That snow closure map with very little snow causing closures so far north into the Portland and Seattle areas (where I grew up) confuses some people. It is the steep hills, the bridges over waterways, and the infrequency of major snow that makes it so that region can get slowed or stopped by snow. Often there is no snow at sea level, but the hills around these cities can be well over 1,000 ft above sea level making it so, for example, a school bus would need to chain up to get some kids up one hill, drop down to a level where they remove the chains, then go up another hill to get more kids and need to chain up, then drop again and need to take the chains off again...
I also got to experience a school cancellation when I was in junior high where during PE it was over 60 degrees in April, and then by lunch we had snow pouring down. We didn't get a lot of snow, but it was very unpredictable too!
I love hearing how the northern students respond to the southern students when they ask about whether classes will be canceled when it snows. I assume you had similar fun in Richmond.
Good article. I particularly like the school closure amount map. Where did you find that?
One thing you don't mention is the total long run average cost. I think in the case of Houston, $170k is a reasonable amount for a once-a-decade event. But how much can it really cost to have some plows in storage that you can bolt onto a city dump truck when needed? Seems like Atlanta would've made out in the long run doing that, if the cost of not having them is almost $3M for a single citywide shutdown.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast is getting 5" of snow while here in Blacksburg we barely get a measly 3". My #2 choice, Michigan Tech, gets 220" a year. Maybe I should've bumped it to #1! ☃️
I think Atlanta now owns a few snow plows (~8), but it's more of a scale issue given their sprawl. Having a dozen plows in a city that's the size of Massachusetts doesn't do much so why pay for the maintenance at all?
That snow closure map with very little snow causing closures so far north into the Portland and Seattle areas (where I grew up) confuses some people. It is the steep hills, the bridges over waterways, and the infrequency of major snow that makes it so that region can get slowed or stopped by snow. Often there is no snow at sea level, but the hills around these cities can be well over 1,000 ft above sea level making it so, for example, a school bus would need to chain up to get some kids up one hill, drop down to a level where they remove the chains, then go up another hill to get more kids and need to chain up, then drop again and need to take the chains off again...
I also got to experience a school cancellation when I was in junior high where during PE it was over 60 degrees in April, and then by lunch we had snow pouring down. We didn't get a lot of snow, but it was very unpredictable too!
That map is one of my favorites in class and is one of those few times that seems to bring the whole class into a debate about who has it tougher.
Love the map! I always found interesting the different experience regarding snow in PA vs. VA. There could be a rental program between the states!
I love hearing how the northern students respond to the southern students when they ask about whether classes will be canceled when it snows. I assume you had similar fun in Richmond.
Good article. I particularly like the school closure amount map. Where did you find that?
One thing you don't mention is the total long run average cost. I think in the case of Houston, $170k is a reasonable amount for a once-a-decade event. But how much can it really cost to have some plows in storage that you can bolt onto a city dump truck when needed? Seems like Atlanta would've made out in the long run doing that, if the cost of not having them is almost $3M for a single citywide shutdown.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast is getting 5" of snow while here in Blacksburg we barely get a measly 3". My #2 choice, Michigan Tech, gets 220" a year. Maybe I should've bumped it to #1! ☃️
Here's the school closure map: https://sashamaps.net/docs/maps/snow-days/
I think Atlanta now owns a few snow plows (~8), but it's more of a scale issue given their sprawl. Having a dozen plows in a city that's the size of Massachusetts doesn't do much so why pay for the maintenance at all?