We're potentially facing snow in the Seattle area. Which means we're about to face the inevitable onslaught of smug comments from people who aren't from here mocking us for "freaking out" about a few inches of snow. Let's talk about why we "freak out." [THREAD]

1) It's not that cold here, generally. This usually means that the ground isn't freezing, so the snow doesn't stick at first and melts. Especially on roads. By the time the ground is cold enough for the snow to stick, there is a solid sheet of ice under that half-inch of snow.

2) It's hilly here. Like San Francisco hilly. Seattle is basically a series of hills and valleys carved during the last ice age. There are a lot of places where you can't even walk up the hills in the snow, let alone drive up them. Cross reference that with point number one.

3) It doesn't snow all that often here, as such:
- We don't have the infrastructure to plow everything immediately.
- Many people don't have winter tires because they're not usually needed.
- We don't get a lot of practice driving in the snow.

I've lost track of the number of people I know who are from the Midwest, come to Seattle, say, "I know how to drive in the snow. I'm from [FLAT STATE WITH REGULAR SNOW]!" and then almost get in a car crash.

Instead of mocking, maybe trust the people who live here.

For reference: one of our more infamous hills and SOMEONE SKIING DOWN IT!