Well, apparantly it's going to snow on Tuesday and be freezing on Wednesday. So, in a naive faith that we won't be disapointed this time, here is the official snowy thread!

When the snow comes everyone can report when it snows in their area, report how efficient our council has been with the gritting this year (to be fair to them they do seem to be getting good at doing the priority routes), report how the trains are battling through the snow to get people home even on the transpennine route down the Hope Valley, report when the buses are cancelled and finally share happy stories of sledging.

Hurrah.

Not getting my hopes up, but anybody got any sledging areas worth recommending?

As a kid I often went sledging on a big long slope on the golf course just off Twentywell Lane, Bradway. Sometimes went sledging in various woods in the area as well, such as Ladies Spring wood and Poynton Wood. There is also a grass bank opp my house. I believe there are spots in Graves park suitable for sledging too.

Top Sledging hills

1. Meersbrook Park - used to go there when I was a kid, when we had real winters. This is IMHO probably the best hill in Sheffield , its as steep as the Kitzbuhel Laberhorn, so not suitable for toddlers, but great for stupid adults and students. Polythene sheeting with about 10 on rocks down this hill.
Sometimes local ski clubs set up a drag winch when it is really good snow

2. Beauchief Golf Course
3. Mayfield Valley
4. Norfolk Park
5. Graves Park

Happy Sledging

:thumbsup:

How many forum members can fit on one peice of polythene sheet? Now there's a challenge :D

when i was a lad we used to go to longley park to sledge. is that little stream/ water tunnel still there? P.S. i have a HUUUUUUGGGGEE piece of tarpaulin ;)

Concorde park is OK for sledging as well. I wonder how kids go on for sledging in Lincolnshire?

I mean, the mountain rescue team's equipment consists solely of a set of stepladders there.

Originally posted by Andy C
When the snow comes everyone can report when it snows in their area, report how efficient our council has been with the gritting this year (to be fair to them they do seem to be getting good at doing the priority routes...

This link :

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/street-force/winter-maintenance

goes to the council page about wintry conditions and tells you how they decide where to grit [see link 'priority routes'] and also how to purchase some salt for personal use [they recommend you take some in your car on the 'winter driving' page]

Some useful advice there that may help avoid nasty accidents and delays :)

Longley park is also excellent for sledging. When I was a kid snow used to last for weeks now it's gone after a day on the few occasions it happens. :confused:

El nino:)

info here - http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/el-nino-story.html

We do seem to have a bit of sport in this city of council bashing, but generally when it snows in Sheffield, most of the main roads to get gritted (OK it goes wrong when it rains then turns to snow or ice), and a lot of side streets whilst not gritted, have self service grit boxes for those who need it to get unstuck.

Whilst the council has been critisised in the past, I have to say when I saw all the media reports of absolute chaos in the South of England last year when it snowed a little and they couldn't cope, it just made me appreciate how better we do actually cope up north!

I'll happily join in the experiment to see how many we can get on a big sled/sheet in Meersbrook Park.:D

I Looove snow!:thumbsup:

Cosy:P

Bolehills is good for sledging, be careful not to end up in Rivelin. :D

I'll look out for the huge pile of bodies at the bottom of Meersbrook then!

A game to play while waiting for the snow or when you get snowed in.
http://www.damell.net/yp010.swf
Click a couple of times anywhere on the screen to get it to work and then when you can see what happens you just have tio get your timing right.
I managed to get 323.4.

Enjoy.

Originally posted by Lickszz
Longley park is also excellent for sledging. When I was a kid snow used to last for weeks now it's gone after a day on the few occasions it happens. :confused:

I agree,if it does snow I will be straight into Longley park with the kids,armed with plasic sheeting.

Loads of fun

Fuzzy, 'cool' game. Cheers.

Originally posted by tango2
I agree,if it does snow I will be straight into Longley park with the kids,armed with plasic sheeting.

Loads of fun

Those were the days. As many people piling on the sheet as possible. :thumbsup: :D

No sign of snow yet, although it's pretty damn cold!

Forecast for tomorrow morning isn't it?


Notice all the papers that were suggesting we were about to enter the 2nd ice age seem to be quickly retracting with stories saying it isn't going to be as bad as originally expected!

most recent forecasts that I have seen predict no snow for Sheffield:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3263

although just noticed this one that does:

http://www.metoffice.com/weather/europe/uk/cities/sheffield.html

bet we won't have much snow though, it'll be the really annoying sort that gets you wet, doesn't settle properly and then freezes so that all the pavements are like ice rinks.

When I arrived at University in Sheffield in '96 I was told that I would be guarunteed some decent snow every year, 8 years on and I'm still waiting...

Originally posted by rtapper
This link :

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/street-force/winter-maintenance

goes to the council page about wintry conditions and tells you how they decide where to grit [see link 'priority routes'] and also how to purchase some salt for personal use [they recommend you take some in your car on the 'winter driving' page]

Some useful advice there that may help avoid nasty accidents and delays :)

Don't foget also to ring up work saying you can't get in by bus:D
If you think its bad getting a bus in the good weather your in for a longer wait when it snows:mad:

Jan 1997 Sheffield Lane Top - City Route 75
Time of Journey 4 HOURS and 12 MINS!!!!!!:mad:

I do think that the media have gone over the top on this. Anyone would think that we have never had the stuff. I reckon that they are making sure that they don't get blamed if the trains are late. :rolleyes:

Well now i'm disappointed.

I wanted to be tunneling under the snow all the way to work, and I wanted to go skating on all the lakes and ponds, and I wanted to attempt the "most people on a tarpaulin sledge" record.

Awww.

well looking at the weather today it would appear the chances of a "white out" are a bit remote.

Originally posted by Mr BusDriver

Jan 1997 Sheffield Lane Top - City Route 75
Time of Journey 4 HOURS and 12 MINS!!!!!!:mad:

same year, route 53 abandoned all attempts to climb halifax road at fletchers and i completed the last couple of miles on foot, took 3 days to defrost .

one more thing to remember for the impending snow fall.

its no good having four wheel drive if the car in front doesnt have it:thumbsup:

Originally posted by tango2
I agree,if it does snow I will be straight into Longley park with the kids,armed with plasic sheeting.

Loads of fun

i seem to remember it was tango who set off down sycamore road( ecclesfield)which is near vertical, on his sheet,and, having reached terminal velocity half way down he realised there was a sharp right hand turn near the bottom,they dont build walls like they used to :D

Originally posted by gizmo
i seem to remember it was tango who set off down sycamore road( ecclesfield)which is near vertical, on his sheet,and, having reached terminal velocity half way down he realised there was a sharp right hand turn near the bottom,they dont build walls like they used to :D

It was a sharp left hand

Due to the way it faces and because it's very steep, my road is often impassable for days due to the snow not melting and getting compacted into ice.

I've got so fed up with seeing cars sliding down the hill into parked vehicles that whenever it snows I grit the bottom part of my road, but it really annoys me that I've got to lug heavy buckets of grit from two streets away, when there should be one at the bottom of my road. :mad:

Well, down south they don't have grit bins at all, so think yourself lucky! ;-)

Anyway, I thought the paper said we would be buried alive in snow by now in a new ice age........

Forecast seems to say only coastal areas now, but snow showers inland overnight tonight.

SOunds like a bit of an anti climax to me - it's like a summers day outside. Except cold.

Originally posted by tango2
It was a sharp left hand

left or right doesnt matter cos you carried straight on

It is flippin freezing out. The house is taking a bit to warm up too.

If it is going to snow then snow damn it!!

Moon

From the beebs weather site for South Yorkshire:

Rest of today (Tuesday):
Occasional sleet and snow showers near the coast, otherwise mainly dry but becoming generally cloudy. Feeling bitterly cold. Maximum temperature 2 deg C (36 deg F).

Tonight:
Snow spreading to many areas, perhaps preceded by sleet initially. Minimum temperature -2 deg C (28 deg F).

Outlook for Wednesday:
Period of snow during morning. Snow showers in east later.

i wish there was snow!!

although it is nice and sunny

So where is it then? :mad:

Soooo disappointed.

It'll probably be snowing over t' East Coast, places like Skeggy, Mablethorpe, Cleethorpes and that, not that it matters, all the tourist stuff'll be shut anyway till back end of April/mid May when the season starts again.

AAAAAAAAGH!!!!!! Its snowing!!!!!

YEAY!!!!! it be snowing on the hill of Stannington, please snow me in so I don't have to go to work:D

Please snow me in too. Can someone keep me updated of what the snow's like in Walkley!! South Road area please!

excellent! its just started here :D

White layer in Crookes on all things.

just started in Wadsley!!!!!!! YIPEEEEEE!!!!! Out sledging with the kids tomorrow!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Crookes... just round the corner from Walkley... good chance of snow at work for me then?? pleeeeeaaaseee...??
Chloé

Now snowing in Halfway.

its snowing in jordanthorp too! maybe its a bad thing actually, cuz it means busses will be slower tomorrow and harder to get to uni :/

snow in sothall is nice

Been snowing in Ecclesall for over an hour now and its settling quite nicely.

not quite the forecast expectations fulfilled though!

But it is soft and white I guess.

Started about 9.00pm here in manchester, where I am today, but it has stopped now, probably about an inch, but it has forecast more for the morning.

Light Snow showers in City Centre.

Snowing properly in Bradway and Dore.

Well, to check the travel situation online in the morning:

roads: www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews

rail: www.nationalrail.co.uk

buses: www.sypte.co.uk

Just looked out of the window and no snow to be seen. Guess it's always a bummer living near city centre. Only muddly melted snow puddles always.

I left Barnsley tonight at 935pm (No snow) by the time I was on the A61 at High Green it was blizzard conditions, Ive just walked in now as most of the roads in the West side of Sheffield are un-passable.

We started playing musc in't pub at about half nine.... it started snowing.
Finish about midnight (shan;t mention pub name for fear of nasty licensing people)...wander/stumble out, snows just stopped...

paranoid?

Not me!

:( Very clear sky over Shiregreen..guess i won't be building a snowman later today :mad:

There's snow around the city-side of Ranmoor, off the Fulwood Road - just a light covering but enough to make you drive slowly on the ungritted :rolleyes: roads. I imagine it will be gone by the morning though.

It's quite funny that the council don't grit roads in major residentail areas - how do they expect people to make it to a gritted A-road when they can't even drive down their own street! (I'm only joking of course - but it's fun to moan ;) )

I love snow! Years ago it would snow more, like in 98 and stuff, but now it hardly snows at all. Oh well, some is better than nothin!

Alas no snow here on parson cross, tho ive just gone a**e over t*t on monteney playgroung cos its like sheet ice.

remember when you made those slide patches in the ice at school, and the bigger kids would check what shoes you had on so you wouldnt ruin it?

Nope. No snow. Rubbish. Just rubbish ice everywhere.

Was in pub last night in town and it did look promising, coming down quite heavy. But no. All that's left this morning was rubbish ice.

Well there was snow in arctic Crookes this morning, but now I'm nearer town there's none, aaaawww.

*Peeks out at the world*

Pah! Tame compared to New years eve (Driving wise anyways).

Then again finding ice while driving uphill is educational when you are not ready for it...

Wheeee and I think I'll try that one again! :D

Here in Stannington it seemed to think about snowing an ikkle more but we shall see. Get bored then giggle at the world.

Time for the meds and straight-jacket again I think. :)

Take care all.

Yes, how disapointing this morning when all there was was a very thin layer of patchy snow on the pavement and nothing else! However that was supposed to be a light first wave of snow.

I'm in Derby as I type this and it has started snowing here.

Update - not snowing anymore in Derby.

its snowing again (in jordanthorpe)!! but the flakes are small, maybe they are turning to rain? o.O

12:20 Further update from here in central Derby - it's snowing again!

Hope there's a good layer of snow when I get back to Bradway tonight, I might get a carrier bag and do a little bit of sledging!

12:35 Now turned to rain and all trace of snow gone.

14:00 Snowing again!

:o :o Random blizzard happening in the city centre right now, blowing over shop signs and all sorts of other goodies. Looks nasty sitting here from the comfort of my office ;)

here in rotherham well next door to meadowhall we have something white and cold but i think its hale not snow lol i darent venture out to check! although i'll have to soon to goto work

We got hail and lots of it yeayyyyyyy come on snow!!!!!!!!!

Just watched the snow blow in across Sheffield. Was really weird, you could see the blue sky with this line of white coming nearer and nearer until the rest of Sheffield disappeared and we were engulfed by it.

Seems to be settling too.

Well...we've had it all in the space of 4 minutes! thunder rumbled everything went dark and chucked it down, now everthings brighter and there is a minature blizzard goin on and its settling!

Where are you Mosherchik? The city centre has got a covering of thin snow - which has fallen in the space of about 5 minutes! Seems to be calming down again now, but it caused the ground to cool down, so if we have 'proper' thick snow it will settle.

my boyfriend txt me at 1 o clock from leeds to say you could seeall coming in one minute blue skies then like a swarm of bees he desciribed it as swirling around in the sky then everything went dark and it all came down

its official snow is here on the rotherham/sheffield border!!!

Serious Blizzard kicking off in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, its been on and off all day but its really going for it now.... M1 is going to be fun this evening.

This is scary, its definatley settling

Hackenthorpe!
We have our own weather time warp its weird! has half heartedly attempted to snow but recently is really coming down down!

it's all looking very white from my window - the hallamshire hospital has just disappeared!

Yikes, the city centre is getting full snow now. The pavements are getting covered - I hope everyone gets home tonight!

was snowing quite heavily here in banner cross for about 10 mins, has slowed now, but roofs are covered :)

don't quote me on this but the buses here in rotherham seem to have stopped running! :confused:

See the snow on my cheapo webcam:

http://www.nickcrossland.co.uk/webcam

Its seriously coming down now!
Ive got to get to work in this! Ahhh public transport!
Trams had better still be running otherwise I cant get to work...

*thinks*

...What am I saying? Trams had better not be running then I can have night off work :wink:

sorry to be the messenger of bad news but the trams are running lol

Originally posted by damo4real
sorry to be the messenger of bad news but the trams are running lol

Damn! :mad:
Oh well Mecca stops for no man! whether he's made of snow or otherwise!

hahaha i was hoping to get out of work but alas its not to be jjb meadowhall beckons in 4 hours

Longley is white over,still snowing quite heavy

City Centre is as well.. heavy flakes coming down. And I've gotta get back over Shirecliffe in this..

Suppose I might as well dig out the wellies and put the long johns on! :wink:
gonna have to get ready for work now! curses to Supertram! :(
cant see many people wanting to come out in this lot to play bingo!....
Mind you some of em are that rabid and fanatic they'd cross the Gobi desert if they thought there was a bingo hall there that sold chips and gravy! :loopy:

Yeah I was gonna say - can't imagine they'd make it to the bingo hall! You'll find random frozen old people scattered around the car park tomorrow, faces fixed in a determined "I'm going to play bingo" look...

Im going out.....I may be some time :wink:

Hmmmm OAP popsicles half price! :thumbsup:

the blue skies appear to be coming back again now, the snow is retreating - just when we thinking about leaving early to buy a sledge, bet it's all melted before i get home, bah!

Yep, blue sky and sunshine... what a shame :( For once I wanted the bad weather to continue. At least some of Sheffield's dreary old 60's buildings look a bit prettier now ;)

Originally posted by Jayne
bet it's all melted before i get home, bah!

...hmmmm how long you lived in Crookes?

Nomme

Damn the snow has ceased!....
Bet you though as soon as I go out to get tram there'll be a big snowdrift and I'll get covered!
Sods Law and all that!

Awwww.

I just start to get all excited and it stops.

Now also stopped at the southern outpost of Barlborough :-((

Having fun watching the cars skid all over the place on the (ungritted) road on our industrial estate.

Trouble is I'll be heading down there in an hour or so?

What's the traffic like in Sheffield? Any news?

Originally posted by jackthedog
Awwww.

I just start to get all excited and it stops.

(exactly my thoughts!)

I think the second wave is on its way..I work in Hillsboro and can see towards Leeds where it all comes from...looking very grey in distance...

I work at Red Tape Studios on Shoreham st ant the traffic is looking pretty bad on here !!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by major decker
I think the second wave is on its way..I work in Hillsboro and can see towards Leeds where it all comes from...looking very grey in distance...

cancel the walk to the post office then...

Just about to drive back from Hull - whats it like over there in Sheffield????

Is it *mostly* okay? Wasn't too bad getting here this morning setting out at 07:00

Nige

Longley is currently a death trap,roads are like sheets of glass,couldnt get in car all locks frozen solid.

Looks like a night in then.

traffic in sheffield is entirely grid locked from what I can see, nothing is really moving at all. I'm at the safeway roundabout on the ringroad, eccleshall road seems to be the worst.

We got sent home from work at 4, finally got home at 6:45. Walked from Walkley all the way to the Manor Park. Good exercise but I have frostbite on my chin!! Snow started come down at Walkley bout half 2 ish. Thought it would pass but it didn't. Had to leave my car on Bole Hill Road for the night!
Anyone willing to keep me updated on if there's more snow tonight in Walkley!?

Well it took forever to get home on tram earlier due to jacknifed lorries near hillsborough way and when i got to sainsburys in crystal peaks the staff were moaning as they had nowt to do due to lack of customers !

Originally posted by Andy C
We do seem to have a bit of sport in this city of council bashing, but generally when it snows in Sheffield, most of the main roads to get gritted (OK it goes wrong when it rains then turns to snow or ice), and a lot of side streets whilst not gritted, have self service grit boxes for those who need it to get unstuck.

Whilst the council has been critisised in the past, I have to say when I saw all the media reports of absolute chaos in the South of England last year when it snowed a little and they couldn't cope, it just made me appreciate how better we do actually cope up north!

Huh! I have just spent 5 hours getting home from work - NO roads were gritted, not even the big ones. There were no traffic police in evidence (not even one). The services we get stink to high heaven. I wonder how many people died tonight as a result of this. Ambulances certainly could not pass to the Hallamshire Hosipital.

I left at 2:30pm, as soon as it looked like it was going to carry on for the rest of the afternoon.

Got home at 4pm, what with traffic jams along penistone road and the roads being very slippery.

There is always one idiot tho, over took 5 cars on the mainroad doing about 55mph on sheet ice, and snow.

I probably held some people up by driving really slowly, but I can't afford to replace the car if I have an accident. So better to get in 20mins later than have a written off car.

Couldn't park the car properly when I eventually got home, it was just sliding everywhere :( Lets hope I can get it out tomorrow morning, as it is parked up against a wall so I will have to reverse backwards up a steep hill to get it out. If not I can see myself ringing into work with apologies. :(

Skatie

Just walked in at 7.10pm, having left work at 4pm; the journey from Ashby to J33 (M1) took 1.5hrs. All the rest of the time was spent getting from the parkway to hunters bar... crazy.

Why does this country grind to a halt at the first sign of snow?

Just realised I've got no food in, bugger. What do you reckon the chances of getting a pizza delivered is? :(

URGH I contemplated food delivery but decided the chances were slim considering we live on a hill!

Just rescued my husband who - in his wisdom - went to the shop in ordinary shoes as opposed to boots. HURRAH for para boots, best £25 I have spent in my life. DId get some funny looks as my husband was leanng on me doing ice skating impressions!!

Everyone seemed quite happy though despite many being left short of bus routes.

Trams are only running between middlewood and Shalesmoor at the moment.

Moon

Originally posted by Chloe
Had to leave my car on Bole Hill Road for the night!
Anyone willing to keep me updated on if there's more snow tonight in Walkley!?

I set off from Rotherham at 4.30 and got home at 6.15 and also parked on Bole Hill Road as there was no way I was going to go any further down the hill. It's not snowing now but if I remember later I'll post an update.

also... the black ice was starting to form towards the end of my journey; pity the people who are still on the roads.

Max... mine's the white saxo with Titch on the back, N reg. Keep your eye on it! lol

Ive just spent 2hrs driving from the town centre to crystal peaks.What a nightmare!Its the first time i can honestly say i was scared behind the wheel!!Never again its the tram for me in future i will NEVER drive in snow no matter how little snowfall!
All i can say MR BUS DRIVER is thank god im not in your shoes!

What a nightmare.
I left work at 3.15 pm and have JUST got home (now 8.30 - ish). Admittedly, my walk home from Fulwood to Firth Park included several pub stops. But what a nightmare.
Anyone else had worse today because of the snow???
:loopy:

Bizarrely, my commute home from Nottingham was quicker and less crowded than usual, only the part coming into Sheffield past Jordanthorpe was snarled up.

Just been out to the offy though, and Meadowhead was well icy, was slipping about even with 4wd.

Originally posted by hiyabeing
What a nightmare.
I left work at 3.15 pm and have JUST got home (now 8.30 - ish). Admittedly, my walk home from Fulwood to Firth Park included several pub stops. But what a nightmare.
Anyone else had worse today because of the snow???
:loopy:

Exactly. See the apologists out in force on the other thread relating to this. No wonder things never improve.

Originally posted by Carynne
Exactly. See the apologists out in force on the other thread relating to this. No wonder things never improve.

Apologists for whom? The drivers who don't know how to cope with a bit of ice and snow?

Originally posted by Chloe
Max... mine's the white saxo with Titch on the back, N reg. Keep your eye on it! lol

Still no snow in Walkley, will look out for it in the morning.:thumbsup:

I have had an exciting snow adventure! got let out from 6th form at 2.30 due to kind Sociology teacher, trekked up over King Edwards field in the driving blizzard and waited for a bus for ages. The 51s didn't appear, got on a 274 (????) and it took 20 minutes just to get down Manchester Rd into Crosspool! (normally takes less than a minute).

In the end it took a whole hour to get to the top of West ST, and my friends had to get out of the bus near Weston park several times to stop the traffic so the skidding bus could navigate through without hitting parked cars.

All this fuss over just a bit of snow. Ptcccch! I ask you...

Originally posted by max
Apologists for whom? The drivers who don't know how to cope with a bit of ice and snow?

Hmmm... I presume there is some magic driving technique for "coping" with waiting for 4 hours in infirmary road without food, warmth, or a full tank of petrol and with two tiny kids in hand.

Originally posted by Mike
Bizarrely, my commute home from Nottingham was quicker and less crowded than usual, only the part coming into Sheffield past Jordanthorpe was snarled up.

Just been out to the offy though, and Meadowhead was well icy, was slipping about even with 4wd.

Took me about the same. And I get to Sheff and its a case of 'What snow?' Why the panic? There's nothing there!! Sorry, but its pathetic, leave more space between yourself and the vehicle in front.... as you should be doing anyway and you're fine... Instead you get people trundling along at 20 in a 60 zone and everybody tripping over them... Not the weather that causes the accidents, its people going into a blind panic about it....

So, now that the cat is amongst the pigeons...

Originally posted by Carynne
Hmmm... I presume there is some magic driving technique for "coping" with waiting for 4 hours in infirmary road without food, warmth, or a full tank of petrol and with two tiny kids in hand.

Sorry about the kids bit but didn't you know it was going to snow? It's been on the radio and TV for days that you shouldn't set out without blankets and something to drink just in case you get stuck.

Once again, sorry to hear about the kids, did you get them home OK?

Even today - I watch out of my window and see invincible drivers in indestructible cars hurtling into junctions and situations that they have no hope in hell of any car control if there is ice.

The average driver is just a moron. It's a shame that they put me at risk at the same time. You can be different if you know what to do.

Maybe it's not my place, but I learned to drive in these conditions with a trained off road and high speed police driver and an ex bus driver (when busses had gears and carried on in the snow) and I learned a few tricks of the trade. I would like to pass on the top 5 snow and ice driving tips.

Tip No 1. 1st gear is provided by the devil. Use it and stay die! (or at best, go nowhere fast).

Tip No 2. Your feet are attached to the engine. Faster engine = faster wheels = faster slipping. Just remember that they are attached to your brain too.

Tip No 3. As soon as you have started moving forward ALL your attention should be on how you intend to stop. Driving in snow & ice is about stopping, not moving.

Tip No 4. (This is the really clever one;)). When you are travelling downhill, use the lowest gear possible, regardless of how slow you feel you're going, and here's the top tip... click your handbreake on one at a time until you feel it just bites. When you want to stop, keep clicking your handbrake and the lightest ever touch on your footbrake and you will stop perfectly wherever you want to.

Tip No 5. Don't make the journey if you don't need to. If you do get caught in jams or conditions that are beyond you, get off the main road, park sensibly and go to the pub / McDonalds / Mother in Law's / stay and do some overtime, etc. You could even WALK ! :o

I've said enough - hope it helps. Please feel free to add your own

Got to agree with you, JEG1.

As a driving instructor (who by the way was out in it yesterday), I agree its the drivers that cause the problems and not the weather (although yesterday's problems could have been mitigated somewhat if the gritters had been out - we knew it was coming and they should have been out ALL DAY). No accident is caused by outside factors - it is ALWAYS driver error. Don't blame the weather if you have an accident - alter your driving style.

A few tips for driving in snow:-

1. Make sure that your car is well maintained, plan your route carefully and check the latest weather forecast.

2. Allow more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. At least TEN seconds. And slow down earlier - NO HARSH BRAKING!! Use the gears to help slow you down instead. Braking must be very gradual to stop the wheels locking. If the wheels lock-up, the vehicle will slide and go out of control.


3. Use as high a gear as possible on slippery surfaces.

4. If your vehicle skids, don't hit the brakes! Ease off the accelerator and steer slightly into the direction of the skid until you re-gain control. Turn with steady rather than jerky motions.

5. An equally common problem is getting stuck in the snow. Your wheels spin but your car goes nowhere. This is when emergency equipment is most important. Don't continue to spin your wheels; you'll only wind up in a deeper rut. Instead, pour sand, salt or gravel around the drive wheels to give them something to grab onto and improve traction ( An old carpet is ideal). You can also shovel snow away from the wheels and out from under the car to clear a pathway. Try to move away in a higher gear than 1st - this a very harsh gear and your wheels are rotating too fast to get a grip. Try 2nd or even 3rd gear - but make sure you've got enough revs on so that the engine doesn't stall.

6. Ice is even more dangerous, because the thicker it is, the harder it is to see. When running or standing water freezes on the road, it forms black ice. This can linger in the shadows cast by trees and buildings throughout an otherwise sunny day. So if there has been a sharp frost overnight, be careful, especially when driving through shadows that keep the sun off corners and roundabouts.

7. Keep a full petrol tank. It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad snow storm.

8. Keep a survival kit (warning triangle, torch, blanket, chocolate bar) in your car in case of emergency. Membership of a breakdown service is also advised.

9. The first fall of snow is very dangerous if the roads have not been gritted. Once gritted, there should be enough grip for careful driving, but it's when snow becomes compacted and refrozen overnight that the greatest care must be taken. Ungritted roads will become impassable by most vehicles and even gritted surfaces can remain extremely slippery.

10. Keep your windshield and windows clear. Keep a ice scraper handy, and use the car defroster or a clean cloth to keep the windows free of mist

Hope that helps

In deep snowy conditions, some people also advocate pulling the fuse out of your ABS system.

Originally posted by JEC1
Took me about the same. And I get to Sheff and its a case of 'What snow?' Why the panic? There's nothing there!! Sorry, but its pathetic, leave more space between yourself and the vehicle in front.... as you should be doing anyway and you're fine... Instead you get people trundling along at 20 in a 60 zone and everybody tripping over them... Not the weather that causes the accidents, its people going into a blind panic about it....

So, now that the cat is amongst the pigeons...

So your one of the idiots that drive at 60mph regardless of whether you know if there is black ice on the road or not. Just because its a 60 limit doesn't me you have to drive at 60mph.

No wonder there are so many accidents.

I do agree, that people should leave more space in front of them, and not hurtle upto Junctions and not brake at the last minute hoping they will have traction.

Skatie

Originally posted by Skatiechik
So your one of the idiots that drive at 60mph regardless of whether you know if there is black ice on the road or not. Just because its a 60 limit doesn't me you have to drive at 60mph.

No wonder there are so many accidents.

I do agree, that people should leave more space in front of them, and not hurtle upto Junctions and not brake at the last minute hoping they will have traction.

Skatie

Well said,everyone now claims to be an expert driver,as for saying there was no snow,must have been in another city because as far as im aware there was plenty of snow.

If people insist on going out and killing themselves in this weather just make sure you do it where the roads are free of other drivers (that are being cautious).

Thanks, Saxon.... and yes, Skatie, yesterday I did travel at 60mph.. in fact at times it was 65+.... The gap between me and the vehicle in front was large, visibility was good, the road was slush in the centre and the edges but nowhere else, I knew the amount of grip and traction I'd got.... there was no reason not to.

So long as you drive smoothly, plan ahead, look ahead and allow plenty of space, you're fine....

Originally posted by JEC1
Thanks, Saxon.... and yes, Skatie, yesterday I did travel at 60mph.. in fact at times it was 65+.... The gap between me and the vehicle in front was large, visibility was good, the road was slush in the centre and the edges but nowhere else, I knew the amount of grip and traction I'd got.... there was no reason not to.

So long as you drive smoothly, plan ahead, look ahead and allow plenty of space, you're fine....

What an idiotic attitude,and I suppose if you had an accident it would not have been your fault.
The weather was quite clearly bad yesterday,with numerous warnings with regard to driving safely.
You quite clearly have no regard for anyone else on the road,I drive for a living and and drive a large vehicle,its always people with your attitude that you see flying through the slush like its not there.
It only take one brief lapse of concentration and what you think (in your tiny mind) to be a safe condition becomes a disaster.

Maybe you should hav a good look at yourself and your attitude.

I hate this weather. I had to walk home from work last night all the way from the top of london Road to Stannington.

My poor feet are killing me!

Well, I got my usual 5.07pm train from Derby to Sheffield last night and at Sheffield was decanted at 6pm into the middle of traffic hell. The roads were clear yet chaos!

As the roads round town were just gridlocked decided against getting a bus and went to Rutland for a pint then went back to station for 7.14pm train to Dore (which ran on time). Including the 15 minute walk from Dore to Bradway my journey time home from town was 22 minutes. I got home an hour later than normal but that extra hour was spent in the pub!

Decided to recapture my youth for a few minutes after left local pub last night and did a bit of sledging on a carrier bag.

Was fun but not enough snow to get a good run.

Originally posted by tango2
What an idiotic attitude,and I suppose if you had an accident it would not have been your fault.
The weather was quite clearly bad yesterday,with numerous warnings with regard to driving safely.
You quite clearly have no regard for anyone else on the road,I drive for a living and and drive a large vehicle,its always people with your attitude that you see flying through the slush like its not there.
It only take one brief lapse of concentration and what you think (in your tiny mind) to be a safe condition becomes a disaster.

Maybe you should hav a good look at yourself and your attitude.

So because you drive for a living that makes you a perfect driver? Were you the van driver sat in the middle lane of the M1 yesterday afternoon... not moving regardless of whether there was anybody in the left hand lane or not? He/she drives for a living too... they were driving dangerously.... Or were you the one who just pulled out in front of me a few miles further on, reducing my safety gap to a few yards because he/she couldn't be bothered to look and/or wait?

Where I was in Sheff, the road conditions did not justify travelling at a snails pace.... the conditions were fine. Slush at the side and in the centre... rest of road clear... space in front of me aplenty.... ... Oh... and was that adriver of a large vehicle in front of me doing 60+?

So... about your sanctimonious attitude? (you abuse me....)

Originally posted by JEC1
So because you drive for a living that makes you a perfect driver? Were you the van driver sat in the middle lane of the M1 yesterday afternoon... not moving regardless of whether there was anybody in the left hand lane or not? He/she drives for a living too... they were driving dangerously.... Or were you the one who just pulled out in front of me a few miles further on, reducing my safety gap to a few yards because he/she couldn't be bothered to look and/or wait?

Where I was in Sheff, the road conditions did not justify travelling at a snails pace.... the conditions were fine. Slush at the side and in the centre... rest of road clear... space in front of me aplenty.... ... Oh... and was that adriver of a large vehicle in front of me doing 60+?

So... about your sanctimonious attitude? (you abuse me....)

Never said I was a perfect driver,so dont even try to say I did,please define driving dangerously.
No I was not on M1 yesterday,so you are wrong again,oh yeh driving dangerously,(60 to 65mph with kids in car ?), in poor weather not only do you have no regard for others but you would drive at such speeds in poor weather with kids in car.

There was a reason for poor trafic in sheffield yesterday,that reason was poor weather (ice and snow),obviously you are imune to these conditions,and feel we should al do the same as you.

All it takes is a little common sense and patience,you have none on both counts.

I insult you ! good

Originally posted by JEC1
Or were you the one who just pulled out in front of me a few miles further on, reducing my safety gap to a few yards because he/she couldn't be bothered to look and/or wait?


I think that is the issue really. Yes, you may feel you are in control and can drive 60 with no problems but you can't rely on other motorists to do the same.

You can do a few miles with a decent gap between you and the car in front but more often than not someone else is going to pull out in front of you and you'll have to brake which could be a problem when the roads are like that. OK you may say there was slush in the middle and the outside of the road, you knew that, you don't know the guy in front or behind or to the side of you has realised it.

Originally posted by tango2
Never said I was a perfect driver,so dont even try to say I did,please define driving dangerously.
No I was not on M1 yesterday,so you are wrong again,oh yeh driving dangerously,(60 to 65mph with kids in car ?), in poor weather not only do you have no regard for others but you would drive at such speeds in poor weather with kids in car.

There was a reason for poor trafic in sheffield yesterday,that reason was poor weather (ice and snow),obviously you are imune to these conditions,and feel we should al do the same as you.

All it takes is a little common sense and patience,you have none on both counts.

I insult you ! good

Right.... seeing as I'm quite clearly dealing with somebody who has a mere fraction of a braincell..... let me spell this out...

You inferred by your statement that you drive for a living that we should listen to what you have to say..... thereby holding yourself up as an example to the rest of us.... Follow so far, pleb? Hence my question... note question, not statement. There is a difference, one is seeking the truth, the other is stating (look! hint!) the truth.

Also, did I state that you, Tango2, were on the M1 yesterday? If so, where? I referred to two examples of professional drivers yesterday who were driving dangerously. I can quote more if you wish. Its not hard unfortuanately. Perhaps this concept is beyond you ....

Furthermore, where have I said I had kids in the car? Perhaps you should learn how to read something thoroughly. As I don't even have kids, I would be very interested to know why there were kids in my car.. or perhaps you mean kids as in goats.... which I don't have either.... and would be even more interested to know why there were goats in my car...

Now.. as to the weather conditions, where I was all there was was slush at the side of the road and in the centre.... for the third time of saying. All I've seen is less than an inch of snow, the main roads are clear.. even some of the nastier patches were perfectly clear this morning, when I was expecting there to be ice there....so... to repeat myself... what snow? There's nothing here to justify chaos.

Common sense and patience? Well... common sense usually equates to nonsense in my experience, put forward by people who can't be bothered to actually think... Patience? I'm dealing with you, aren't I? Now... you were saying?

Maybe no snow on the roads you drove on, but on the main road I drove on, it was full of snow and ice.

Not good driving a long at 60mph on it.

I was one of these people you referred to driving at 20mph in 60mph zone

But there wasn't anyone tripping over me, everyone was happy to sit behind me (apart from one moron who choose to overtake 6 cars round a blind bend on ice) watching my movements so they knew where the ice was.

Skatie

Originally posted by JEC1
Right.... seeing as I'm quite clearly dealing with somebody who has a mere fraction of a braincell..... let me spell this out...

You inferred by your statement that you drive for a living that we should listen to what you have to say..... thereby holding yourself up as an example to the rest of us.... Follow so far, pleb? Hence my question... note question, not statement. There is a difference, one is seeking the truth, the other is stating (look! hint!) the truth.

Also, did I state that you, Tango2, were on the M1 yesterday? If so, where? I referred to two examples of professional drivers yesterday who were driving dangerously. I can quote more if you wish. Its not hard unfortuanately. Perhaps this concept is beyond you ....

Furthermore, where have I said I had kids in the car? Perhaps you should learn how to read something thoroughly. As I don't even have kids, I would be very interested to know why there were kids in my car.. or perhaps you mean kids as in goats.... which I don't have either.... and would be even more interested to know why there were goats in my car...

Now.. as to the weather conditions, where I was all there was was slush at the side of the road and in the centre.... for the third time of saying. All I've seen is less than an inch of snow, the main roads are clear.. even some of the nastier patches were perfectly clear this morning, when I was expecting there to be ice there....so... to repeat myself... what snow? There's nothing here to justify chaos.

Common sense and patience? Well... common sense usually equates to nonsense in my experience, put forward by people who can't be bothered to actually think... Patience? I'm dealing with you, aren't I? Now... you were saying?

Did I refer to you as kids in car ? ,,,,halfwit, no I didnt it was a mere example ie in brackets.

Did I say you said I was on M1 ?, no I didnt you asked if I was and I stated no,and suggested that you should not imply that I was.

You said what snow ?, then went on to say there was slush in middle of road and sides,therfore there was snow.

Two drivers,driving dangerously,that is only in your opinion.

Did I put myself up as an example ?,no I didnt again only in your opinion.

So any other punctuation and grammar mistakes you want to pull up on ?

********

What's the best technique for walking on ice on the pavements and not falling over?

Go slowly, avoid sudden movements and steep hills. Or sit sown and slide along, then you've got nowhere to fall to.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
What's the best technique for walking on ice on the pavements and not falling over?

Walking like a penguin helps. Ignore the flapping of the wings though. This is superfluous.

Originally posted by chill
Walking like a penguin helps. Ignore the flapping of the wings though. This is superfluous.

Also.... don't stare at things flying overhead or you may fall over backwards... and remember that humans store their eggs inside them, not on their feet :P

Click here for Yorkshire snow coverage image (http://members.lycos.co.uk/arepeejee/sheffieldsatsnow.jpg)

Went up to derwent edge yesterday, lots of snow. nice thing was, apart from snowball fights and trying to roll spliffs in a heavy wind, that we were the first people up there apart from the animals (onw pic shows just animal tracks infront of us, no footprints.)

http://www.netheredge.com/galleries/derwent/index.html

snow snow and more snow, 3ft deep in drifts

Right, i'll be up on Redmires tomorrow morning then, with sledge.

If its snowy out in the hills, i'm goin out there. I need to get over this no-snow disapointment.

I feel like a big kid, I just want it to snow. When it was coming down the other day I was looking out of the window in sheer amazement hoping it wouldn't stop.

Then it took me 90 minutes to drive 6 miles home, I then hated the snow.

Those photos are amazing Phan!! I'llhave to come on one of your hill walks... looks beuatiful, and I can roll anywhere, in any conditions!!! :D

Yeah great photos! I've got one that I took of my minature snowman (it was only about 2" tall!). I will put it online later (if I can really be bothered... lol).

Originally posted by Agent Dan
Those photos are amazing Phan!! I'llhave to come on one of your hill walks... looks beuatiful, and I can roll anywhere, in any conditions!!! :D

sadly my digicam is on the fritz after my son threw it to the floor...

these were taken by a fellow traveller

Will be some 35mm shots, but they will hardly be current by the time Mr Stockton gets em developed.

I hate the snow, cold weather and rain.

In Liverpool, winters are much milder - it's snowed there about three times in 15 years. It is wetter though - something to do with being on the same plateau as rain sodden Manchester I believe.

Originally posted by Abdul
I hate the snow, cold weather and rain.

In Liverpool, winters are much milder - it's snowed there about three times in 15 years. It is wetter though - something to do with being on the same plateau as rain sodden Manchester I believe.

True. I've lived in Liverpool for 8 years and there has only been 1 significant snowfall in all that time - just after Christmas 1995.

I'm afraid my kids are going to grow up without really playing in snow at all!

We haven't had any snow during the past week. I commute by train each day from Liverpool to Manchester and there was no snow until we reached Warrington.

Now things have calmed down a bit, looking back, what was all that about in Sheffield City Centre.

A person I know went to Garsdale (Yorks Dales, on Settle-Carlisle railway line) on that Wednesday to take scenic photographs, and due to the forecast went by train instead of driving. Despite arriving in Garsdale in serious blizzard conditions, the trains outward and return ran bang on time, and the roads there whilst council signs were out warning of winter driving conditions, there were the odd cars, lorries and buses happily driving around even on the hilly routes. He arrived back at Sheffield on the train to find Sheffield City Centre gridlocked, with a lack of taxis, buses and trams, even though the roads were clear and there was little snow. Outside of the city centre the main roads were clear of both snow and traffic.

He observed everyone was panicking, driving badly, and worst of all, blocking junctions and roundabouts. That was why it was gridlocked - once stupid people block junctions no one can go anywhere.

Would this be a fair observation?

PS he got some excellent photographs of the Dales in the snow.

Originally posted by Andy C
Sheffield City Centre gridlocked ... outside of the city centre the main roads were clear of both snow and traffic.

He observed everyone was panicking, driving badly, and worst of all, blocking junctions and roundabouts. That was why it was gridlocked - once stupid people block junctions no one can go anywhere.

Would this be a fair observation?


Absolutely! In my case, start at the junction of West Street and Rockingham Street heading out of town. The Supertrams (each being sixteen miles long) were a major contributor to the gridlock, as several of them were waiting in line after the other, happily blocking escape routes in all directions.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the evening was a daft pillock in a Toyota saloon at that junction, who stayed in the right hand lane (ie, the lane to turn right) and promptly turned left as soon as the lights changed, blocking TWO lanes of traffic!

What a dick, eh boys and girls.

And at the junction of Neepsend Road and Rutland Road, some dick in a Land Rover held up the entire junction 'cos he wanted to turn right when his escape route was blocked by traffic. So he waits patiently in the middle of the junction, allowing nobody out.

Thankfully, once I got out of the city centre (after 45 minutes of crawl) I got home at my usual pace.

I think what the city centre needs is more yellow box junctions.

My thanks to you all

What the city sentre needs is police officers and trafic wardens that do point duty on major junctions!

Mind you, how many drivers would recognise the hand signals these days?

Originally posted by Tony
What the city sentre needs is police officers and trafic wardens that do point duty on major junctions!


But that wouldn't generate as much revenue as hitting somebody with a parking ticket, would it?

Originally posted by Abdul
But that wouldn't generate as much revenue as hitting somebody with a parking ticket, would it? Ooo, you cynical cheeky monkey! :D

Snowing in Crookes again now.
It has been hailing on and off all afternoon, but now snow. Excellent:thumbsup:

was some snow on burbage this morning - mainly it kept trying to hail.

Eeee, When i wur a lad i sledged at Hartley Brook down to the stream.l