What's with winter this year?

Rockford · Feb 3rd, 2006, 09:28 AM

I bought my first ever snow tires this season and wouldn't you know it, "winter" hasn't really arrived yet. This is Southern Ontario I'm talking about. Yesterday was Groundhog Day and the little fellow just popped out holding a sign saying "Spring's already here a-holes, piss off!"
Seriously, I can't remember a winter like this. I know BC's getting way more rain than normal this year too. Haven't really heard about eastern Canada, but I think Europe's getting a winter way worse than normal (opposite of us).
What the heck's going on people?

And for you guys south of the equator, how's you summer been, normal or are things effed up down there too?

boggarte · Feb 3rd, 2006, 11:45 AM

Sorry for you!

. Here in Quebec City, winter is just great!!!!

LOT of snow and mild temp. First winter with my X-T and wondering how I did without it before. Actually it's snowing right now (about 20cm) and I'm leaving for the slopes.

Canada's Far East · Feb 3rd, 2006, 07:28 PM

Bought a new snow thrower 3 years ago and have not had any winter to speak of since then

VERY unusual for this part of Canada

This winter has been much the same - heck, we just about had a "green" Christmas.

UNTIL WEDNESDAY - first snow was a weather BOMB - 50 cms. of snow, with winds gusting up to and above 100 kph

you can imagine the drifting

Spent most of yesterday digging out - but did manage to get some time in the X-T. Man, what a fantastic vehicle. Had to go to my daughter's house and her street was not plowed - so, I did the job for the City

Just plowed my way thru (in auto) but did get stuck at the end of her street. Put it in 4 lock and she just pulled herself out. I was impressed.

I was also surprised at how straight the X-T "tracked" thru the heavy snow covered roads - you could "feel" the snow under your feet (so to speak) but even that did not make any difference.

My previous experiences in driving SUVs were with a Ford Explorer and a Jeep Cherokee, neither of which would track as well as the X-T.

While it nice to now know that I have a very reliable vehicle for the winter, I'll be just as happy if 'ol man winter were to stay away - either that or I'll put a blade on the front of the X-T

evjm · Feb 3rd, 2006, 09:26 PM

We just got our fill of winter with that storm too

I live in Sydney, Nova Scotia, we got 47 cm here. I've only had the X a couple months so I was a bit nervous. But I definetly was not disappointed!

I had to get my g/f to work because she is a nurse. There was about 25cm down at the time and the plows had been pulled off the roads!! I kept it in Auto most of the time with no problem. I only had to switch to Lock a couple times, once in the parking lot in a drift, the other going uphill on my driveway. I love this rig!

ERBell · Feb 4th, 2006, 08:12 AM

If all the rain we are getting was snow we would be eyes deep in the stuff. I don't envy your winters back east but I could do with out all this rain we are getting here. In BC we are usuially in shorts by now.

P.S.

What are snow tires?

Canada's Far East · Feb 4th, 2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERBell

If all the rain we are getting was snow we would be eyes deep in the stuff. I don't envy your winters back east but I could do with out all this rain we are getting here. In BC we are usuially in shorts by now.

P.S.

What are snow tires?

All Seasons on steroids

terry lingle · Feb 4th, 2006, 10:35 AM

South central BC (Clearwater) it is +3 C. I have not yet mounted the snowblower to the tractor . Normal for this time of year is 5 foot high mountains 30 ft deep where I pile the snow.
I was up inthe top of a mountain at a logging operation last week only 3 inches where normal would be 8 + feet. We may need asbestos shorts this summer if we do not get a lot of rain. Terry

ron519098 · Feb 6th, 2006, 04:31 PM

Much of Europe has had its coldest winter in many years with snow in Athens and some of the Greek islands for goodness sake! We've had the roofs of large buildings collapse in Russian, Poland and Germany due to the weight of snow.

In the UK we've had lots of cold settled weather for the last month with an anticyclone sitting on top of us. That's meant low temperatures but no snow. In fact no precipitation of any description and many areas are experiencing drought already.

Last time I saw any of the white stuff was in November.

I was in the Scottish Highlands at the weekend (didn't drive up but flew to Edinburgh and got a hire car) and with hardly any snow on the mountains ski-resort operators are facing bankruptcy.

Weird!