Winter in the Midwest [Archive]

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SwordsMaster

11-21-2007, 22:44

Hey hey hey...

I'm not quite in the Santa spirit yet, but I was planning on spending my christmas holidays in Wisconsin this year, and I would like to know if the patrons here have tips, advice, gastronomical suggestions, etc for my first visit across the Big Pond.

So go on. Hit me.:yes:

seireikhaan

11-21-2007, 23:14

Did someone say winter?

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x246/greaterkhaan/snow.jpg

Our first snow of the season here in Iowa.:beam: I just know I'm gonna have fun shoveling all of it in the morning.:sad:

Csargo

11-21-2007, 23:26

Mild winter is mild. It's been at the lowest 47, it's around the high 60's now. Quite enjoyable.

Strike For The South

11-22-2007, 05:40

What in Gods name is snow?

seireikhaan

11-22-2007, 05:55

That would in fact be the white flakes that fall from the sky sometimes when it gets cold. Coincidentally, Texas seems to experience this phenomon once every few winters, and hilarity ensues.

Papewaio

11-22-2007, 07:16

What in Gods name is snow?

I think it is a drug like ice which makes the users feel cold and their vision becomes blurred with everything seems white. The northerners problem is across the board. Apparently it is so bad that entire schools will not have students turn up and corporations will have employees phone in saying that they have snowed in. At least they can admit they have a drug problem.

Ice

11-22-2007, 07:36

Apparently it is so bad that entire schools will not have students turn up and corporations will have employees phone in saying that they have snowed in. At least they can admit they have a drug problem.

I go to university in the middle of a mountain range. Last winter we got so much snow, the entire university shut down for the day. That almost NEVER happens. First time in 10 years I believe.

Csargo

11-22-2007, 08:33

Sigurd

11-22-2007, 09:53

I go to university in the middle of a mountain range. Last winter we got so much snow, the entire university shut down for the day. That almost NEVER happens. First time in 10 years I believe.
What!!!! You shut down for snow? :laugh4:

Pharnakes

11-22-2007, 10:10

I think it is a drug like ice which makes the users feel cold and their vision becomes blurred with everything seems white. The northerners problem is across the board. Apparently it is so bad that entire schools will not have students turn up and corporations will have employees phone in saying that they have snowed in. At least they can admit they have a drug problem.

I go to university in the middle of a mountain range. Last winter we got so much snow, the entire university shut down for the day. That almost NEVER happens. First time in 10 years I believe.

Your name is Ice. You confess to using snow. I suspect an international drug syndicate!

Beirut

11-22-2007, 12:43

What in Gods name is snow?

That which imparts only upon those who experience it the highest capacity for love and all of its consequences, actions, and benefits.

~:smoking: Brrrrrrr...

Vladimir

11-23-2007, 17:10

I hope you like wind that feels like 1,000 razor blades.

edyzmedieval

11-23-2007, 19:02

I just can't wait for snow. It makes me feel fuzzy and loving. ~:grouphug:

Vladimir

11-23-2007, 19:56

Read Falcon and the Snowman. :2thumbsup:

Strike For The South

11-24-2007, 02:54

That would in fact be the white flakes that fall from the sky sometimes when it gets cold. Coincidentally, Texas seems to experience this phenomon once every few winters, and hilarity ensues.

I feel sorry for you you're from Iowa

seireikhaan

11-24-2007, 05:33

I feel sorry for you you're from Iowa
Hey, what's that mean? We got lots of stuff here in Iowa. Like corn...and...umm...and soy beans...and...stuff...yeah.

Oh, and we're one of the top states in alternative energy/fuel sources and education. But not like America really cares about those things.

Strike For The South

11-24-2007, 06:09

Hey, what's that mean? We got lots of stuff here in Iowa. Like corn...and...umm...and soy beans...and...stuff...yeah.

Oh, and we're one of the top states in alternative energy/fuel sources and education. But not like America really cares about those things.

https://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5214/23051063bg4.th.jpg (https://img254.imageshack.us/my.php?image=23051063bg4.jpg)

Louis VI the Fat

11-25-2007, 20:15

I think Strike really has snow idea what a proper winter looks like.

But fear not! We all know nothing is beyond Texans (http://www.bearfireresorts.com/):

Utilizing new (and fairly new/old) technology to lower surrounding air temperatures, create a new snowflex snow, among many other things...they're creating a year-round snow park resort in Texas. Complete with their own 35 acre, 250ft tall manmade mountain.

https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/89/homebgng3.jpg

Uesugi Kenshin

11-25-2007, 23:27

I think Strike really has snow idea what a proper winter looks like.

But fear not! We all know nothing is beyond Texans (http://www.bearfireresorts.com/):

https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/89/homebgng3.jpg

Whatever guys, Vermont still offers far better winters. That may come to an end with global warming though...And your resort probably causes global warming!:wall:

Crazed Rabbit

11-26-2007, 05:46

Utilizing new (and fairly new/old) technology to lower surrounding air temperatures, create a new snowflex snow, among many other things...they're creating a year-round snow park resort in Texas. Complete with their own 35 acre, 250ft tall manmade mountain trash pile.

Corrected.

~;p

CR

spmetla

11-26-2007, 09:04

Wonder if it will snow on Mauna Kea, it didn't last year so I missed out on the only snow I could have seen in a few years. :thumbsdown:

Oh well, sunny and in the mid 70s today!

Sigurd

11-26-2007, 11:59

Just so all you guys believing in the global warming crap understands,
I had to dig out my car this morning and it was snowing hard all the way to work.
It's all a hoax, the end of snow... pfff!!! :beam:

SwordsMaster

11-30-2007, 01:41

Thanks for all the replies guys, although I did expect them to be slightly more practical... Snow bragging is fine and all, but i actually need some advice:

The travel plan includes Chicago, Milwaukee (is that how it's spelt?), and Madison, so, again activities advice, nice restaurants, blues bars, etc wil be much appreciated.

Crazed Rabbit

11-30-2007, 01:45

Do you know how to drive in the snow? And by snow I mean several inches on the road. It's not something to take lightly, especially if you haven't done it before. I don't know how you plan on getting around (taxis, friends, etc.) but its something to keep in mind.

That's about it for relevant advice.

CR

seireikhaan

11-30-2007, 01:49

Well, honestly, I'm not very familiar with those cities, to be honest. I would strongly recommend grabbing some pizza while in Chicago, its quite good. Also, I would be careful with Madison, logistically. Me and my dad still aren't quite sure how we spent 45 minutes on the highway that technically runs through it. Also, be prepared for road construction, so make sure to allow yourself plenty of time when going about. Chicago is infamous for it, and Madison also had some going on when I went through about a month ago. Also, when you go to Milwaukee: go to the area of the Marquette campus. There is, at one of the corners, a very nice sports pub/club of sorts, with rather good food, and a complementary bowling alley and basketball hoop in the building as well.:beam: That's about all I can really help with.

Ironside

11-30-2007, 10:12

What in Gods name is snow?
This...

https://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6626/880401utsiktgenomvardagsrumsfn.jpg

is...

https://img423.imageshack.us/img423/2717/880401utsiktgenomvardagsrumsfn1.jpg

snow...

SwordsMaster

12-03-2007, 23:35

Heh, great pictures. Thanks for the advice guys. Any more?

spmetla

12-05-2007, 20:17

While I've never lived in the midwest my dad grew up in Wisconsin and has told me stories about those winters there. I'd say that in bad weather be prepared for delays, if renting a car be sure to have snow chains for the tires as well as a good emergency kit, and to pack plenty of cold weather gear.

He grew up in Oshkosh area but this was the 1940s/50s so undoubtedly the weather patters have probably changed.

Oh, and if you enjoy cross country skiing he says that this used to be his favorite winter sport besides ice skating/ice boating.

And be sure to sample local cheeses, meats, and beer. According to my dad it's the only state in the US that he places their goods as close to equal to their German equivalents. The fish is also supposed to be good seeing how a lot of it is cod off Newfoundland, but like I said this is all second hand advice and a few decades old.

Ice

12-06-2007, 01:15

Screw winter.

Seriously. I walk outside this morning and it is snowing. I walk out of work, it is slushly (nasty brown snow), snowing, and COLD.

I miss summer. :skull:

Martok

12-06-2007, 06:36

Heh, great pictures. Thanks for the advice guys. Any more?
Bearing in mind that winters in Wisconsin usually aren't *quite* as bad as they are here in neighboring Minnesota, my advice should still be pertinent:

Be prepared for unpredictable temperature fluctuations, and for weather forecasts that bear little resemblance to what the weather actually *is* that day. (My uncle always likes to say that "if you don't like the weather around here, just wait 10 minutes".) ~D Jesting aside, it is entirely possible to have days that are above freezing point in the daytime, only to see temperatures plunge towards 0 at night. Which brings up another point....

Remember that the U.S. is one of the relatively few nations that still primarily measures temperature in Fahrenheit instead of Centigrade. So when you see a weather report stating that it's going to be around 0 degrees, keep in mind that that translates to around -20 C. (For a simple translation between the two grades, go here (http://www.dia.org/education/egypt-teachers/mathsci/wilson/scale.htm).)

While it goes without saying that it's definitely chillier up here this time of year, there's "cold" and then there's "COLD"! Anything below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (or around -5 degrees Centigrade) is generally considered uncomfortable even by the standards of most Midwesterners, and you'll want to make sure you're completely bundled up if you're outside for any length of time in temperatures that low.

Finally, I'll second Crazed Rabbit in cautioning you about getting around in winter weather. Even if there's not a lot of snow on the ground, it can still be dangerous to those who aren't used to driving on it. Proceed with extreme caution!

Ice

12-06-2007, 16:17

*Ice wakes up*

*Ice half asleep checks the weather*

*Ice gets pissed*

19°F
Feels Like
13°F
Updated Dec 6 10:00 a.m. ET

*Ice hates winter*

Lemur

12-06-2007, 16:21

Louis VI the Fat

12-06-2007, 16:28

To echo Strike's famous words:

What in God's name is a 'Big Empty Parking Lot' ??

~:confused:

drone

12-06-2007, 16:48

To echo Strike's famous words:

What in God's name is a 'Big Empty Parking Lot' ??

~:confused:
Well, around here you can find one at any public school when there is any semblance of snow or ice on the ground. ~:rolleyes:

Best bet is to find a large church, not on a Sunday. Plenty of room to do spins and have general fun on the snow. Watch out for light poles though.

Sigurd

12-07-2007, 09:36

I love winter, and I'll third the suggestion that driving is a different experience when there's ice and/or snow on the ground. My advice if you're going to be driving: find a big, empty parking lot covered in snow. Drive your vehicle around in it. Practice turning and braking in particular. After twenty minutes of this, you should get a feel for it.
I am a little worried now... Do you mean to say that driving on a skidpan is not part of the drivers licence course?
:no:
We had to do two courses. First in a school car and later with your own car.

drone

12-07-2007, 16:41

I am a little worried now... Do you mean to say that driving on a skidpan is not part of the drivers licence course?
:no:
We had to do two courses. First in a school car and later with your own car.
Well, you live in a country that has to drive on snow for what, 6 months out of the year? Over here, everybody pretty much has to learn on their own. Some states up north might require it, but I haven't heard of it being a requirement. My dad took me to an icy lot a few times to get me used to it when I had my learner's permit. Not everyone does, though, which means it gets really interesting when it snows/sleets in areas where snow is not common.

woad&fangs

12-07-2007, 20:47

I wouldn't know about driving in winter conditions, seeing as thanks to my dear daddy my vehicle is stuck in our front yard:furious3: Last time he came home(He's a semi truck driver) he moved the minivan into our front yard so he could park his truck in our driveway. That night (last saturday) we had a big snow of about 6 inches. Then he used the snowblower and blew it all around my vehicle. Then it warmed up just enough so all the snow could melt and then freeze again into solid chunks of Ice:furious3:

In other news it went below 0 degrees farenheit for the first time this year, yesterday. I still didn't bother wearing a coat. I wore a coat for shoveling the snow(The snowblower isn't working now too:furious3: ) but that was the first time in more than a year that I have worn a coat for something besides deer hunting.

Also, Madison, Wisconsin has already used their entire snow removal budget for the year after 3 snowfalls. A round of Applause for our brilliant city leaders:shame:

Driving in snow and ice isn't required to get your licence up here.

SwordsMaster

12-07-2007, 23:42

Also, Madison, Wisconsin has already used their entire snow removal budget for the year after 3 snowfalls. A round of Applause for our brilliant city leaders:shame:

Driving in snow and ice isn't required to get your licence up here.

Is that the budget for 07 or 08? Or is that for the whole winter? Because that'll be fun as soon as nobody can get to work... or shopping...

woad&fangs

12-07-2007, 23:51

they added more money into the snow removal budget(for the whole winter) but it still is amazing that they only got through 3 snowfalls with the money they had originally budgeted.

Ice

12-08-2007, 01:35

Well, you live in a country that has to drive on snow for what, 6 months out of the year? Over here, everybody pretty much has to learn on their own. Some states up north might require it, but I haven't heard of it being a requirement. My dad took me to an icy lot a few times to get me used to it when I had my learner's permit. Not everyone does, though, which means it gets really interesting when it snows/sleets in areas where snow is not common.

No states require it that I know of. I got my license in Pennsylvania and my sister got her's in Michigan. Both didn't require snow driving.