Oh My God It’s Snowing!
Dec 9th, 2005 by Alex
Snow still inspires wonder and amazement, even in adults. After a four year stint in upstate New York I came to realize how little Maryland knows about snow.
Last week when it started to snow during the workday, office workers were pressing their faces against the glass to get a better view of the snow that was falling slowly to the ground. It was as if they’d never seen it before. A good 50% of them went home immediately to avoid the rush, in fact causing a rush.
Yesterday every meteorologist was predicting various things for the DC Metro area. I heard 2-4 inches, then 4-8 inches, then that it would be nothing but ice. Everyone in the office was flocking to the windows in anticipation of some wintry mix.
At 0515 this morning I got paged with the news that all Anne Arundel County Public Schools would be closed today, including the central office. I roll out of bed and see that there’s about two inches on the ground. I look to the right and can see that the street is plowed clean. I also notice that it’s not snowing. I go back to sleep.
Here in Maryland, public schools are cancelled on the threat of snow. It could be perfectly fine one morning after a storm: roads clear, no precipitation, clear day, warming up, etc. Schools would still be out for the day since administrators had “called it” the previous day.
Even with more snow, New York knows how to handle it. They don’t go around spreading three tons of sand and salt every 50 feet. Residents know how to drive on snow and ice. Class was never cancelled on account of snow. We’d typically drive in six inches of the stuff.
On snow days in Maryland, I wish was still in New York.
As a homeowner, I’m required (by the rules of my homeowners association and possibly by local and/or state law [although don't quote me on that]) to clear my sidewalks the same morning of a snow fall. If it snows overnight, I’m supposed to shovel in the morning. If it snows during the day, I’m supposed to shovel in the evening… all over this laaaaaaand! But seriously, why shovel the walk when no one walks on it. Everyone drives. Hell, the only time anyone walks on it is to collect their mail. But the mailboxes are the next street over, and most people would opt to drive with the weather what it is. I just don’t understand.
* Odd Fact: I still have a pager. Yes, a one-way Motorola Advisor Elite with SkyTel service. It comes with the job, and although I’m not a big fan of having it, I do get a handful of useful messages on it every once in a while.
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