Severe Winter Weather: ESSENTIAL PREPARATIONS, TRAVEL ADVICE, DRIVING TIPS & CLOSURES

Cantona's Collars · 27-02-2018 12:33PM

I think it was DeVore who was worrying about flying into Southampton and driving to Stansted. Just saw on the BBC that there's already 2 hour delays on the M25 and Kent is under emergency conditions.The M20 is almost at a standstill. There's barely a flake in London as all the streamers are on a steady track just south of the city.

cnocbui · 27-02-2018 12:54PM

Deedsie wrote: »

If you have a stove with a back boiler you can still light the stove. Just keep the fire relatively low. Dont let the back boiler kick in if the power goes, and allow it to cool down if the power goes while it is blazing. I wouldnt swap my back boiler stove for a non back boiler one. Waste of energy

Stoves without backboilers do not waste energy. More heat is radiated from the body of the stove. Mine has an efficiency of over 75%.

Coley35 · 27-02-2018 01:00PM

Drumpot wrote: »

I remember some sort of PDF during Ophelia doing the rounds. I think it had emergency numbers and other helpful information. Don't suppose anybody else has it ?

Also, did I hear that there is a website where people can check updates from our government ?

Yea that website is winterready.ie

dave1982 · 27-02-2018 01:16PM

....

highdef · 27-02-2018 01:19PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Can’t see this being too much of an issue. I spent two winters in Calgary, Canada. Now that was proper snow and cold weather. Up to a metre of snow, and temperatures down to -25. It didn’t stop me walking home from the pub with 10 pints of strong lager inside me. Think some folks here are getting into Bear Grylls mode – getting off on the idea of power cuts, self-sufficieny, food shortages, the country grinding to a halt, and all that sort of thing. I’ll be working every day this week, and my staff will be too.

Despite not being too far from the capital, I live about 6km from the nearest shop. None of the local roads get ploughed or gritted plus the local topography means it's quite hilly.

If the snow gets deeper than can be driven on, then I am essentially stuck at home.

Not everyone has shops, pubs and other services nearby. For city and suburban folks in the east, it'll be inconvenient. If I had a shop within 5 or 10 minutes walking distance, then things would be better (assuming the shop keeper can get to the shop!).

Oafley Jones · 27-02-2018 01:19PM

laugh wrote: »

It might end up being irresponsible to require your staff to attend work by the end of the week. This isn't Calgary. The predicted weather would be exceptional. We don't have the experience or equipment to deal with 60cm of snow if it arrives.

How hard is it for some people to understand that it’s exceptional weather conditions that are the issue. The fact that Canada can cope with snow is as relevant as Saudi Arabia able to deal with temperatures of 50 Celsius. I mean FFS it’s obvious stuff.

27-02-2018 01:19PM

My Son has a driving lesson in Mallow in the morning, should he be looking at cancelling it?

aidanodr · 27-02-2018 01:20PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Can’t see this being too much of an issue. I spent two winters in Calgary, Canada. Now that was proper snow and cold weather. Up to a metre of snow, and temperatures down to -25. It didn’t stop me walking home from the pub with 10 pints of strong lager inside me. Think some folks here are getting into Bear Grylls mode – getting off on the idea of power cuts, self-sufficieny, food shortages, the country grinding to a halt, and all that sort of thing. I’ll be working every day this week, and my staff will be too.

Why do you actually feel the need to say all this? Are you in need of some sort of validation by others??

circadian · 27-02-2018 01:21PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Can’t see this being too much of an issue. I spent two winters in Calgary, Canada. Now that was proper snow and cold weather. Up to a metre of snow, and temperatures down to -25. It didn’t stop me walking home from the pub with 10 pints of strong lager inside me. Think some folks here are getting into Bear Grylls mode – getting off on the idea of power cuts, self-sufficieny, food shortages, the country grinding to a halt, and all that sort of thing. I’ll be working every day this week, and my staff will be too.

Having lived in Canada and experienced this myself, you're comparing apples and oranges really.

Alberta and other prarie provinces are accustomed to this kind of weather. That includes mandatory snow tires on cars, some people using snowmobiles, their infrastructure is designed to handle cold weather and heavy snow.

Ireland is not prepared in this way. Expecting your staff to make it to work, unprepared for an exceptional weather event is nothing short of irresponsible on your part.

Bert Cooper · 27-02-2018 01:21PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

My Son has a driving lesson in Mallow in the morning, should he be looking at cancelling it?

Not at all, it’ll stand to him. Great experience. Has the car a handbrake?

27-02-2018 01:23PM

Bert Cooper wrote: »

Not at all, it’ll stand to him. Great experience. Has the car a handbrake?

It sure does but its also only a year old and mine haha.

JohnnyFlash · 27-02-2018 01:23PM

laugh wrote: »

It might end up being irresponsible to require your staff to attend work by the end of the week. This isn't Calgary. The predicted weather would be exceptional for us. We don't have the experience or equipment to deal with 60cm of snow if it arrives.

Listen if it gets bad then obviously I won’t expect them to come in. An auld bit of mushy snow and a low temperature isn’t a reason to let them stay at home watching Netflix and drinking wine at 11 in the morning. This is some moderately bad weather, not the next ice age. There’ll be plenty of people working all through it.

Sardonicat · 27-02-2018 01:23PM

Would anyone be able to tell me when the best time to put salt down on driveways and footpaths is? It's sunny here in Tralee at the moment but rsin/snow expected around 3 pm. It shouldn't get really bad til tonight/tomorrow. I'm looking after the next door neighbours pets while he's away so need a safe passage from my front door to his. Also want to put salt down on an elderly neighbours drive for him. Should I do this now while its still fine out or is too soon could the salt be worn away before its needed?

sparrowcar · 27-02-2018 01:23PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Can’t see this being too much of an issue. I spent two winters in Calgary, Canada. Now that was proper snow and cold weather. Up to a metre of snow, and temperatures down to -25. It didn’t stop me walking home from the pub with 10 pints of strong lager inside me. Think some folks here are getting into Bear Grylls mode – getting off on the idea of power cuts, self-sufficieny, food shortages, the country grinding to a halt, and all that sort of thing. I’ll be working every day this week, and my staff will be too.

Not all heroes wear capes....

jooksavage · 27-02-2018 01:25PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Can’t see this being too much of an issue. I spent two winters in Calgary, Canada. Now that was proper snow and cold weather. Up to a metre of snow, and temperatures down to -25. It didn’t stop me walking home from the pub with 10 pints of strong lager inside me. Think some folks here are getting into Bear Grylls mode – getting off on the idea of power cuts, self-sufficieny, food shortages, the country grinding to a halt, and all that sort of thing. I’ll be working every day this week, and my staff will be too.

I hope it won't be much of an issue but we can only go by the forecasts and it's looking pretty bad. Comparing the entire country to an urban centre that routinely experiences this and has infrastructure designed to accommodate it isn't much use.

I live in the country, have 110 cattle to keep warm, fed and watered, in addition to driving 20 miles of secondary roads to my office job.

Sam Quentin · 27-02-2018 01:26PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It sure does but its also only a year old and mine haha.

Dad Dad I PASSED I PASSED..
That's great son. But where's the car??
Well emmmm eyyyyyyy...........

mumo3 · 27-02-2018 01:26PM

Deleted User wrote: »

My Son has a driving lesson in Mallow in the morning, should he be looking at cancelling it?

I wouldn't be, at this stage they could still charge you, let them cancel on you and its at their expense to rearrange or leave it until the weather changes and you're sure you cant make it due to the adverse weather that's just my opinion on it

DeVore · 27-02-2018 01:26PM

Its looking better for me getting out on Thursday (12.30am flight) but not great for getting across the UK to Stansted in 4 hours... I can see us overnighting somewhere and flying on Friday

27-02-2018 01:31PM

mumo3 wrote: »

I wouldn't be, at this stage they could still charge you, let them cancel on you and its at their expense to rearrange or leave it until the weather changes and you're sure you cant make it due to the adverse weather that's just my opinion on it

Good point, he is hoping for the day off from college too that is pushing it though!

Calibos · 27-02-2018 01:32PM

Lucyryan1983 wrote: »

Bought some heavy duty bags this morning in Mr price. Going to try use the big plastic storage tubs from Ikea. I think they might just work!

Ask your local shop if they have any spare Bread Boards.

qxtasybe1nwfh2 · 27-02-2018 01:33PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Can’t see this being too much of an issue. I spent two winters in Calgary, Canada. Now that was proper snow and cold weather. Up to a metre of snow, and temperatures down to -25. It didn’t stop me walking home from the pub with 10 pints of strong lager inside me. Think some folks here are getting into Bear Grylls mode – getting off on the idea of power cuts, self-sufficieny, food shortages, the country grinding to a halt, and all that sort of thing. I’ll be working every day this week, and my staff will be too.

Canada gets harsh winters every year and can deal with it. Ireland can’t! Putting your staff at risk if it is as bad as they say is irresponsible.

Leprechaun77 · 27-02-2018 01:33PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Listen if it gets bad then obviously I won’t expect them to come in. An auld bit of mushy snow and a low temperature isn’t a reason to let them stay at home watching Netflix and drinking wine at 11 in the morning. This is some moderately bad weather, not the next ice age. There’ll be plenty of people working all through it.

That’s a step back to being a bit more reasonable. I advised on Monday that is our ‘intention’ to remain open for the week, however we will assess the conditions on an ongoing basis. We will text and email staff with sufficient notice if we are due to close so they do not have to make unnecessary travel. I would expect closures for 1-2 days, however you must think of the safety of staff at the end of the day. There is a responsibility on the employer towards staff on their way to and from the place of work....let’s see how things progress

my3cents · 27-02-2018 01:37PM

Deedsie wrote: »

Compared to a back boiler stove that heats my entire house? Is it an efficient use of the energy ?

Really stupid debate! The heat comes from the fuel and if you heat a bigger area because of the back boiler then you have to burn more fuel.

PLL · 27-02-2018 01:38PM

Bert Cooper wrote: »

Not at all, it’ll stand to him. Great experience. Has the car a handbrake?

Ask the instructor is it at all possible that the diff could be welded too.

molly dolly · 27-02-2018 01:38PM

My dad is due to have eye surgery on Thursday morning in KK. We're living between Tullow/Shillelagh. Hospital advised a wait and see what weather is doing on Thursday before cancellation. He'd be out by midday if all went well and we'd rather get him over it so no problem with that. Considering I drove the baby brother to the airport in November 2010 when that all kicked off I'm not in panic mode - especially since we do have the option to cancel if its bad. Freezer full since weekend, oil tank full since weekend. Only think that would throw us is a power outage. Ecck.

Supervalu in Tullow got a bread order of 3 times normal and not a slice to be had now ;-)

Stone Deaf 4evr · 27-02-2018 01:39PM

goat2 wrote: »

I am thinking most of us have the solid fuel stoves, now is a time that I am glad mine does not have a back boiler, because if power outages and water freezes, we still have somewhere to heat beverages and stay warm

unless your stove has been incorrectly installed, a power outage shouldn't prevent you from using it. The system should still be able to operate / vent under gravity rather than turning into a timebomb.

cnocbui · 27-02-2018 01:39PM

Leprechaun77 wrote: »

That’s a step back to being a bit more reasonable. I advised on Monday that is our ‘intention’ to remain open for the week, however we will assess the conditions on an ongoing basis. We will text and email staff with sufficient notice if we are due to close so they do not have to make unnecessary travel. I would expect closures for 1-2 days, however you must think of the safety of staff at the end of the day. There is a responsibility on the employer towards staff on their way to and from the place of work....let’s see how things progress

I think you are wasting your breath on that one.

B0jangles · 27-02-2018 01:42PM

Bert Cooper wrote: »

Not at all, it’ll stand to him. Great experience. Has the car a handbrake?

Back in 2010 I remember watching with total amazement as a driving school car sloooooowly went around a sloping corner on Bray seafront and gradually drifted to a halt to pick up a student who was waiting there to start his lesson.

This was when the whole road surface was at least a inch deep in compressed snow that had turned into bumpy wet ice. It was lethally slippery - when the teacher got out of the driver's seat to let the student in, he had to cling to the car just to be able to stay upright. When the car got moving again it just drifted gently from side to side while moving forward at about 5 miles an hour.

No idea why they though it was a good idea to go out in those conditions - it's not like they had chains on the wheels or anything for practising driving in winter conditions.

Dial Hard · 27-02-2018 01:45PM

Leprechaun77 wrote: »

That’s a step back to being a bit more reasonable. I advised on Monday that is our ‘intention’ to remain open for the week, however we will assess the conditions on an ongoing basis. We will text and email staff with sufficient notice if we are due to close so they do not have to make unnecessary travel. I would expect closures for 1-2 days, however you must think of the safety of staff at the end of the day. There is a responsibility on the employer towards staff on their way to and from the place of work....let’s see how things progress

Same. I work for a huge foodservice logistics company that's looking at whopper fines from our clients if we miss SLAs. The directors are meeting on a four-hourly basis in order to review and plan. In the last meeting our CEO's position was that employee safety is his number one priority and that if the government issues a red warning, everything is being grounded and all staff will be sent/told to stay at home. The company accountant was practically in tears in the meeting at the potential cost of having to do that, but it's a call our senior management is willing to make, because unlike some employers, they actually give a toss about their staff.

Calibos · 27-02-2018 01:45PM

B0jangles wrote: »

Back in 2010 I remember watching with total amazement as a driving school car sloooooowly went around a sloping corner on Bray seafront and gradually drifted to a halt to pick up a student who was waiting there to start his lesson.

This was when the whole road surface was at least a inch deep in compressed snow that had turned into bumpy wet ice. It was lethally slippery - when the teacher got out of the driver's seat to let the student in, he had to cling to the car just to be able to stay upright. When the car got moving again it just drifted gently from side to side while moving forward at about 5 miles an hour.

No idea why they though it was a good idea to go out in those conditions - it's not like they had chains on the wheels or anything for practising driving in winter conditions.

In front of Platform Pizza/Box Burger Yeah?

Severe Winter Weather: ESSENTIAL PREPARATIONS, TRAVEL ADVICE, DRIVING TIPS & CLOSURES

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