WINTER STORM ADVISORY-Southern Style

The most obvious difference between living in the North and living in the South is of course the weather.  Having spent 57 years in New Jersey and four in South Carolina, I can assure you that the weather is almost always better in South Carolina. We just had a week in December where the temperature was around 70 degrees the whole week. Freezing cold in the south is 30-40 degrees and that is really not that cold if you're used to cold in the North or Chicago or Minnesota, etc.

In the south, when we expect "bad" weather it looks differently too.  In the south you get an advisory, in the North, it's usually a WARNING! This is what we have coming up tonight:

"Action Recommended: Execute a pre-planned activity identified in the instructions.

Description: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EST SATURDAY

WHAT... Periods of freezing rain will result in total ice accumulations ranging between 0.05 to 0.20 inches. The freezing rain may mix with or change to a period of sleet and or snow prior to ending Friday night or early Saturday. A trace of accumulation is possible."

Other than a possible hurricane, this is about as bad as it gets.  Schools will be open remotely tomorrow and other events have already been canceled.  People are heading to the grocery store and getting gas as if they will be stuck in the house due to a blizzard.

If you live in the South, here are some simple tips for bad weather from a former Northerner:

Ice: If you're out walking-march.  Pick your feet up and pretend you're in the army.  It's very difficult to slip if you're marching, because you're not pushing off the ground.  Stay away from lakes and ponds that are frozen.(here there are gators under the ice)

Cold: Wear layers-they are easier to take off if you need to and they are more effective. Wear a hat or hood if you can, since it prevents cold from going right through your head.

Driving in snow or ice: If you have to, find car tracks in the road and stay on them.  "The Road Not Taken" is a great poem, but not advisable when the road is covered.  Everything is in slow motion as you drive, turns, starts and stops and when you're going backwards and forward. 

Just so you know I'm ready, here I am below and I have layers on!