Cold enough fer ya?

[woodstock]

Two towns are up in arms over who is the Icebox of the Nation. Not exactly something that would make people flock there, I'd think. But what do I know.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22649329/?GT1=10755

 

[alaskaflyer]

It really isn't even close:

International Falls:

Fraser:

BTW how many people actually think that Alaska isn't attached to the North American continent?

 

[Obi Heed Kenobi]

...
BTW how many people actually think that Alaska isn't attached to the North American continent?

I figure anytime that it gets below zero it is cold, but I doubt that anything here compares to: 1) anything in International Falls; or 2) anything in Alaska....

 

[tonycondon]

my lesson this morning was with 4 degF temps. brrrr. Discovery Flight this afternoon was much better with temps roaring into the low 20's.

 

[Anymouse]

COLD WEATHER

60 above zero. Floridians (and Virginians) turn the heat on. People in Alaska plant gardens.

50 above zero. Californians shiver uncontrollably. People in Alaska sunbathe.

40 above zero. Italian and English cars won't start. People in Alaska drive with the windows down.

32 above zero. Distilled water freezes. Lake Illiamna's water gets thicker.

20 above zero. Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves and hats. People in Alaska throw on a flannel shirt or a light jacket.

15 above zero. New York landlords finally turn on the heat. People in Alaska have the last cookout before it turns cold.

Zero. People in Miami die. Alaskan's close the windows.

10 below zero. Californians go to Mexico. People in Alaska get out their Winter coats.

25 below zero. Hollywood disintegrates. Girl Scouts in Alaska are selling cookies door to door.

40 below zero. Washington DC runs out of hot air. People in Alaska let the dogs sleep inside.

100 below zero. Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. People in Alaska get frustrated because "the car won't start", But they can still watch the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

275 below zero. All atomic motion stops. (Absolute zero on the Kelvin scale). People in Alaska start saying, "cold 'nuff for ya?"

500 below zero. Hell freezes over.

 

[alaskaflyer]

COLD WEATHER

60 above zero. Floridians (and Virginians) turn the heat on. People in Alaska plant gardens.

50 above zero. Californians shiver uncontrollably. People in Alaska sunbathe.

40 above zero. Italian and English cars won't start. People in Alaska drive with the windows down.

32 above zero. Distilled water freezes. Lake Illiamna's water gets thicker.

20 above zero. Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves and hats. People in Alaska throw on a flannel shirt or a light jacket.

15 above zero. New York landlords finally turn on the heat. People in Alaska have the last cookout before it turns cold.

Zero. People in Miami die. Alaskan's close the windows.

10 below zero. Californians go to Mexico. People in Alaska get out their Winter coats.

25 below zero. Hollywood disintegrates. Girl Scouts in Alaska are selling cookies door to door.

40 below zero. Washington DC runs out of hot air. People in Alaska let the dogs sleep inside.

100 below zero. Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. People in Alaska get frustrated because "the car won't start", But they can still watch the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

275 below zero. All atomic motion stops. (Absolute zero on the Kelvin scale). People in Alaska start saying, "cold 'nuff for ya?"

500 below zero. Hell freezes over.

Good one And actually pretty accurate. Late February and March when we start getting strong sun and some 20 and 30 degree days *above* you can see people walking around Fairbanks in t-shirts and even shorts.

 

[Anymouse]

I remember sitting out on the porch at Nancy Lake sipping wine when it was 30 degrees. Moccasins, sweat pants and a t-shirt. I didn't even think about it.

 

[Ted]

Anyone talking about 17 and 19 degree temps this time of year doesn't know what cold is. Even in New York City when I was in high school those temps were norm for the winters! Indiana saw those temps about normal as well - we rode our motorcycles.

Out here in PA we've been having a warm winter - this morning was 32. I haven't even gotten out my heavy winter jackets yet, the coldest it's gotten has been about 12. We had a heat wave a few weeks back when it got up to the mid 60s!

Now as to this:

COLD WEATHER
40 above zero. Italian and English cars won't start. People in Alaska drive with the windows down.

My old Jaguars have never failed to start due to cold temps! In college my '82 XJ-S was my only driver freshman year (it cost me significantly less than a new Focus or Neon - and was way cooler). Starting it when it was cold was sometimes not unlike starting a plane on a cold day, but it always would start with proper prodding. In its defense, the idle air controller was busted on it, and had been replaced with a wine bottle cork. Of course, the bigger issue with it was that, despite the nuclear reactor the V12 was in the summer, in the winter the car was freezing as it was missing a heater core.

And yes, I know it's a joke, I wasn't taking serious issue with the statement, just providing an anecdote.

15 above zero. New York landlords finally turn on the heat.

So true!

 

[Obi Heed Kenobi]

Anyone talking about 17 and 19 degree temps this time of year doesn't know what cold is. Even in New York City when I was in high school those temps were norm for the winters! Indiana saw those temps about normal as well - we rode our motorcycles.

Out here in PA we've been having a warm winter - this morning was 32. I haven't even gotten out my heavy winter jackets yet, the coldest it's gotten has been about 12. We had a heat wave a few weeks back when it got up to the mid 60s!

...

It's zero in Frisco right now. It's a dry cold, though.

I know what you mean about East Coast winters - even though 30-40 doesn't sound cold, it just knifes right through you. I really do think it's because of the humidity difference.

 

[woodstock]

Good one And actually pretty accurate. Late February and March when we start getting strong sun and some 20 and 30 degree days *above* you can see people walking around Fairbanks in t-shirts and even shorts.

temperature is relative though - I remember as a kid taking winter vacations at my grandparents' winter home in Florida (coming from Erie PA) - in February it's possible to get nippy days in Florida once in a while and we'd still be on the beach sunbathing (nippy meaning 50 and breezy).

 

[Ted]

It's zero in Frisco right now. It's a dry cold, though.

Ouch! At those temperatures, I might be thinking about a block heater on my truck, and it's a gas motor! That was one of my reasons for getting gas over diesel this time - I didn't want to have to plug the thing in at night.

I know what you mean about East Coast winters - even though 30-40 doesn't sound cold, it just knifes right through you. I really do think it's because of the humidity difference.

Well, you all certainly have plenty of wind in Colorado (at least certain parts, not sure where Frisco ranks on the wind-o-meter). What I notice is that it's primarily the wind that does it for me. I've walked out on my deck when it's 14 degrees out and been perfectly comfortable, but sometimes when it gets in the 25-30 range the winds are enough to freeze me pretty well (from the metars they seem to be in the 22G28 range those days). By the time it gets below 20, there seem to be fewer winds and, while it takes my truck longer to warm up in the morning, just walking around outside doesn't make me go "****ing cold out..."

 

[Obi Heed Kenobi]

Ouch! At those temperatures, I might be thinking about a block heater on my truck, and it's a gas motor! That was one of my reasons for getting gas over diesel this time - I didn't want to have to plug the thing in at night.

It's supposed to be a high of -3 today, so I guess we did beat that already! It's going to be around -15 tonight, though.

Well, you all certainly have plenty of wind in Colorado (at least certain parts, not sure where Frisco ranks on the wind-o-meter). What I notice is that it's primarily the wind that does it for me. I've walked out on my deck when it's 14 degrees out and been perfectly comfortable, but sometimes when it gets in the 25-30 range the winds are enough to freeze me pretty well (from the metars they seem to be in the 22G28 range those days). By the time it gets below 20, there seem to be fewer winds and, while it takes my truck longer to warm up in the morning, just walking around outside doesn't make me go "****ing cold out..."

-15 with 40 knot winds....

I agree about the wind - the temperature isn't bad, even when it's something ridiculously cold. You can always put on a nice down jacket. But the wind just knifes right through it.

Actually, one of the best products I've found is Gore "Windstopper" - same group that makes goretex. I got a jacket that had some in it a few years ago and was convinced it would just be a gimmick. It isn't, and really does make a difference in winds. So if you spend a lot of time out on the water, or on top of mountains, I highly recommend it!

 

[woodstock]

Anyone talking about 17 and 19 degree temps this time of year doesn't know what cold is. Even in New York City when I was in high school those temps were norm for the winters! Indiana saw those temps about normal as well - we rode our motorcycles.

I spent 5 hours one New Years Eve with friends, standing outside waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. It was 18 degrees and bloody cold but at least there was a crush of people so the only part that really felt cold was your face.

Speaking of relative temps, I bought my brother (who lives near Erie) a plane ticket to come visit my house in SC with me this wkd, considering it's in the teens there, the 50s they are calling for in SC will be a nice break for him. Although not even a week ago it was calling for 60s down there, so I am a little bummed the outlook is dropping. Either way it'll be nice to walk on the beach though.

 

[Ted]

I spent 5 hours one New Years Eve with friends, standing outside waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. It was 18 degrees and bloody cold but at least there was a crush of people so the only part that really felt cold was your face.

You have participated in one activity that I never have and never intend to, despite having spent the first 18 years of my life living in New York City, and probably 22 out of my 24 New Years there. I just stay at mom's apartment and watch it on TV with the rest of the world. We can see the fireworks and all, and drink champagne where it's much warmer.

I'm sure it's fun, just something I don't want to do. I actually avoid Times Square as much as possible.

 

[woodstock]

You have participated in one activity that I never have and never intend to, despite having spent the first 18 years of my life living in New York City, and probably 22 out of my 24 New Years there. I just stay at mom's apartment and watch it on TV with the rest of the world. We can see the fireworks and all, and drink champagne where it's much warmer.

I'm sure it's fun, just something I don't want to do. I actually avoid Times Square as much as possible.

I did it ONCE and that was enough.

It was very spontaneous actually, I called a friend who lived in Baltimore at 3 PM on NYE (I live near DC) and asked him if he wanted to ditch the parties and head to NYC to watch the ball drop. I headed straight there to pick him up, and we hit the tunnel at 7-8 PM (NO traffic heading into the city, which was eerie - NYE and we were the only ones in the tunnel at that time!!) and parked very easily (too easily, it was weird...) and then ate dinner, bought warmer hats than we came up with and then stood outside until it was all over - got home before 6 AM as I recall.

It was even easy to leave the city, driving, which was likewise a surprise.

 

[rottydaddy]

Anyone talking about 17 and 19 degree temps this time of year doesn't know what cold is. Even in New York City when I was in high school those temps were norm for the winters! Indiana saw those temps about normal as well - we rode our motorcycles.

Out here in PA we've been having a warm winter - this morning was 32. I haven't even gotten out my heavy winter jackets yet, the coldest it's gotten has been about 12. We had a heat wave a few weeks back when it got up to the mid 60s!

Now as to this:



My old Jaguars have never failed to start due to cold temps! In college my '82 XJ-S was my only driver freshman year (it cost me significantly less than a new Focus or Neon - and was way cooler). Starting it when it was cold was sometimes not unlike starting a plane on a cold day, but it always would start with proper prodding. In its defense, the idle air controller was busted on it, and had been replaced with a wine bottle cork. Of course, the bigger issue with it was that, despite the nuclear reactor the V12 was in the summer, in the winter the car was freezing as it was missing a heater core.

And yes, I know it's a joke, I wasn't taking serious issue with the statement, just providing an anecdote.



So true!

Aye, my very decrepit '76 Fiat Spider also started pretty reliably in cold weather... play with the choke, whisper sweet nothings in Italian, promise to buy her new tires...and the heater rocked!!
At the time I had it on the road all winter, commuting daily @ 100 miles RT between Newark and Nyack, NY. My personal belief about ragtops is that if there is no precip and it is above 0 degrees F and the heater works, if you have the top up you are not worthy of a convertible.
I'd put the top down, roll up the windows, and crank the heat... nice and toasty, but with plenty of fresh air. What a great cold-weather car. That little aluminum-block DOHC screamer loved cold weather. In extreme heat it was a real pooch- the water temp gauge had two zones: "Normal" and "Holy mackeroly, yous-a better pull-a over and let 'er cool-a down, or the hengine, she's-a essplode!!"

It was damn cold that winter but fortunately quite dry... I could not, of course, drive the Fiat safely in any amount of snow.... its only drawback.


And re: cold wx in general- I spent two winters in Syracuse, NY... that gave me a rough idea of what "cold" means.

 

[gkainz]

...Actually, one of the best products I've found is Gore "Windstopper" - same group that makes goretex. ...

Don't tell me AlGore invented more than just the internet and global warming? Clothing, too?

 

[gkainz]

COLD WEATHER

snip

500 below zero. Hell freezes over.

couldn't resist this opening - from a joke list ... (even sneaked in "airplanes" to make it aviation-related!)
-------------------------
Dr. Schambaugh, of the University of Oklahoma School of Chemical Engineering, Final Exam question for May of 1997. Dr. Schambaugh is known for asking questions such as, "why do airplanes fly?" on his final exams. His one and only final exam question in May 1997 for his Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer II class was: "Is hell exothermic or endothermic? Support your answer with proof."

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law or some variant. One student, however, wrote the following:

"First, We postulate that if souls exist, then they must have some mass. If they do, then a mole of souls can also have a mass. So, at what rate are souls moving into hell and at what rate are souls leaving? I think we can safely assume that once a soul gets to hell, it will not leave.

Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for souls entering hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, then you will go to hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all people and souls go to hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in hell to increase exponentially.

Now, we look at the rate of change in volume in hell. Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in hell to stay the same, the ratio of the mass of souls and volume needs to stay constant. Two options exist:

1. If hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter hell, then the temperature and pressure in hell will increase until all hell breaks loose.
2. If hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until hell freezes over.

So which is it? If we accept the quote given to me by Theresa Manyan during Freshman year, "that it will be a cold night in hell before I sleep with you" and take into account the fact that I still have NOT succeeded in having sexual relations with her, then Option 2 cannot be true...Thus, hell is exothermic."

The student, Tim Graham, got the only A.

 

[Ted]

I did it ONCE and that was enough.

So I'll assume that I'm not missing a whole bunch.

It was very spontaneous actually, I called a friend who lived in Baltimore at 3 PM on NYE (I live near DC) and asked him if he wanted to ditch the parties and head to NYC to watch the ball drop. I headed straight there to pick him up, and we hit the tunnel at 7-8 PM (NO traffic heading into the city, which was eerie - NYE and we were the only ones in the tunnel at that time!!) and parked very easily (too easily, it was weird...) and then ate dinner, bought warmer hats than we came up with and then stood outside until it was all over - got home before 6 AM as I recall.

It was even easy to leave the city, driving, which was likewise a surprise.

That sounds like a fun way to do it. I always enjoy spontaneous trips of that nature, although that's one that I would have a hard time being talked into. Spontaneous trips to Texas (from Indiana) or to New York (from PA) are frequent, though - my friends call me a "moving target" because my schedule has been known to change up to 15 times over the course of a week. They've realized if they want to see me, the best time to catch me is during the week when I'm (usually) tied down at work and can be found at my house.

Interesting thing about driving in New York is that you can actually find minimal traffic and easy parking at the oddest times. Most Manhattanites go to New Years parties somewhere else, and will drive elsewhere for it. Most New York folk know that parking in Manhattan sucks, so they'll take the subway in. End result: No cars on the road, and easy parking. This New Years, I went to a friend's house in Queens for a party, napped until about 3 AM after the ball dropped, and then drove back to Manhattan in my truck with a motorcycle trailer attached. Had no problem finding a parking spot, even for my Excursion + motorcycle trailer!

 

[Ted]

It was damn cold that winter but fortunately quite dry... I could not, of course, drive the Fiat safely in any amount of snow.... its only drawback.

Yeah, most tiny rear wheel drive cars are bad about that. Interestingly, the Jag was great in the snow. It weighed enough and I had good high-profile all-season generic tires on it, at least for the first season. Second season I put on some low profile summer-only performance tires on it, but I had a truck then for winter duty.

 

[t0r0nad0]

I did it ONCE and that was enough.

It was very spontaneous actually, I called a friend who lived in Baltimore at 3 PM on NYE (I live near DC) and asked him if he wanted to ditch the parties and head to NYC to watch the ball drop. I headed straight there to pick him up, and we hit the tunnel at 7-8 PM (NO traffic heading into the city, which was eerie - NYE and we were the only ones in the tunnel at that time!!) and parked very easily (too easily, it was weird...) and then ate dinner, bought warmer hats than we came up with and then stood outside until it was all over - got home before 6 AM as I recall.

It was even easy to leave the city, driving, which was likewise a surprise.

My understand is that it's only something you do once. My brother did it once with his girlfriend at the time. From what I understand, it's not that fun of an experience. You get there hours in advance, find a spot, then wait for the rest of the people to come crush in around you. You can't leave to use the restroom, and it's just cold. But, he's glad that he's done it once and doesn't plan to do it again. Even with the crappy description, I wouldn't mind doing it sometime, just to have done it.

However, this year I was on a cruise ship somewhere between Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, that was the way to spend New Year's!

 

[woodstock]

My understand is that it's only something you do once. My brother did it once with his girlfriend at the time. From what I understand, it's not that fun of an experience. You get there hours in advance, find a spot, then wait for the rest of the people to come crush in around you. You can't leave to use the restroom, and it's just cold. But, he's glad that he's done it once and doesn't plan to do it again. Even with the crappy description, I wouldn't mind doing it sometime, just to have done it.

However, this year I was on a cruise ship somewhere between Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, that was the way to spend New Year's!

sounds good to me!

 

[flyingcheesehead]

 

[woodstock]

eeek!

It's cold in SC too. I bought my brother a plane ticket to join me or the weekend down here (he hasn't visited the house yet) and I was looking forward to a weekend of warm weather as a break from DC. Mom and Dad were here Saturday/Sunday with us too.

Saturday - cold and RAINY. Yesterday, sunny but cold and windy. Today, we haven't stepped outside yet but it's supposed to be cold again. But we have a fire going in the fireplace and a bunch of DVDs and games so it's been a nice relazing weekend.

And tonight we both fly home.