How does Canada or the Scandanavian countries cope with snow while we can't?

[sandyRoe]

How much more would the UK need to spend on snow ploughs to keep the roads clear?

[mollykins]

The thing is, they spend more on snow ploughs because they know they'll need them a lot, but usually in England it's only a couple of days a year so the government would be criticised for spending all that money for ploughs that are only used for those few days a year, although, looking back maybe they should have bought some more for this winter. But who knows, we may have all this snow now and non after christmas.

Plus i think, more people in those countries have 4x4 and other such vehicles that can cope with this kind of weather.

[scotman]

I imagine it's because they always get the same amount of snow at the same time and have learned to cope. Maybe Stewey or Swedeheart could let us in on the secret.

[oscarina]

I was in Canada a few years back in January it was sub zero absolutely freezing couldn't go outside unless you were muffled up and the buses were running trains running every morning the roads were clear and life went on we even had a trip to Niagara Falls which were frozen over but absolutelyspectacular. I know our weather at the moment is extreme for us, but so many schools closed buses will only take main roads loads of people disadvantaged because the can't travel etc.

[237SJ]

They get weather such as this every winter so it is worth their while investing a fortune in coping strategies because they know every winter will be the same. Our climate is temperate and we could have milder winters for many years before we get a really bad one. I watched an interesting interview with a scientist on the TV who said that our colder weather could be due to reduced solar activity. Reduced solar activity can continue for decades so maybe it`s time to invest in the possibility of freezing winters in the future.

[237SJ]

By the way, talking of snow, I was in Washington a couple of days ago and we only had 2 inches of snow there but all the schools for miles around were closed. If the snow comes down quickly there is nothing anybody can do about it.

[Bambiagain]

Here in Germany they're pretty well geared up for it, although this year winter has started very early and there is more snow than usual so early. The first day can be a bit chaotic, but after that the snow ploughs are out and the roads are usually passable. The only times it is realy bad are when it snows heavily in the night and the early traffic has problems, or there is a lot of wind and the snow drifts - much more dangerous on the roads. But the major difference when driving is snow tyres. In England it was nell nigh impossible to drive over deep snow and up hills, while hear, if you drive sensibly (and some don't - I've seen several cars and lorries in ditches already - including an ADAC car, the AA/RAC equivalent) then it's quite possible to get from A to B. A 4x4 is not always an advantage, though. I've got a front-wheel drive car and it is pretty good in snow.

[Bambiagain]

Remind me to proof-read before posting. Errors too many to correct...

[seadogg]

Haven't a clue on money but we were camping at Yoho Park in the Canadian Rockies when a freak storm washed the site, the road and the trans continental rail route away. By evening everything was sorted. They must factor the costs into fares airport taxes etc.. Otherwise a country like Finland could never afford to keep the planes flying..

[Buenchico]

It's a myth that such countries actually keep the roads clear of snow. Much of their ability to cope with winter conditions is because drivers fit winter tyres and/or snow chains.

There's plenty of snow on Denmark's roads at the moment
http://www.trafikken....=document&objno=20580

Use the drop-down menus to see what Sweden's roads are currently like:
http://trafiken.nu/sv...trafiklaget/?tabidx=1

Sweden's winter traffic regulations (via a Google translation):
http://tinyurl.com/2v8uocs

Chris

[Bambiagain]

I believe in Sweden they don't clear all the snow - just skim the top layer off and leave the compacted snow. With the right tyres and chains where necessary traffic keeps moving.

[scotman]

Thanks for that Chris. I did hesitate to mention studded tyres as I wasn't sure they still used them in Sweden. Apparently they do grind away a fair bit of the road surface every year.

[237SJ]

I agree Buenchico. I remember seeing farmers in North Devon with snow chains. People had snow tyres as well. I lived 20 mins from Exmoor and in the winter I always had a torch, blanket and shovel in the car. If it snowed we did our best to be prepared and only made necessary journeys.

[NazNomad]

"How much more would the UK need to spend on snow ploughs to keep the roads clear? "

Relatively little. Most large/medium sized gritting lorries have the facility to bolt a plough-blade on the front.

[welshlibranr]

I agree Naz, they don't make enough effort in this country, they just hope that we won't get a hard Winter, and wing it.............when it happens, then it all goes to pot!.......

[pastafreak]

A bit of investment in ploughs,etc would most likely save a lot of money........money being lost via lost employee days,revenue,consumer spending,etc.

[lankeela]

How about airports? Russia and other places that have cold winters and lots of snow - do their airports close?