Author Topic: WHERE ARE ALL THE GRITTERS? (Read 9379 times)

UK_SL · « **on:** December 18, 2009, 05:10:49 am »

I live in North Yorkshire, UK and we have had snow yesterday and today and once again there is utter chaos on the roads. We live on up a busy housing estate and there are no gritters on the road. We get this every fucking year, when are the local councils gonna learn to prepare for this. We have not seen any gritters on the road and - where are all the gritters?

?

carousel · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2009, 05:26:41 am »

Thought you Northerners were made of sterner stuff and wouldn't need namby, pamby grit.

We have the opposite. They gritted the pavements last night, but just no snow.

UK_SL · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2009, 05:34:30 am »

Quote from: carousel on December 18, 2009, 05:26:41 am

Thought you Northerners were made of sterner stuff and wouldn't need namby, pamby grit.

We have the opposite. They gritted the pavements last night, but just no snow.

Well I'm only a pretend Northerner, I moved here from Devon last year. I'm really a soft Devonshire dumpling.

Ann · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2009, 05:40:02 am »

Come live on the Rock where there's too much salt in the air for the snow to stick more than a minute!

minismom · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2009, 05:49:38 am »

We have the same problem here. For the past 2 days we've had clear blue sky - albeit 20F - and the trucks were everywhere! Predicted snow fall in the next 48hrs is 3-5 inches and we'll never see one. Going today to get salt for the drive (which winds downhill) so I can at least get to the main road - if you dare call a 1 lane, 2-directional, country paved pathway a "road".

Mum

MarkB · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:16:43 am »

This is so typical of us Brits: quarter inch of snow and the whole country grinds to a halt. In other parts of the world they get two or three feet of the stuff dumped on them and they just carry on regardless ...

J.R.E. · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:34:03 am »

58 years of age, and I" thinking "what are gritters". ( I thought you meant critters) I never heard that expression before,

We just called them salt trucks. LOL

Living in Western New York, in the snow belt, half my life, we always had plenty of salt trucks. I've had many a car eaten away by the salt.

Ray

john33 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:42:09 am »

nothing new there they do the same thing every year, it's one of the few things in life we can rely on. politicians lie, councils f*** up, never win the lottery. or you could always do the same as me and move to the south of France and get rid of the ice thing

Jeff G · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:35:17 am »

I live in Alabama , that's the southern US for you Brits . If we have snow flurries here its a major news event . The local TV stations will preempt TV shows and go out for live a broadcast of at best a dusting of the white stuff . I read last night that we may have morning snow flurries Christmas morning . If we do the whole city will shut down LOL .

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:07:16 am »

People in the UK are such lightweights with snow accumulation. Currently Philadelphia is forecast to receive 6-12" of snow in the next 36 hours. I'm thinking it may be the higher amount, as when I went to bed last night the forecast was just 6" and by the time I woke up the storm had shifted further north and aiming squarely at our entire metro area.

By the way, a storm of this magnitude this early in the season is exceptionally odd here.

john33 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:13:57 am »

i have to agree miss p i remember to well that with the first snowflake there was panic lol

S*** i'm starting to sound like my grandad $:-\$

GSOgymrat · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:20:01 am »

Quote from: MarkB on December 18, 2009, 07:16:43 am

This is so typical of us Brits: quarter inch of snow and the whole country grinds to a halt. In other parts of the world they get two or three feet of the stuff dumped on them and they just carry on regardless ...

It is like that in the southeastern US. I remember they closed school one year because the forcast was calling for snow and we never got a flake. I would love to get snow but not so much that I have to stay at work.

"Gritters" was new to me too. I initially assumed it was people who love to eat grits.

john33 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:22:37 am »

Quote from: GSOgymrat on December 18, 2009, 09:20:01 am

"Gritters" was new to me too. I initially assumed it was people who love to eat grits.

no it's just what us brits call the trucks that salt the roads( and ruin the paintjob on cars lol)

GSOgymrat · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:28:48 am »

I just looked at our local news. Once again closing schools without a flake of snow.

Accumulations could be 2 to 5 inches by sunset Friday with eventual snowfall amounts of 8 to 12 inches over the Piedmont Triad, the National Weather Service in Raleigh said early Friday morning. In addition to Guilford, many other area schools are closing early.

The accompanying photo showed a gritter.

Assurbanipal · « **Reply #14 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:30:14 am »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on December 18, 2009, 09:07:16 am

People in the UK are such lightweights with snow accumulation. Currently Philadelphia is forecast to receive 6-12" of snow in the next 36 hours. I'm thinking it may be the higher amount, as when I went to bed last night the forecast was just 6" and by the time I woke up the storm had shifted further north and aiming squarely at our entire metro area.

By the way, a storm of this magnitude this early in the season is exceptionally odd here.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

Looks like we will only get about 6 inches here to the north of you though.

No problems with sand trucks here (our road goes past the hospital)

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:35:47 am »

This map shows DC getting 12+ but that area of the forecast keeps inching closer to me by the hour. I don't think they have a handle on the storm track quite yet -- not to mention just a couple days ago I don't even recall seeing anything about this possibility at all:

UK_SL · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:57:28 am »

Quote from: MarkB on December 18, 2009, 07:16:43 am

This is so typical of us Brits: quarter inch of snow and the whole country grinds to a halt. In other parts of the world they get two or three feet of the stuff dumped on them and they just carry on regardless ...

Yes but in other parts of the world where they get snow all year round they are better equip ed to deal with it, we are not used to it here.

RapidRod · « **Reply #17 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:59:25 am »

They don't use so much rock salt here as they use salt brime. Nasty shit to get off the windshield. The state stopped the salt when it went up so high in price. You may see them put some down at the intersections and overpasses but that is about it.

leatherman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 18, 2009, 10:08:36 am »

MMM grits.

That's just another one of the reasons I left OH and moved back down to SC.

I can't believe that the very year I leave the North after 25 yrs to escape the blizzards, to go live in a place where it snows only once a year and snows as early as Christmas time only once every 20-30 years, that I just woke up to sleet and snowflakes the week before Christmas

Now they are all going to blame me for bringing the Yankee weather down here.

Assurbanipal · « **Reply #19 on:** December 18, 2009, 10:11:11 am »

Quote from: leatherman on December 18, 2009, 10:08:36 am

Now they are all going to blame me for bringing the Yankee weather down here.

So is that a leather carpetbag?

john33 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 18, 2009, 10:12:13 am »

i get blamed for the same thing here except it has more to do with the rain

GSOgymrat · « **Reply #21 on:** December 18, 2009, 10:15:38 am »

Quote from: leatherman on December 18, 2009, 10:08:36 am

MMM grits. That's just another one of the reasons I left OH and moved back down to SC.

I can't believe that the very year I leave the North after 25 yrs to escape the blizzards, to go live in a place where it snows only once a year and snows as early as Christmas time only once every 20-30 years, that I just woke up to sleet and snowflakes the week before Christmas Now they are all going to blame me for bringing the Yankee weather down here.

Thanks! I'm going to start calling you snow miser!

Moffie65 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 18, 2009, 10:56:20 am »

First off, I love my grits! It was the only thing I could keep down when I had PCP both times. Grits 'n eggs, grits 'n eggs. MMMMMMM good!

Secondly, during "El Nino", we always have loads of rain and snow, but the snow doesn't stay around past 10 in the morning. However, one inch of snow in the high deserts of Arizona, brings the whole state to a halt until it melts. Only the northeast immigrants are out in it and trying to drive.

leatherman · « **Reply #23 on:** December 18, 2009, 11:36:59 am »

Quote

leather carpetbag
snow miser

ROFLMAO

I'm Mister White Christmas, I'm Mister Snow
I'm Mister Icicle, I'm Mister Ten Below
Friends call me Snow Miser
What ever I touch turns to snow in my clutch
I'm too much!

mikie
aka leatherman aka ComputerTutor aka the MuffinMan aka SnowMiser etc.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #24 on:** December 18, 2009, 06:12:50 pm »

Quote from: J.R.E. on December 18, 2009, 07:34:03 am

58 years of age, and I" thinking "what are gritters". ( I thought you meant critters) I never heard that expression before, We just called them salt trucks. LOL

Ray

I am 58 years of age also and I was wondering what a gritter was too. I know what a grifter is but, I saw snow the first time in my life last year. Brrr too cold, to the bar, to the bar, to the bar!

Have the best day
Michael

GNYC09 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:50:15 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on December 18, 2009, 09:07:16 am

People in the UK are such lightweights with snow accumulation. Currently Philadelphia is forecast to receive 6-12" of snow in the next 36 hours. I'm thinking it may be the higher amount, as when I went to bed last night the forecast was just 6" and by the time I woke up the storm had shifted further north and aiming squarely at our entire metro area.

By the way, a storm of this magnitude this early in the season is exceptionally odd here.

Same here. I hope the snow doesn't hamper my ability to get to the movie theater to see AVATAR...

Ann · « **Reply #26 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:52:33 pm »

I just woke up after a few hours of sleep - because I was gritting my teeth. I blame this thread.

OCboy84 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 19, 2009, 08:36:16 am »

i live in LA...coming home to the UK in a few days...i'm dreaming for snow and gritters

...hey Rod...is it ok if i post here? i'm sure u'll let me know. Happy holidays

Cliff · « **Reply #28 on:** December 19, 2009, 09:00:58 am »

This has been a bit of a let down! No snow days here. It was more like the great blizzard of 2:15 pm, cos it lasted all of 2 minutes on Thursday. Since then we just get a light dusting of snow every so often. Freezing cold, though. But I don't mind. Sunny and freezing, beats grey, wet and miserable anyday.

minismom · « **Reply #29 on:** December 19, 2009, 10:45:43 am »

The map is a bit outdated already, Philly. We woke up to 8 inches of snow on the ground and its still falling. In our higher elevations (eastern counties high in the Allegheny moutains) there's already 18 inches and counting. Our more western counties (closer to Ohio boarder) only had an inch as of this morning. It's the nasty, heavy, wet stuff, too. And, as predicted, not a gritter in site.

Our governor has asked the entire state to stay home. I'm sure retailers are happy about that - this the last weekend before Christmas. Yet another lesson in early planning, on-time shopping, and stopping the procrastination.

Hubby and the boys are gearing up for shoveling. Girls and I gearing up to watch from the warm comfort of our home. Electric has blinked and the cables been off and on. Bathtub is filled so we can flush toilets and bottled water is in the fridge for drinking. With well water, if there's no electricity, there's no water (or heat, or cooking).

Mum

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #30 on:** December 19, 2009, 06:53:04 pm »

Quote from: minismom on December 19, 2009, 10:45:43 am

Electric has blinked and the cables been off and on. Bathtub is filled so we can flush toilets and bottled water is in the fridge for drinking. With well water, if there's no electricity, there's no water (or heat, or cooking).

Mum

I live in a resort community but off season when the electric goes off, it may be off for a day or two. The rich neighbors all have generators but, I keep candles and flashlights but there is only cooking over the wood burning stove. Sometimes I wonder what we would do if we had snow, it doesn't snow on the Pacific coast at sea level.

Have the best day
Michael

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #31 on:** December 19, 2009, 11:56:25 pm »

Quote from: minismom on December 19, 2009, 10:45:43 am

The map is a bit outdated already, Philly.

it was not outdated when first posted. The link updates ever few hours as the storm develops.

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #32 on:** December 20, 2009, 05:20:59 am »

Just hit 53 here tonight. I might have to break out a windbreaker!

rondrond · « **Reply #33 on:** December 20, 2009, 07:00:49 am »

I've never heard of gritters: we use sand: so we have to watch out for the sand trucks. I think they stopped using salt because it rusted the bottoms out on cars. Mom would have to have the bottom of the car 'coated' now and then.

I was too young, to remember, I just wanted the snow. Nasty 'ol trucks going around and trying to melt and get rid of it.

minismom · « **Reply #34 on:** December 20, 2009, 10:23:07 am »

Cable finally came back on after being off since yesterday morning. Officail totals - yard: 9 1/2 inches, top of cars: 7 inches. Got some really cute pictures of the kids in the snow. They were out in it for nearly 2 hours. Governor called a state of emergency for our entire state.

Gritters finally came by yesterday evening and have been by a bunch this morning. Our road is coated in white, but from up here hard to tell if it's from the salt or the snow. I wish they'd run one up and down our driveway.

Mum

Philly, I was just giving you a hard time. All we heard leading up to this story was how we'd get 1 or 2 inches of snow. Then, BLAM - nearly 10 inches here, 14 at my parents' house and up to 27 inches in some areas.

rondrond · « **Reply #35 on:** December 20, 2009, 12:43:43 pm »

Q. What do snowmen wear on their heads?
A. Ice caps.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #36 on:** December 21, 2009, 12:54:31 am »

21.3 inches in Philadelphia

I also hand washed 8 sweaters and did five loads of laundry

leese43 · « **Reply #37 on:** December 21, 2009, 01:31:54 pm »

Around 2cm's (probably less than quarter inch) in London and took an hour to do a 10min drive lol. I slipped on the ice this morning and landed on my knees... yes i'm a lightweight!

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Author Topic: WHERE ARE ALL THE GRITTERS? (Read 9379 times)