Tuesday, January 28, 2014

NOON ROAD/WEATHER UPDATE

From Keith Patton, President @ 5:20pm:
After checking all the  weather information at my disposal, it seems very likely that we are going to experience snow off and on at least through midnight tonight. With this being the case, I have talked with the snow removal contractor and told him to come first thing in the morning. He tells me that the other HOA's that he works for have made the same decision. If at all possible, I would advise everyone to stay off the road until he clears it tomorrow.
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Snow wise, it's fine powdery stuff and slippery once compressed.  Temps in the teens.  Inch down low to about 1.5" at the top, with snow continuing to fall, at times sporadically, for hours more yet.  Within 10 miles of ACA totals are forecast to be 2-4", though for the moment we're in the 1-3 and halfway there. 

12:45p update: AWD Subaru Outback just made it all the way to and up Staymon with only minor slippage.  Attempting the road in a 2WD vehicle is asking for trouble at this time.

Just got a full play by play of the drive UP Apple Creek Road from Al Rose.  I-40 was not well treated and mix of snow and road....19-74 was pretty snow covered....Soco Rd. by Lake J was in good shape, but lake snow covered over the ice.  Mauney Cove is snow covered but passable.  Very few tire tracks on Apple Creek Road, and going up is easier than going down.  Al was in 4WD high and had only minor slipping at the hairpin curves, but made it to the top without issue.  Coming down is where speed must be kept minimal so that gravity doesn't take your errant slippage and send you on a journey you don't want to be on.

Keith Patton understands the snow is still falling, and to salt now is folly if plowing is needed later.  But plowing now is folly, so everyone is urged to stay off the road unless necessary and you have the right vehicle for now.  As I write, Apple Creek Road was free from any stranded vehicles on the sides of the road.

Bob

4 comments:

  1. I've not yet seen a plow headed up the road.......will post when I do. At the moment AC Road is snow covered with a few tracks but they may even be from last evening.

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  2. Al Rose made it down in 4WD high from the top and said it was fine on the 3-4" of snow, with a few other tracks showing others had done the same. Got down to 0 degrees up on Staymon.

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  3. The plow just passed my place heading up the hill.......

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  4. The plow has now gone down the hill by my place.....leaving packed snow on most of the road. I can't see any thawing happening yet so not sure whether he salted or not. At this point I'd say there is still good reason for caution when driving up or down our road.

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