The "Sprizzard" may not be a surprise to native Coloradans, but if you just moved from out-of-state and are wondering where all the snow came from, and how you'll survive it -- have no fear!
We asked Denver7 viewers to provide some helpful advice for those who are new to the state and got many helpful tips so you can survive this March snow "madness."
Jack Metzel says you should be mindful of your driving:
If you aren't required to be anywhere, don't get in the car. Leave early if you do have to leave, though. Clean off your WHOLE car. Give yourself a few extra car lengths between yourself and the guy in front of you. Remember, four-wheel drive doesn't mean four-wheel stop.
If it's weathering, headlights [should be] on. High beams will reflect off the falling snow and blind you (and everyone else). There's nothing wrong with going 20 [mph] in a 45 [mph road] if there's 3 inches of snow on the ground.
If you're inside your car warming it up, remember to clear your exhaust from the outside. Have nothing blocking it. Blocking it can cause fumes to fire back up to your vents, causing carbon monoxide to be inhaled. (from David Gonzales)
If you're the first car in line at a red light and the light turns green, WAIT and WATCH before entering the intersection as you don't know who will come sliding through on the cross street. (from Laura Hecker)
Jennifer Gray suggests teaching younger drivers how to drive in the snow by (safe) trial-and-error:
Take your teen driver to an empty parking lot and purposefully make them slam on the brakes and skid multiple times. If the parking lot has a hill, even better. Teach them how to brake on a downward incline. Stop allowing your inexperienced teens to drive on snowy roads.
Helen Noyer offers some advice when it comes to picking the right kind of shovel:
Clean your porch and walk DURING the snow so it does not build up in heavy deep drifts that you cannot handle. Dry snow - best shovel to scoop and throw is the tall one. If wet snow, the better shovel is the rolled short that you push/ scrape as snow is too heavy to lift with the tall shovel.
Louise Richards goes all out and proposes that you think of the storm as a small vacation that you should spend with family:
Take a SNOW DAY or two, don't drive anywhere. To get out on snowy and icy streets that have not been cleared - especially with precious, noisy kids in the car, puts you, your car, and cargo at risk especially on hills and curves. You may be confident in your own snow-driving, but there are less experienced and less careful drivers out there doing stupid things. Instead use your time to relax and enjoy the family, and to get out and shovel every time another 2 inches falls (saves the back from the heavy work later). Consider this a "vacation" at home for the day, and do whatever involves you with your family and neighbors. Bake cookies! On that note, do some shoveling for the neighbors too, especially the elderly. Bless you if you snow-blow your neighbors walks, driveway and sidewalks!
Terrie Smith has a word of caution to those who haven't shoveled snow before:
Be prepared to shovel..or get someone to do it.....have lots of food and water on hand and an alternative heat source other than gas or electric...
Meg Day reminds you to stay hydrated (yes, even in the cold!):
Shove or blow often don't wait for it to end. It will be better for your health as it won't be as strenuous on your heart. Keep warm and hydrated. Even cold weather can definitely dehydrate you.
Jackie Day has a tip about what to do with the snow you shoveled:
Don't complain about how they remove the snow from the streets. Clean off your entire car & shovel all of your sidewalks putting the snow BACK INTO your YARD and not into the streets.
BONUS: El Paso County Sheriff's Office shared this helpful tip via Twitter if you happen to be stranded:
If stranded, stay with your vehicle until help arrives. It is safer to stay inside the vehicle protected from the wind/elements than outside
— El Paso County PIO (@epcpio) March 23, 2016
With these few tips, we hope that you will be better equipped at handling the mess. One last thing: Welcome to Colorado!
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