After the last big storm about a month back, I decided to buy a new set of snow tires to replace my bald Blizzaks that lasted me 5 seasons. I had been running my all seasons for the winter, but after I got stuck in my driveway a few times, I broke down and bought new snows. I got a set of General Altimax Arctics dirt cheap from Discount Tire Direct around President's day. It got warm for a couple weeks, so I tossed them in the garage for next season.
Then, I heard the weather a week ago was going to include potential for two storms, so I got them mounted on my winter steelies last Thursday. First storm was a bust, but they proved their worth yesterday.
We had to go into work yesterday, but they let us out early around noon. That was the height of the storm south of Boston. The roads were TERRIBLE. I opted to take the back roads home instead of the highway, and most of them were not plowed. That said, the tires did their job, and I made it home no problem! If I had on the "no seasons", I would have not gotten far.
After I got home, I fired up my aging snowblower to clear the driveway. During the last storm, I adjusted the governor on it so it wouldn't bog down under load. That made all the difference. It ripped through all the slush, and while it did clog a couple times, it got the job done. Then, it started pouring. Also, I found a new leak in my basement; it looks like a critter had dug a hole next to the foundation and it was dripping in from there. I'll have to look at that soon.
It turned out to be not that bad for me. About 8 inches, but super wet and heavy. I stayed home but I don't think driving would have been a problem - though getting into the driveway when I got home would have been!
I did a partial trade with a guy that rebuilds them for spare cash and got a replacement for the blown up snowblower for $150. Snowblower #2 for the season started on the first pull and worked great.
I forgot the snowfall totals... we got about 3-4 inches, then it turned to rain and melted into the existing snow from last week, and then it turned to a hard sheet of ice. The good thing was that there was about as much snow on the ground when I got up this morning as there was when I got up yesterday, if not less.
Gary
Dork
3/15/17 3:44 p.m.
Things are somewhat back to normal in SoNE today, but the temp is quite a bit below normal and appears it will remain that way for some time. (Whine, whine, whine ). Looks like we're gonna have to wait a while longer for the warm weather. So this morning Annie and I jumped online and booked a flight to Palm Springs, CA and a great small inn in the historic Tennis Club district for early April. Weather should be in the eighties or nineties there!
In reply to Gary:
It's snowing here again...
The chance of snow showers turned into 3 inches so far, which means I'm going to have to plow again.
On the plus side I found some tricks to prevent the plow from tearing up my gravel driveway. I just don't have a six foot length of abs to beat over the blade now.
We had 20/24 inches.
My very old snow blower was up to the task but with the snow so deep it had a tendency to ride up and I would have to stop and let it catch up.
The plow banks were so high that I had to knock them down with a snow shovel first.
All is good now.
This is the second major snow storm I have experienced here in NJ. I don't know anything about snow, but it certainly felt heavier than last time I had to shovel. Good to know that my observations were consistent with seasoned veterans.
Roads were cleared quickly, so the Miata and Xice3's didn't have much chance to show the world what they are made of.
Even the post office was closed. No mail delivery.