all kidding aside -- snow and how it affects us

I can think of a couple of things. First, the near-term weather forcasting (one to three days out) is much more reliable and dependable than it used to be. Second, local governments and road departments put a lot of pressure on school administration to close schools in advance and keep as many folks as possible off the streets while they are doing cleanup.

Even when roads are passable, some schools have closed due to extreme cold and dangerous wind chill. Not all students have bussing or transportation available, and some school buildings and busses may not have adequate heating systems for these conditions.

When I was a kid, snow days == money!!

I remember spending 8-12 hours a day going around the neighborhood, shoveling snow. This was even more prevalent when in HS.

These days I don't see much of that going on in the neighborhood. I did see a kid (maybe 12, 13?) walking around with a shovel 2 or 3 days after the snow event a few days ago. I was puzzled why he would expect to generate any business so late after the opportunity.

As a corner lot I'm usually on top of clearing the sidewalk and driveway. Today I was a bit late (we got ~2"). One of the neighbors decided to do the whole block on one side. It was funny to see, the path looked like a sine wave.

Given was is taught in public schools these days. I say the future gens are dooooooooooomed.

As a kid, I used to walk 6 blocks to my local school. In my part of the world at least, neighborhood schools are a thing of the past. Now, children are bussed many miles to regional "mega" schools.

It's a lot easier & safer to walk a relatively short distance to school in 3" of snow than it is for a bus to drive 30+ miles in it.

Back in the day, it used to take 8 or more inches to cancel school. Just yesterday, it was cancelled here for 1.8".

When I was in grade school, the school district calendar allotted for 8 "snow days". The regional school district here now allots 15. On top of that, the average yearly snowfall here in the 1960's was over 100 inches. Now it's 42.

Off the top of my head, 100" would be a lot for Boston, but maybe back then it was even more....

I just remember much better snow removal, as a kid. Here in Phila I don't even think any attempt is made on secondary roads. Again last Saturday in my township, just 2 tracks going down main roads. Snow has not even fallen for a very long time, it could have been cleared. Cross over into another township, all roads cleared including secondary. With so much inconsistency maybe closing 14 hours before the night before is the way to go. Another factor is people used snow tires back then. The latest craze seems to be all weather. I still am puzzled by the B traction rating they get (to me sacrifice in the dry or wet but better than all season in the snow). I know nothing lol