25 February 2012

The Snowdown Throwdown: Moose Jaw vs. Chicago!

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Let's talk about winter...more specifically...let's talk about snow.

Snow in Moose Jaw 

Think shards of ice that hit you in your face while being thrown about by the prairie wind
Super-dry and flaky
Does not make for good snowballs or snowmen
Drifts like crazy 
Eventually gets packed down on the roads until it forms a thick layer of ice 
that makes it impossible to drive

Snow in Chicago 

Wet and super-heavy
Like big cotton balls that fall from the sky
Great for snow angels and snow forts
Turns to slush right away as it hits the ground
Eventually gets swept away by ice trucks that traverse the city 

In addition to that, the way snow is handled in these two places tends to be very different.

Reaction to snowstorm in Moose Jaw from forecasters:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're sorry to inform you that a snowstorm is going to occur tonight.  Please be careful as we are expecting some accumulation*.  Take caution when driving and stay warm!  Sorry!"**

*Meaning FEET, people!
**Have I mentioned that Canadians apologize for everything?  It's lovely.

Reaction to snowstorm in Chicago from forecasters:

"OHMYGOODNESS!  RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!  IT'S THE SNOWSTORM OF THE CENTURY!  WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.  HIDE YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR PETS.  ALL SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW.  DON'T DRIVE, BIKE, WALK OR FLY.  ALL FLIGHTS ARE CANCELLED.  WE ARE EXPECTING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF ACCUMULATION TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW."***

***Meaning a DUSTING, people!

Yup.  That about sums it up.

If you want to experience a real winter, head north.  They greet -50 temperatures with the same matter-of-factness as having to do laundry on the weekend.  It just happens.  

Needless to say, I've been disappointed in Old Man Winter this year.  
I'm a sucker for a snowstorm of the century.


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