It was 53 and sunny when the first school system announced today's classes would be cancelled.
It was 55 and sunny when news circulated in the TFP newsroom that we had early deadlines because of the impending weather.
Jay GreesonIn my closing in on two decades in this lovely burg, there are two consistent truths that visitors from here cannot understand completely:
First, when someone from Hamilton County asks where you went to school, they mean high school. Seriously.
Second, right there with death and taxes is the axiom of, "If you don't like the weather in Chattanooga, wait a couple of hours because it's going to change."
So less than 24 hours after eating lunch outside on Monday, schools across the 423 and the 706 are closed whether there is snow on the ground or not.
Did they get it right? Well, now we know, right? If there's ice on the ground, then yes. If not, they erred on the side of safety - and after the horrific bus accidents we have seen locally, regionally and nationally, can you really blame them?
No one wants to hear the "Back in my day" tales of how you walked uphill both ways in two feet of snow. Where did you grow up, Fargo?
Please. There are a slew of ways to make fun of the soft-i-fication of younger generations, but let's not get into your Nanook fishing stories like you had three pairs of snow shows.
Also, why are we still stuck on just bread and milk? You'd think a town as hip as Chatty-Coolness would be leading the way in folks swinging their four-wheel-drive, '30A' and "Pre-she-Ate-cha' bumper-stickered wagons to the Food Market for protein drinks and Kind bars, right?
Anyhoo, be careful out there. Because even though projections were short on the white stuff, there's a real chance that there could be black ice. Wait, can I still say black ice, or is that insensitive? Not sure, but if there is a Sheet of Ice or a little Icicle somewhere that I have offended, then I apologize. (Semi-seriously, here's betting that transparent ice will replace black ice sooner rather than later, because, well, you know.)
Remember, be careful on the roads today.
"It's important for motorists to prepare their vehicles to help ensure they stay safe in the elements," said Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA-The Auto Club Group. "Winter driving can be intimidating, therefore knowing how to navigate during snowfall or icy conditions is imperative."
Of course those of us who have lived our lives in the South have limited exposure to driving in those kinds of settings - something that my friend Justin from Michigan is quick to mention to me. (Side note: Granted, our fine northern neighbors have way, Way, WAY more experience driving in treacherous winter conditions. But have you noticed how many of those folks were smart enough to move away from those condition? Exactly. Who wants the hassle?)
And if you have the chance, enjoy a rare snowfall. Have a snowball fight, create a snow angel with your kids or make some snow cream. Embrace it. This might be our only snow!
And if you absolutely hate it, well, wait a few hours; the weather will change. No matter which high school you attended.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343.