It snowed today, about 3 cm total. This is barely a skiff back home where snow is measured in real units, the smallest of which is an hour. As in "It took me an hour to dig to the shed to get the snow plow out this morning." 3 cm of snow in It-Never-Snows-In-Comox is cause for a Meteorological Alert on the Weather Network and for the Air Base to issue the following warning which I swear I am not making up:
"Attention all personnel, this is the Control Tower. There is a severe snow fall advisory in effect for the Comox Valley. Accumulations of up to 4 cm are expected. We don't understand how to plow roads or drive our vehicles in less than perfect conditions so kiss your asses goodbye. Honestly, it never snows in Comox. Tower out."
Okay, maybe that last bit was made up, but there was real fear and confusion in the voice.
Where I am from, a snowfall of 3 cm is called September. Here in 'The Valley' it's considered a life altering event and cause for mass panic in the streets. Or it would be, if the streets were plowed. Even 3 cm of snow, once it gets all melty and turns to slush, can make for treacherous driving but the snow removal budget for this region, I am given to understand, is slightly less than that spent on Big Foot research.
Also, the folks in my neighborhood seem to feel that any amount of snow, if it is glared at in disbelief long enough, will go away on it's own; no need to shovel it. This is true but I don't have the heart to tell them it's not because they have amazing super powers. Unless you count denial. Inevitably the snow will turn to rain and the rain will wash away the snow and the streets will be safe for another day.
A guy up the street said 'You're welcome' when I pointed this out.
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