Those of us who live in areas where it snows in the wintertime know the drill: Snow is annoying as hell, but it's a fact of life. Get out the shovel, make sure your car has some good snow tires, and go about your business. Those of you who live in areas where society outright stops the second a snowflake hits the ground: What's the matter with you? Get some salt on those roads and sit down!
Redditor Timwayward asked the online community, "Reddit people who have dealt with plenty of snow, what is some advice for "snow noobs?" so you wouldn't have to. Now pay attention.
"Do not slam on the brakes."
Do not slam on the brakes. Use the brakes sparingly as it is. Use the gas to control your car.
"Can't say this enough..."
CLEAN OFF THE TOP OF YOUR CAR BEFORE DRIVING!!!!!! Can't say this enough because I see idiots driving around with these massive blocks of snow on top their cars just waiting for the perfect time to cause an accident. Drives me crazy how little people care.
"Also take some time..."
Also take some time on areas of the road that are completely free of other vehicles to test how your tires and brakes are reacting to current conditions.
IE: In a safe spot pretend to have to stop quicker than usual and see how it goes.
"If you wait until you're almost there..."
Do 80% of your braking before you get to the stop sign/traffic light. If you wait until you're almost there you will slide into the intersection and likely cause an accident.
Also, and this is important: you may think you're Billy Badass in your enormous, lifted 4x4, but 4-wheel drive does not help you stop on ice. Unless you're using studded snow tires, your truck is far more dangerous because it's heavier than most cars. Take your time and brake early.
I can't begin to explain how many jacked-up pickups wind up on their sides or roofs in the ditch after heavy snowfall because of arrogance and stupidity.
"Wet snow is the worst."
Wet snow is the worst. Gets your clothes damp and cold, and is an absolute b to shovel - it is the heaviest kind of snow.
Also, wind makes everything twice as cold. Frost itself doesn't feel too bad, but even a slight wind makes it super uncomfortable and potentially dangerous (you easily get frostbites).
So, dress in layers, protect your extremities (fingers and toes) well, keep your core (torso) warm at all times, and cover your cheeks and nose if you can. A decent wool hat is a necessity, so your earlobes won't shrivel and fall off.
And if you want to warm up your cheeks with your hands, take your glove off and warm them with your bare palm. Press, don't rub.
Source: I am a Finn.
"Layers are the only way..."
GiphyJust wearing a sweater is a bad idea. Layers are the only way to stay healthy and warm. An extra pair of socks for when you get back to your car, if you're going to be out walking around.
"Good for your hands."
Keep socks in your car. Like a pack. Good for your hands. Your feet if you've been out walking and they got wet, your dog if he's been out walking and his boots get wet. Great to give homeless people if you pass by one. Easy to restock.
Get your pet boots and a coat if they're not a winter breed. Or if they are and it's just too f---ing cold. Talk to your vet and do research. I can't tell you how many pictures of blistered paws I've seen from walking on salted asphalt uncovered.
"Don't wait."
Don't wait to shovel it tomorrow, shovel it asap so it doesn't freeze. Even if that means shoveling when it's still snowing.
"...don't drag your feet..."
If you have to walk on ice or a spot you think might be icy, don't drag your feet or walk like you normally do.
Instead lift your foot up off the ground completely, move it forward, and place it straight down on the ground.
Kind of like you're pedaling a skinny bicycle.
"Regarding black ice..."
Regarding black ice: If the road's grey, you're ok. If it's black, watch your back.
A lot of salt and sand turns the road grey-ish which means it's dry. I love hitting a nice big stretch of grey colored street.
"When your tires start to spin..."
When your tires start to spin, more power does not mean more grip. It's amazing how many people will start to slide and just floor it, which makes it worse. If your tires lose grip, take your foot off the pedals and steer into the slide.
In the same area, all wheel drive does not mean all wheel stop. You can have AWD or 4WD or whatever fancy systems to help in the snow you want, those don't do shit for stopping. Just because you can accelerate to 50mph on the ice doesn't mean you can stop on it. Figure out how slow you think you need to go... and then drive even slower than that.
And get decent tires. Your bald all weather tires are a deathtrap in the snow. You don't need snow tires, but you do need tread on the tires you do have.
"...don't skimp."
GiphyGet yourself some real snow gear, and don't skimp. Get yourself some nice warm gloves, not fleece. Get a really nice hat that covers your ears. Get good snow boots.
"Salt!"
Ice is very, very dangerous. Sometimes you can step on it and be ok, other times you step on it and crack your head.
Be wary, salt that sh*t if it's on your property.
Also if possible salt the part of your driveway that connects to the side walk, elderly people slip in my area a lot so we make sure to salt when we can.
"Nothing is truly waterproof."
Nothing is truly waterproof. And if it actually is, it's gonna be the last thing you want.
Long underwear, then wool, then a windbreaker material of some sort.
You need to wick inevitable moisture away from your body and keep the heat in. The quicker the your clothes, gloves, socks, shoes/boots can dry the better.
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