*Winter Survival Questions**

[cyber-sibes]

I grew up here in Ohio along the lake, and the winters now are much milder than fifty years ago! We used to get a lot more snow. We're due for single digits highs all week, and below zero at night. We have a fireplace, but have only had to use it once for warmth when the power went out. My car always starts, but in the past when my older cars didn't, it's usually from something that needed fixed anyway, like an alternator or battery. You just bundle up to go out. Hat, gloves, scarf, good winter coat, boots - it's not such a big deal. The only thing I don't like is driving on ice, but highway maintenance in the northern states is really good compared to states that don't usually have snow. And people are used to driving in it. The perennial plants are hardy enough to take the cold, but we plant a lot of annuals each year. Apple trees need extended cold to produce fruit.
Knowing how our weather is figured into our choice of dog breeds. Huskies are good outdoors to -75 F. Thank heavens it's never been that cold here! They really do prefer the cold weather. Most people take good care of dogs that aren't as weatherproof - coats, boots, not out a lot. I do wonder about our Alaskan, Canadian, & and our Yukon neighbors (Hi, Glacier!) They have such extreme temperatures for long periods. I don't mind winter, but at least here it's only super cold for 2-3 months.

[K9soul]

We are at -18 F right now (wind chill -30)! Survival is a mix of warm clothes, coats/gloves and staying inside a lot! It definitely takes some acclimation, but believe it or not it can get to the point where 30 degrees feels nice. A lot of cars here have to be plugged in when it gets that cold if you don't have a garage. I was puzzled when I moved here from Missouri and saw so many cars with little cords with plugs coming out of the hood. My car has been starting pretty well but I let it run at least 10 minutes before going anywhere so it warms up. Also it's best to keep the tank at least half full of gas.

When the wind chills get close to -40 like they did this weekend, it's hard to breathe outside unless you breathe through a scarf or something. I hold the collar of my coat up over my mouth and nose and breathe that way. I also keep warm head covering for my head and ears and have a fleece face mask thing if it's really windy and I have to be out in it too long. It looks silly but better to look silly than freeze your face off . Good insulation is a must, and sometimes you have to let the faucets drip a bit to keep the pipes from freezing.

But the beautiful spring, summer and fall make it all worthwhile!

[borzoimom]

For what it helps- my dad use to say make sure the gas tank is full so the lines do not freeze, and he use to put a blanket over the hood of his car if you have bad winds.

[Daisy and Delilah]

WOW WOW WOW!!!! I'm amazed at all the energy it takes to survive those temps.!!! I never knew you had to plug in the cars. WOW!!!

Laura: That ice just scares the living daylights out of me just thinking about it. It seems that not only cars are crashing into everything but people are sliding and falling all over!!! I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for all of you!!!

I lived in Virginia for awhile but not long enough to learn anything about survival for a long period.

Keep warm everybody and be careful!!!

p.s. Here's another stupid question, does gasoline freeze? Sorry if I sound like I'm as dumb as a bag of rocks

[jenluckenbach]

I too am interested in how people survive the continuous cold. We are having a cold wave right now.....single digits with below zero wind chills. It is due to stay only a few days, but that is TOO long for me! I also wonder how people deal with the LARGE snowfalls (like those mentioned above). The most I have ever lived through is 30 inches. But 5 inches is TOO much for me!

I hate cold and snow....can you tell.

[sirrahbed]

As I understand it, pure gas will not freeze. But sometimes it has water in it and that will freeze. That is why folks try to keep the tank pretty full in the winter - to prevent the condensation in the lines.

But, big semi trucks would keep the engine running all the time I recall. We would see them at rest stops - always running. I wonder how much gas is burned up while idling?

[Karen]

Gasoline would I suppose freeze at low enough temperatures, but not the temps we humans experience.

No the cars don't freeze, but when it is very cold out, the oil and gas are thicker - more viscous - so it is best to let the car warm up for a minute to be things moving.

The reason you want a full tank of gas when it's really cold out is so there's less air in your gas tank. Lots of air means condensation can form, and you can end up with water in the gas lines - not a good thing.

Being outside is fine, when it gets very cold, you have to be extra vigilant about keeping your skin covered so you don't risk frostbite, but people aren't running around in shorts in zero-degree weather anyway!

As cyber-sibes mentioned, our road crews are prepared for snow and ice, so if you can wait a bit, the roads aren't bad to drive one, and people - except for newcomers, are used to driving in snow. And when there's LOTS of snow, well, we just all shovel. A lot.

[K9soul]

Here's the plug on my car. I used to plug it in when I lived in an apartment and had to park the car outside, ran one of those big orange extension cords out to it. Now that I have the garage I don't plug it in although I might if I drove it every day.




As far as gas freezing, I think it depends on the content of it. I believe it can freeze if it gets cold enough but can still burn until -90s or something. People can add methyl alcohol to the tank to help keep it from freezing. Here's a Q&A I found that explains it some. http://van.physics.uiuc.edu/qa/listing.php?id=2479

[Daisy and Delilah]

Thanks for the info everyone. This is just fascinating!! Thanks for the picture of the plug, Jess, and the link. Does that plug go into an ordinary outlet? If so, I can imagine what happens if the power goes out.

Another question; Do you all enjoy the cold weather or find it a drudgery? I always love seeing the winter pictures but I'm thinking of it in a different way now. Does the sun come out on these terribly cold days or is it gray out?

As I've said before, I don't think Daisy and Delilah could stand those low temps. Even in Florida, when it gets below 60, Daisy is shaking so hard outside, her teeth are practically falling out. I have a hard time taking them out when it's chilly. Actually, I have to pick her up and take her out because she gives you a look and backs away from the door.

[Karen]

I love the cold weather - and there's no pollen to make me sneeze!

[K9soul]

Often the coldest days are the brightest and clearest days. Thick clouds seem to give more humidity and "insulation" almost, but of course there are cold cloudy days too. I don't enjoy it when it gets below the teens, otherwise I don't think much of it, until February and March. Then I start getting spring fever and it becomes more and more a drudgery. I love when we have snow storms, but snowy days are often the "warmer" days here, in the 20s and 30s. It's beautiful and always magical to me. We haven't had any big storms this year, so this winter is really dragging for me . Plus I am so eager to get out more with the dogs.

When I first moved here from Southern Missouri, the winters really got to me. They were longer and darker and colder. But I did adjust and now by the time fall gets here I'm often looking forward to the winter. Like I said though, I never enjoy it when we get subzero with air that hurts to breathe! But there's nothing like coming in from the cold, putting warm socks and slippers on, and snuggling with the dogs while sipping a hot cup of cocoa

ETA: The cord I usually plug one of those heavy duty outdoor extension cords into, and then yes it can plug into any outlet

[cyber-sibes]

It's a beautiful sunny day out. You'd never know its 4 F unless you step outside. I like winter as long as we have snow on the ground.

[joanofark]

I only go outside if I HAVE to in this single-digit weather, but the snow days are always a big plus.

[jenluckenbach]

Do you all enjoy the cold weather or find it a drudgery? Does the sun come out on these terribly cold days or is it gray out?

Well, I find it drudgery. (LOL) But yes the sun can shine brightly during a cold spell. We are up to 15 degres right now, and the sun is BLARING!!! And the nights can be clear and filled with stars. Our old saing..."Clear and cold"

[Lobodeb]

I think it's important to dress in layers.

I walked out of the house this morning (temp was -9F and the wind chill was -24F), took a deep breath and coughed. My lungs burned a little. My car was also a little sluggish starting.

I normally don't mind the cold. The only thing I hate is having to have so much stuff! We went out to dinner on Saturday and we needed an extra table just for all or our coats, gloves, scarves, etc.

It's times like this when you really have to pay attention to the news. When they say "don't expose skin," you listen.

I just can't help but think of all the animals that are outside whether they're feral or have idiots for owners.