this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2024
119 points (96.1% liked)

[Outdated, please look at pinned post] Casual Conversation

6607 readers
1 users here now

Share a story, ask a question, or start a conversation about (almost) anything you desire. Maybe you'll make some friends in the process.


RULES

Related discussion-focused communities

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Hope it's not too harsh for you guys

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] DerisionConsulting@lemmy.ca 30 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I stopped walking to work, -50c is too cold for that.

And I didn't shovel the sidewalk of my whole block, just the part in front of my house.

[–] Blaze@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] DerisionConsulting@lemmy.ca 25 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I am counting the windchill factor, it's really only like -40c.

The Canadian prairies

[–] dankm@lemmy.ca 13 points 9 months ago (1 children)

My son rode his bike across Saskatoon for work during this cold. Didn't even slow him down. Not sure if he's stupid, crazy, or brave.

[–] DerisionConsulting@lemmy.ca 16 points 9 months ago

If something bad happens, you just die. We learned from Regina that people won't stop and help.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-man-security-footage-cold-death-1.7081495

[–] aberrate_junior_beatnik@midwest.social 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I live in Minnesota, my parents live in Florida, and I have a friend who used to live in SK. I could make fun of my parents for what they thought was cold; he could make fun of me for what I thought was cold. Don't know how you do it.

[–] WashedOver@lemmy.ca 2 points 9 months ago

In Vancouver we don't know that kind of cold. Wet and damp cold yes, but it's been a unusually warmer winter. Low 50s even for Xmas and not at much rain and hardly any snow for local mountains.

Now it's down to low 10s F it's bloody super cold for us. With the wind chill it has been down to -10F. Not breaking your car quite yet but you don't want to be out and about for too long without one. Usually the couple of days we get snow here it's chaos and the major routes are a mess. It was just as bad the one day we did get some during the cold snap and it wasn't even the wet and heavy stuff we normally get.

I usually go for short walks daily but not during these days - 10F days. We are warming up to near 32F for highs and I'm thinking this is probably nice BBQ weather for Edmonton now.

It seems all relative. I was down in Arizona this past winter. It was one of the coolest ones they had in Yuma and the day time temperatures were reaching high 60s to low 70s during the day with a lot of sun. I thought I was in heaven for winter. The locals were so disappointed.

Mind you at one point it was snowing in California, northern AZ, Phoenix, Tuscan, NM, and Texas while I was in a sun pocket so they may have had something to complain about but I would still take their dry and warm during the day over my normal wet and soggy days.

[–] groucho@lemmy.sdf.org 12 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The snowblower froze up (specifically the mechanism that turns the spout) so I had to drag it into the house to warm it up. The plug cap on my headbolt heater also froze solid. I couldn't bring the car into the house to warm it up because, among other things, I already had the snowblower in there. I spent 20 minutes with a heat gun prying it off instead.

Aside from that it was a normal weekend.

[–] the_third@feddit.de 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm imagining your SO entering the living room full of usually outside stuff and you muttering "Don't even ask."

[–] groucho@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I actually went and talked to her before I started because I knew that was how it'd end up going.

[–] the_third@feddit.de 5 points 9 months ago

Absolutely right. Open communication is the key to any new roommate situation, even if it's only between an man, his wife, the couch and the poor freezing snowblower.

[–] Johandea@feddit.nu 12 points 9 months ago

Too harsh?! It's lovely! -20 where I'm at and it's awesome 😎

[–] LogicialSlip@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Upgraded my HVAC yesterday. BRING IT NATURE!!! Hahah

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] BonesOfTheMoon@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I can cope with many layers and staying inside, but my poor old dog is miserable.

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

A box with towels or blankets goes a long way for doggo

[–] BonesOfTheMoon@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Oh he sleeps with me lol. He's just got very thin fur and going outside is hard for him. He's snoozing under the blanket against my back.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] JJROKCZ@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

Fine, born and raised Midwest so switching from 55f to -4f in the space of a week or two is no big deal, it’s supposed to be 50 and raining next week despite it being 1 and snowing today lol

[–] OneOrTheOtherDontAskMe@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Man, my house needs sealed better, or maybe it's just finally time to bite the bullet and move. My rent's cheap, house is shit, landlords mostly forget we exist but there aren't tons of problems normally...except when windchill hits and gets in the negatives, then my kitchen is a whole different climate than the rest of the house and I know it's costing me in heating

[–] ScreaminOctopus@sh.itjust.works 6 points 9 months ago

I don't know if you've tried this, but I bought some rope caulk for 7 bucks and used it to seal around my windows. It makes a world of difference if the windows aren't sealing great. You can take it off in the summer when you want to open them up.

[–] PlanetOfOrd@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago

Already had one power outage, another is on the way.

I actually kinda like power outages. They're sort of an adventure.

The only gut-punch is that I've been looking for work for a while now. Hoping on a miraculous break-through soon. But I had to ask for money from friends for non-perishables.

[–] kosherbacon79@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Hit a snowbank with my car, so kinda shitty. Damage isn't too bad, but it's fucked up my morning.

[–] the_third@feddit.de 3 points 9 months ago

Snow gets hard, doesn't it.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] BillMurray@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Sprinkler in the attic burst due to the cold and flooded 10 condos including my own. Great way to relax on a Sunday night, losing a battle to water rushing in from vent, sprinkler heads, lighting fixtures. Currently living out of a Best Western while they are drying out my apartment. Next step demo and restoration, yay.

[–] huskypenguin@sh.itjust.works 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Why do you have a sprinkler in the attic?

[–] BillMurray@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Fire code in Canada, all new buildings need a pressurized sprinkler system. The pipe runs through the attic to a sprinkler head on the ceiling. But the dick head contractor did not insulate the pipe portion that was running through the uninsulated attic.

Oh and when the sprinkler is triggered only the fire department can turn it off.

[–] Pandantic@midwest.social 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Took two personal days because I can’t get out of my driveway and it’s not safe to stay out to shovel until Wednesday (when the temps and windchill will finally be above negative). Haven’t been out of the house since Thursday, but I have plenty of food, internet, and things to do.

[–] xor@sh.itjust.works 12 points 9 months ago (1 children)

it’s not safe to stay out to shovel until Wednesday (when the temps and windchill will finally be above negative)

i grew up in michigan and, yeah i shoveled snow in negative temps when i was 12... it's safe IF you bundle up properly.
some long johns, or even sweat pants, two pair of jeans... boots... (you can put breadbags over your socks if they leak or you don't have boots...
tons of layers of shirts, a ski mask, and gloves...
no problem... you want the outermost layer to be waterproof/windproof...
trench coats are actually quite functional and not just for murderers hiding guns...
and the more you shovel, the more you warm up...
of course, if the wind is real bad it gets kinda pointless, but you can kinda throw the snow with the wind and it'll fly away... (unless there's not one prevailing direction of wind)
ummm... road salt is pretty important... sand helps too....
also the layers help when you fall down on the ice...

[–] Pandantic@midwest.social 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Yes, this perfectly sums up why I took the personal days.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Rooter@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It hit around -60c or -76f for the Americans. I spent hours outside looking for the neighbors cat, :(

[–] Blaze@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Wow, where are you located?

[–] Rooter@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Good old Canada. It's much warmer now though.

[–] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

It's -3 this morning. It used to be a fairly regular temperature during winter, so I'm doing alright. The reason it's so bad though is this winter up to this weekend has been in the 40s, extremely warm for the season.

We've had some highs in the single digit negative (F). I'm lucky enough that I can just stay in. This isn't terribly unusual weather for this time of year. The rest of this season has been so warm it feels like a bigger deal than it is.

[–] ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I've lived in an area that gets cold every year my whole life so it's kinda strange to me to see people struggling with cold.

Don't get me wrong I feel for them because the cold sucks but I just can't wrap my head around not knowing how to stay warm because you've never had to before.

Like it seems intuitive to know how to stay warm but I also know that's only because I've been doing it my whole life ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[–] huskypenguin@sh.itjust.works 8 points 9 months ago

I'm currently living in the PNW and people are struggling with 18F. Why? Because this entire area is built around a temperate climate. A lot of house have single pane windows and no insulation. Most people don't have AC (so the extreme heat kills). We will adapt, but it's going to take people waking up to the new reality.

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

So have I but extended dives into negative °F are new and very unfun. We might have had one day every other year that went -3 or so but for the last week almost it's been 0 or -15 no real in-between and the road salt my city uses is better for your car but doesn't have enough oomph to go much below 10°F.

[–] Lorindol@sopuli.xyz 5 points 9 months ago

Outdoor temperatures have been between -10C and -29C for the last few weeks, I don't think it's going to get really cold here this year.

Cold doesn't really bother me, I don't normally even wear a jacket if it's warmer than -20C. Woollen sweater and a warm vest will do just fine.

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

And now I am become slug: I'm goopy, slow, and melting. (Someone poured salt on me.)

I'm in South America, facing the exact opposite - this summer has been extremely harsh, often going past 30°C in a rather wet city. To make things worse, a certain four-legged arsehole doesn't get that humans don't want to cuddle when it's too hot, so she keeps jumping on my lap:


(She's an arsehole. Cute, but an arsehole.)

[–] Revan343@lemmy.ca 5 points 9 months ago

We were just finally coming out of the cold snap, it warmed back up to around -20C, and my power steering line went -_-

2/3s of my city had power outages. Not from the snow, but from fallen trees because of strong winds. I was lucky and had power.

Stayed home with a portable heater with my kids and family. Surprised they didn't want to go play in the snow, and mostly played video games together.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

I have thermal underwear, thick flannel shirts, a heated vest, and thermal coveralls. It feels like a mild spring day when I go outside.

[–] kn33@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

It's -4°F this morning before the wind chill. I put the shell on my jacket so I have a hood and my hair won't freeze. I start the car at least 10 minutes before going anywhere. I give the steering wheel a good minute to warm up once I'm in the car, since that doesn't turn on until I push the button.

So, yeah, it's not too bad if you're a bit boogie.

The house I'm renting leaks like a sieve, though. I'm up to 7 blankets and a comforter at night.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] fsxylo@sh.itjust.works 3 points 9 months ago

Impromptu week long vacation. At least I have food.

[–] theluckyone@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Capital District of New York, here. Weather isn't out of the ordinary for a typical January (yet). I did crank the pellet stove up a few degrees just to help heat the house a little better. I'll burn through more bags that way, but it's better than supplementing with electric heat.

[–] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 3 points 9 months ago

It's alright here, it's cold but I can always add layers.

load more comments
view more: next ›