]

Problem in Atlanta is that it doesn't happen often enough for people to remember how to handle the situation.
If a Northern person is being truthful, they will tell you that the first snow fall of the year brings out the morons and the ditches fill up with cars. After that they remember that snow and ice are slippery and slow down a little. In a bad storm you know you are in for a long ride home. Some even have emergency kits in the car.
[moderator edit] Get a bag of salt and Get er Done.

[SeeTheUSA]

Hmmmm, a "private" weather forecaster saying the solution is "private" weather forecasters . . . all in the name of "accountability."

[Cooperhawk]

While I am not familiar with this particular forecaster, MPR is a left minded organization and doesn't have much credibility around here.

When I lived in Washington DC if we got an inch of snow my neighbors were putting on tire chains in their driveways. They just had no idea how to deal with slippery roads at all.

I used to tell folks back home in Minnesota that we got six inches of snow last night in Virginia, and they got both state snow plows out.

Truth was they had to get private contractors to mount plows on their gravel trucks to plow it.

Places in the South just can't justify the expense of buying and maintaining all that equipment for a snow that happens once a decade. The best thing to do is send people and children home early before the storm hits. Accurate forecasts are crucial of course.

We all complain when Washington DC shuts down early wasting govt money, but it is the most intelligent thing to do.

[OrngTrillium]

The only thing is to this southerner it looks hilarious. What I see is conditions that anyone in a FWD car should be able to handle. Just slow down to 50 or so and you'll be fine, coast approaching intersections and if the ABS activates (darn ABS increases stopping distance though) don't release the brake that noise is perfectly normal. Oh and you may want to try light throttle and I don't know turning your traction control off so you can spin the tires a bit and gain forward momentum? Not that hard and i'm fairly south. Also use the slippery conditions to help you around corners just take into account the slip in your turn you'll be fun. The bonus is at the back of the parking lot you can fishtail and 720 to your hearts content.

Facious is as Facious does

[MoeBelly]

Originally Posted by SeeTheUSA

Hmmmm, a "private" weather forecaster saying the solution is "private" weather forecasters . . . all in the name of "accountability."

x2

The author also mentioned humility but this has nothing to do with accurate forecasting. Weather is scientifically chaotic (google "butterfly effect") and there can be many different outcomes from the information that meteorologists have available (and don't believe any forecast beyond 3 days). Until forecasters give us at least 2 or 3 possible outcomes from their data, we will continue to be surprised by these storms.

[monkey]

I understand states not being prepared for this kind of thing when it almost never happens... Heck I live in Arkansas, we get Bad weather every year and they can't handle ANYTHING... We need to buy them a second wheel barrow to put out sand/salt... BUT,, when you see cars skidding out of control doing like 70+ mph on slick roads on the video's down south,,, what can you say... DUH.....

[Tim&Paula]

I live down in ga. We all got warnings in a timely manner. Most of the towns did a very good job and closed the schools and people stayed off the roads. The mayor and school superintendent in Atlanta did a very poor job.

[monkey]

Originally Posted by Tim&Paula

I live down in ga. We all got warnings in a timely manner. Most of the towns did a very good job and closed the schools and people stayed off the roads. The mayor and school superintendent in Atlanta did a very poor job.

[EDALLSAILS]

Just move to CUBA!

[scenic route]

It seems that a timely weather warning just doesn't do any good. Having lived in ATL for eleven years, it didn't take long to realize the best way to avoid the pileups of a normal 'snow day' commute was to stay home and watch the carnage on TV. Folks would STILL try to commute, even on 'black ice' days...an one way ticket to the body shop.

[chawkins99]

I live near Birmingham, AL.

I was well aware of the impending temperatures and expected snowfall.

On Tuesday morning (as always), I watched the local weatherman. He said (quote): Just a light dusting. Nothing to worry about".

I had a 9am appointment 30 miles away. I considered taking my wifes AWD Equinox but the forecast dissuaded me.

I arrived at my appoinmtent at 9.15am after jump starting my car due to a flat battery (unrelated). It had just started the 'light dusting' as I arrived. By 11.30am, I had 2 inches of snow on my car and the roads were already gridlocked. This was the first time I had looked out of the window

I left at 3pm and headed home. It took me 6 hours to travel the 2 miles to the interstate. I had NO traction problems with my FWD Impala but the delays were caused by trucks, vans etc (mainly RWD) that were unable to make the mildest grade. By now the 2 inches of snow was compacted to 1/2 inch of solid ice.

Once I reached the interstate, it was plain sailing for the remaining 30 miles home. Roads were still icy and I kept below 30mph but no problems.

The likes of Alabama and Georgia and most southern states don't get enough of this type of weather to justify the investment on the equipment.

Had the forecast that morning been for 2 inches of snow (or even half an inch), I would never have left the house.

In my opinion (we all have them), the problem was caused by inaccurate forecasting. Had they correctly forecast 2 inches of snow, the results would have been much less severe. Yes, some would have ignored it anyway, but many would have heeded the warnings and stayed home.

[DSL417]

Originally Posted by scenic route

It seems that a timely weather warning just doesn't do any good. Having lived in ATL for eleven years, it didn't take long to realize the best way to avoid the pileups of a normal 'snow day' commute was to stay home and watch the carnage on TV. Folks would STILL try to commute, even on 'black ice' days...an one way ticket to the body shop.

Congrats on what a person with a respect for the weather and the weather forecast, sir!

To some of the rest of you that continue to view weather as an act of God and weather forecast as a painting with multiple outcomes, and forecast as something that rarely accurate for more than a couple of hours...respectfully, learn more about the science of meteorology because right now you tend towards being full of hop hah!

Atlanta happened because government people didn't react to the situation, because people continue to hang on to the perspective that it is only a forecast, and because everyone went home at the same time. While the political leader may not have been around in 2010 when it last happened, you can bet that someone within the government was around previously, and knew what would happen. They let it happen this last week, just like they let it happen every time it has occurred since I lived there in 1982 and it happened.

I have a good with the DOT in Northern VA...it is his job; he gets the crews ready 3-4 days in advance, goes to the media and provides the insight into what is being done and how the public should respond, and he is very successful in an area where traffic on a good day is terrible. IT CAN BE DONE...no excuse as it continues in Atlanta, and it was lame that the government people tried to lay it off on weather forecasters, and then on an act of God. JMHO, as a trained and successful meteorologist who always took responsibility for forecast, and was held accountable for misses!