02-06-2011, 01:23 AM
Hi,
Of course, in areas that get one or two snowstorms a decade, the people don't know how to drive on it. Even those that did are out of practice. You can spot the skiers because they are in control. And, again of course, in those regions people don't have the gear (good tires, chains, etc.) and the roads aren't cleared. To that extent, you are right.
However, ice is a different matter. It will give even a good winter driver a challenge, especially if it's close to the freezing point and the pressure of driving on it gives a thin layer of liquid between the tires and the ice. In those conditions, the only thing that really works is studded tires on all four wheels (or just on the front if the car is front wheel drive and you're good enough to use the Swedish rally technique).
If the temperatures are low enough, you'll never see snow turn to ice. It will turn to hard-pack, but that's not too bad. However, if the temperature is close to freezing, then the snow can partially melt by day and then refreeze by night, giving true ice. The worst case is when a layer of ice forms and then a nice layer of fine powder lands on it. That's when you pray for a deep snowfall so that your tires never touch the ice. Or a Chinook.
Half the fun of skiing is getting there.
--Pete
(02-05-2011, 10:31 PM)DeeBye Wrote: I've heard of this phenomenon before, but I have never seen snow turn to ice on a road unless there is very fast thawing and re-freezing going on, or sheer volume of traffic is flattening the snow into ice.
Of course, in areas that get one or two snowstorms a decade, the people don't know how to drive on it. Even those that did are out of practice. You can spot the skiers because they are in control. And, again of course, in those regions people don't have the gear (good tires, chains, etc.) and the roads aren't cleared. To that extent, you are right.
However, ice is a different matter. It will give even a good winter driver a challenge, especially if it's close to the freezing point and the pressure of driving on it gives a thin layer of liquid between the tires and the ice. In those conditions, the only thing that really works is studded tires on all four wheels (or just on the front if the car is front wheel drive and you're good enough to use the Swedish rally technique).
If the temperatures are low enough, you'll never see snow turn to ice. It will turn to hard-pack, but that's not too bad. However, if the temperature is close to freezing, then the snow can partially melt by day and then refreeze by night, giving true ice. The worst case is when a layer of ice forms and then a nice layer of fine powder lands on it. That's when you pray for a deep snowfall so that your tires never touch the ice. Or a Chinook.
Half the fun of skiing is getting there.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?