As a Florida driver who cannot even imagine the helplessness these drivers must feel while experiencing this, please explain to me: how does this happen? Are they driving faster than conditions warrant? Or is there no way to know in advance that there is no traction on the road?

Excessive speed and quickly changing road conditions mainly but it's very hard to judge the safe speed on the freeway when you are moving smoothly with traffic until you need to stop or turn quickly. It was just below freezing on maybe half an inch of freezing rain so until you hit the brakes the ice did have some traction but as soon as you lockup the pressure on the ice causes a thin layer on the surface to melt causing the worst skidding loss of control possible as the physics of force and motion take over.

http://www.kgw.com/weather/reporter-video-notebooks-icy-conditions-across-portland-area/396706394

http://www.kgw.com/weather/photos-ice-storm-hits-portland-metro-area/396711054

Up the river a bit.

The backyard.

 

How slick are the roads?

 

How slick are the roads?

So, where's the salt?

 

So, where's the salt?

On the table.
https://twitter.com/PBOTinfo?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

Advisory: PBOT sent all 3 salt trucks to NW Skyline Blvd: US26 to Newberry Rd & NW Germantown: Skyline to US30

They sometimes clear main roads but everything else is a mess.

 

On the table.
https://twitter.com/PBOTinfo?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author


They sometimes clear main roads but everything else is a mess.

I think I prefer hurricanes.

 

It's a, "sweat dripping in my glasses" kind of day. 79F and I'm working on my car...removing more computer functions.
I'm going to have to put my sweat band on to keep my glasses dry.

 

It's a, "sweat dripping in my glasses" kind of day. 79F and I'm working on my car...removing more computer functions.
I'm going to have to put my sweat band on to keep my glasses dry.View attachment 120145

Stayin' alive...

 

Stayin' alive...

Did you go visiting #12 today when you snapped this?

 

Did you go visiting #12 today when you snapped this?

Striking similarity, no?

 

It was actually hot and dry today, 26°C in the afternoon, but a nice and cool 18°C at night. No need to turn on the AC just yet.

 

45F is PLENTY warm for a BBQ. I grill out well into the 20s.

Masochist...

It is 36F and starting to snow. I am grilling out. Is that crazy?

 

I am grilling out. Is that crazy?

It depends.... are you having a good time?

 

It is 36F and starting to snow. I am grilling out. Is that crazy?

Depends on how close you are standing to the grill.

90F here in South Florida today.

 

Having a week of spring here. Upper 70's with lots of sunshine.

 

It is 36F and starting to snow. I am grilling out. Is that crazy?

Not if your grilling something real good.

 

It depends.... are you having a good time?

It was more about the taste. Hard to have a good time by yourself.

 

Not if your grilling something real good.

Steak. Always better on the grill.

 

Steak. Always better on the grill.

And steak ain't the only thing you can grill... have you taken a look at my grilled doughnuts ?

 

Steak. Always better on the grill.

+100.
The Only way to do it.
Not crazy at all!

 

And steak ain't the only thing you can grill... have you taken a look at my grilled doughnuts ?