Al Gore Explains 'Snowmageddon'

[HTRN]

That's because they're not allowed to dump it in the rivers like they used to(Thanks NY DEP! ). They actually have these snowmelters now, but you don't see 'em outside of Manhattan, and even then, Wallstreet, Times square and Midtown mostly. There's talk of relaxing the restriction, as we're about 40% higher total for the average winter, and we have almost all of February and most of march to worry about.

[Greg]

That's because they're not allowed to dump it in the rivers like they used to(Thanks NY DEP! ). They actually have these snowmelters now, but you don't see 'em outside of Manhattan, and even then, Wallstreet, Times square and Midtown mostly. There's talk of relaxing the restriction, as we're about 40% higher total for the average winter, and we have almost all of February and most of march to worry about.

I read that they've given the go-ahead to dump cleared snow in the rivers, at least in Jersey. So we've got that going for us.

[HTRN]

The big concern is runoff - salt and trash scooped up and dumped into the river. Somehow though, when all that crap is run through a melter, which dumps into storm drains, which winds up in, you guessed it, either the Hudson or the East river.

[SoupOrMan]

Looks like I'd better get a pair of snowshoes and some decent skates if that Bastardi guy is close to accurate.

[Termite]

The big concern is runoff - salt....

Why do you guys keep using salt? It seems to be a NE thing.
I spent a winter at Ft Knox, and they didn't salt the roads, just scraped and brushed them, and put down sand or rice gravel.

I've driven on snow several times, and I didn't find that difficult, just requires your full attention and greater care. Slower speeds and allow more margin for error.
Now ice is another story, although not impossible. We don't salt our bridges down here when they ice up, we either close them, or spread a bunch of sand on them.

[Jered]

The big concern is runoff - salt....

Why do you guys keep using salt? It seems to be a NE thing.
I spent a winter at Ft Knox, and they didn't salt the roads, just scraped and brushed them, and put down sand or rice gravel.

I've driven on snow several times, and I didn't find that difficult, just requires your full attention and greater care. Slower speeds and allow more margin for error.
Now ice is another story, although not impossible. We don't salt our bridges down here when they ice up, we either close them, or spread a bunch of sand on them.

In 2008 the city of Seattle wouldn't use salt to clear the frozen roads for fear it might end up in the ocean.

[princewally]

The big concern is runoff - salt....

Why do you guys keep using salt? It seems to be a NE thing.
I spent a winter at Ft Knox, and they didn't salt the roads, just scraped and brushed them, and put down sand or rice gravel.

I've driven on snow several times, and I didn't find that difficult, just requires your full attention and greater care. Slower speeds and allow more margin for error.
Now ice is another story, although not impossible. We don't salt our bridges down here when they ice up, we either close them, or spread a bunch of sand on them.

It's not actually possible to spend a winter at Fort Knox. They don't have one. at least, not for any meaningful definition of "winter".

Minnesota goes through a LOT of salt every winter. Where there's snow and long-term freezing temperatures, there will be ice. Cars compress the snow, a bright day will melt snow, which immediately refreezes, a warm day melts the snow to refreeze at night, etc.

I haven't seen my grass since the first week of November, and won't until the end of March. With a real winter, shutting down ANYTHING in a city due to ice and snow is impossible. When it's really bad, they'll shut down a road just long enough to run a staggered formation of plows through. That's only "shut down" by a sign truck driving a quarter mile behind the plows as a warning.

[JAG2955]

The big concern is runoff - salt....

Why do you guys keep using salt? It seems to be a NE thing.
I spent a winter at Ft Knox, and they didn't salt the roads, just scraped and brushed them, and put down sand or rice gravel.

I've driven on snow several times, and I didn't find that difficult, just requires your full attention and greater care. Slower speeds and allow more margin for error.
Now ice is another story, although not impossible. We don't salt our bridges down here when they ice up, we either close them, or spread a bunch of sand on them.

Salt depresses the freezing point of water. In other words, it will actively melt the snow. In my opinion, sand makes things worse sometimes; it will hang around even after the snow has gone away. Plus, it doesn't dissolve, and then you have to find a place for dirty sand. Now a lot of times, they'll spray magnesium chloride or calcium chloride on the road before it snows to prevent accumulation.

[Termite]

It's not actually possible to spend a winter at Fort Knox. They don't have one. at least, not for any meaningful definition of "winter".

Minnesota goes through a LOT of salt every winter. Where there's snow and long-term freezing temperatures, there will be ice. Cars compress the snow, a bright day will melt snow, which immediately refreezes, a warm day melts the snow to refreeze at night, etc.

I haven't seen my grass since the first week of November, and won't until the end of March. With a real winter, shutting down ANYTHING in a city due to ice and snow is impossible. When it's really bad, they'll shut down a road just long enough to run a staggered formation of plows through. That's only "shut down" by a sign truck driving a quarter mile behind the plows as a warning.

Ft Knox winter certainly isn't subzero Minnesota winter, Wally, but it's uncomfortable enough for most folks. Particularly when the Army issue gear isn't quite up to the job.
Standing on a rifle range in a 15F, 20 mph wind with snow hitting you in face qualifies as winter, IMHO. It didn't help things that our DI made us run to the range that morning, instead of march. Sweaty clothing just made things worse.

[Termite]

Salt depresses the freezing point of water. Now a lot of times, they'll spray magnesium chloride or calcium chloride on the road before it snows to prevent accumulation.

I know what ordinary salt does, but it's hard on cars, bridges, etc. Doesn't help plants much, either.
Down here, sand isn't much of a problem afterward, you just use a road brush to move it onto the shoulders.