In my own experience, I don’t do those things unless there has been consistent freezing temps of 10f (-12C) and below for 2-3 days. If any piping is exposed? Absolutely.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Advice For Those Not Used To Cold Temperatures!
- Thread starter mrjim123
- Start date
Temps in TX are crazy! Is that normal? We're heading to Killeen next week for a show but it's supposed to be in the 60's then. That will be nice.
1) Layer up, and layer up with good, clean layers. %100 wool socks aren't necessary, a blend is great. Also, make sure that you're not SO layered up that the layers are squished together - that just squeezes out the air and lowers the effectiveness of the insulation.
2) if you're going to go outside for a strenuous activity or for any length of time - dress to be "comfortably cold." Don't wear so much that you're comfortable when sitting around indefinitely - because when it comes time to exercise you'll start sweating - even if you don't get heat stroke (which - YES - it CAN happen if you wear too much in the cold), you'll sweat all over your clothes and when you cool back down again and risk getting hypothermia if you can't get into some warmth. Instead - your best bet is to dress such that at rest you'll be on the cold side. Mind you - this is basically applicable only if you're doing some strenuous work or spending multiple days outside.
3) Hydration STILL matters. Keep drinking water, hot drinks and soup are great for this kind of weather. Also chili (chilli?).
4) If you have window sills, you can put your beer and beverages on the window sills outside of your windows, and then grab them when you need a new drink. It's great for house parties. You're welcome.
5) If you have to drive anywhere, 4-wheel drive has a BIG advantage in the snow. if you've got it, maybe ask your neighbours that don't if they need any groceries. Also, go slow and stop well before you think you might have to. You can slip and slide even WITH winter tires.
6) Bonhomme de Neige - or the good snow man, may look creepy but he just wants to hang out. At the end of the day - "making it through" any situation is about your mentality, so be like Bonhomme - he loves it out there. You've got this, it's the perfect temperature outside for your beer or your rum and coke, so get a few guys together with a case of beers and some shovels and go through the block shovelling the driveways of those who can't (the elderly, the disabled). Smoke if you got 'em, make some barbecue, make a snow man with your kids, then go indoors for some hot chocolate. Take pictures. It can't be a bad time if you get to help your neighbours while having a good time with your friends.
2) if you're going to go outside for a strenuous activity or for any length of time - dress to be "comfortably cold." Don't wear so much that you're comfortable when sitting around indefinitely - because when it comes time to exercise you'll start sweating - even if you don't get heat stroke (which - YES - it CAN happen if you wear too much in the cold), you'll sweat all over your clothes and when you cool back down again and risk getting hypothermia if you can't get into some warmth. Instead - your best bet is to dress such that at rest you'll be on the cold side. Mind you - this is basically applicable only if you're doing some strenuous work or spending multiple days outside.
3) Hydration STILL matters. Keep drinking water, hot drinks and soup are great for this kind of weather. Also chili (chilli?).
4) If you have window sills, you can put your beer and beverages on the window sills outside of your windows, and then grab them when you need a new drink. It's great for house parties. You're welcome.
5) If you have to drive anywhere, 4-wheel drive has a BIG advantage in the snow. if you've got it, maybe ask your neighbours that don't if they need any groceries. Also, go slow and stop well before you think you might have to. You can slip and slide even WITH winter tires.
6) Bonhomme de Neige - or the good snow man, may look creepy but he just wants to hang out. At the end of the day - "making it through" any situation is about your mentality, so be like Bonhomme - he loves it out there. You've got this, it's the perfect temperature outside for your beer or your rum and coke, so get a few guys together with a case of beers and some shovels and go through the block shovelling the driveways of those who can't (the elderly, the disabled). Smoke if you got 'em, make some barbecue, make a snow man with your kids, then go indoors for some hot chocolate. Take pictures. It can't be a bad time if you get to help your neighbours while having a good time with your friends.
Oh me too in Massachusetts, haven't had to do it yet. But Northern systems are built with normal temps which go down every year and can see below zero. This is a "once in a lifetime event" in TX that will maybe? become common as the Northern jet stream is wagging loosely every Winter all the way to the Gulf...at least there is more variety in weather lately and building codes will have to evolve.
There will be species loss from this event too, I hope more pests are killed than nice animals and plants.
Welcome to Oklahoma! We have snow on the ground, and expect more tonight. The good news? It'll all be melted by Sunday as we expect to be in the 50s. 
From National Lampoon,
“For maximum safety, never leave your home”
“For maximum safety, never leave your home”
If your pipes freeze, do not try to thaw them with a blow torch. Seriously! People do this! ARRRRGH!
You lose body heat through any extremities that aren't covered, particularly the head which has more vascularization. In the Boy Scouts we learned that if your feet are cold, put on a hat. It works.
As pie_man_25 said, if you will be working outside, make sure or at least try to avoid sweating. So if you are shoveling snow and you normally don't do this, layer up and take off layers as you heat up. In the mountaineering biz, they say cotton kills. Wool or wicking synthetics help here. The problem is that once you're wet, you are much more vulnerable to get cold, as in freezing cold. And then its way more difficult to warm up.
If you don't normally drive in snow, three things: steer into a skid, don't spin your wheels because the heat from the friction will dig your tires in further, and if stuck shovel so you can drive straight out. Turning and spinning your wheels is guaranteed to make you even more stuck. The path of least resistance is straight ahead.
Finally, if you must travel with an instrument, let it warm up in the case before opening it up. Condensation is a bitch. Plus, some finishes don't like quick temp changes.
Other than that, hot sauce!!!
You lose body heat through any extremities that aren't covered, particularly the head which has more vascularization. In the Boy Scouts we learned that if your feet are cold, put on a hat. It works.
As pie_man_25 said, if you will be working outside, make sure or at least try to avoid sweating. So if you are shoveling snow and you normally don't do this, layer up and take off layers as you heat up. In the mountaineering biz, they say cotton kills. Wool or wicking synthetics help here. The problem is that once you're wet, you are much more vulnerable to get cold, as in freezing cold. And then its way more difficult to warm up.
If you don't normally drive in snow, three things: steer into a skid, don't spin your wheels because the heat from the friction will dig your tires in further, and if stuck shovel so you can drive straight out. Turning and spinning your wheels is guaranteed to make you even more stuck. The path of least resistance is straight ahead.
Finally, if you must travel with an instrument, let it warm up in the case before opening it up. Condensation is a bitch. Plus, some finishes don't like quick temp changes.
Other than that, hot sauce!!!
Fishheadjoe
@superiorpine beat me to it!
Pic is just another December day, -15C in an open boat... snow is better than rain! LOL
Last edited:
Yeah, but those other states can at least brag about not being Florida.
One more rookie mistake (that I even see here in the Northeast). Having four wheel drive doesn't stop you from sliding off the road into a ditch or slamming into another car. It may help you climb out of a ditch, but don't kid yourself. It does not increase your traction when you have momentum. In fact, the poor weight distribution in many trucks makes them more dangerous in snow. Great for driving up hills though.
When you see pictures of multi-vehicle accidents in icy conditions, you often see just as many 4 wheel drives in the ditch as anything else. Again, my recommendation is to stay off the roads if you don't know what you are doing. A once in a decade snow/ice storm is not the time to learn or test out your truck.
When you see pictures of multi-vehicle accidents in icy conditions, you often see just as many 4 wheel drives in the ditch as anything else. Again, my recommendation is to stay off the roads if you don't know what you are doing. A once in a decade snow/ice storm is not the time to learn or test out your truck.
Be sure to record the beauty of the season - with your guitar.
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
Don't shovel snow if you have any sort of heart condition or lower back issues.
Do not drive in icy/snowy conditions if you can possibly help it, and definitely not unless you have experience doing so.
Do not drive in icy/snowy conditions if you can possibly help it, and definitely not unless you have experience doing so.
If it feels chilly in your home, put on a sweat shirt shoes and socks, stand outside for 2-3 minutes. When you go back in you will be amazed how warm your home got while you were standing outside.
Other tips, dress in layers, make sure your fore arms and calves are well covered (prevents cold hands and feet), wear a hat, drink warm liquids, avoid alcohol, and stay home.
Water supplies where piping runs along exterior walls, consider cracking open (tap water is about 50-55 degrees) if you notice normal water flow has reduced. Save water if possible to water plants, drink, washing dishes.
Just remember, this too will pass. Spring is a month away.
A couple of weeks ago, the weather folks were explaining that the fact that the coldest temperatures are increasing is due to global warming. And now they're telling us that an outbreak of excess heat in the arctic is responsible for colder than normal temperatures down here. I believe in science (I am a scientist), but hate people that abuse the priviledge.
Practical advice: Sleep in your clothes, and a hat, if the heat is out.
Practical advice: Sleep in your clothes, and a hat, if the heat is out.
Last edited:
