Prius Winter Performance During West Coast Winter Storm

I probably shouldn’t make fun of the guy, he was ok. He had impeccable manners around my folks, no obvious disgusting habits like smoking, drugs, or drinking, just a wee bit slow and a real sissy about the weather. I’m sure if I went from our current weather conditions to +40 C with 85% humidity, I’d probably hide inside with the air conditioning

Actually, my folks really liked the guy. When my mom suddenly passed away several years ago, my dad sent him a letter about it. He seemed genuinely sorry and upset if his 3 page letter in reply was any indication. His English sure was better

 

Well, Pearl did fine yesterday, as I expected. Man the roads were icy though. Funny to see cars seemingly in slow motion, sliding along. I tripped the VSC and audio warning turning off the Yellowhead. Nice drift along the off-ramp. The city had been out early spreading gravel, but it was knocked off the wheel tracks in each lane. I straddled the clear parts to keep Pearl's wheels on the grit and had NO problems. As expected, because Pearl was plugged in, the trip out was nice and warm. The trip back, however, was not. Pearl just got up to 50C coolant by the time I got home, whereas she got the coolant up to 60C on the way out.

I think I need to get on the highway at higher speeds to get her fully warmed up in those temps (-30C). It's a "heat wave" today, with temps climbing up into the low -20s! It's supposed to get up to -6C in the next few days. Shirtsleeve weather!

 

I don't get why people live in such conditions. It's like the people who sit at the rainy end of the stands at sporting fixtures, they only sit in the rain because all the dry seats are taken. Were all the warm seats taken?
I almost only own short sleeve shirts.

 

Sounds like our weather

Weather Forecast: Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Weather Network

Winnipeg, Manitoba - Forecast - Environment Canada

Had better hide inside today

 

Oh, it isn't all Doom and Gloom. The frozen, snow covered landscape can actually be pretty. Especially if you see Rime ice on trees. Or when you see an actual ice "rainbow" around the sun in certain bitterly cold weather conditions

There is also something exciting about living in a climate where if the technology fails, you freeze to death

 

Despite the apparent dearth of scenery, the Prairies have a certain charm, even in Winter. Besides, many people would find the steady heat of Australia unbearable, so each to their own. I like all four seasons, though if pressed, I'd admit I prefer the snow stay on the mountains where it belongs. I can always visit on weekends.

Building technology has come a long way since the days of sod houses, but there's still something we can learn from the past. An earth sheltered home with big South-facing windows would be much cheaper to heat and cool than the typical modern home. Add in a ground loop heat pump, and those big cats of Jay's would be comfy all year.

 

I absolutely agree an earth sheltered house is the best way to go, in both a hot climate AND a cold climate

I have a good compromise with Insulated Concrete Form walls that are 12 inches thick. My ceiling panels are Structural Insulated Panel, with two batt layers of Roxul mineral wool above

With SIP, it's incredibly important to ensure proper moisture control inside the home, to have the attic properly vented, and to ensure the panel joins are absolutely airtight. Otherwise you can experience SIP rot, which has happend to some public housing in Anchorage, Alaska

With a well built home, south facing windows that have overhangs to shelter the summer sun, the structure is very easy to heat even at -40. The cats usually sleep in the sun during the day, I have a kitty "tree" up against the window.

At night the cats transfer that stored warmth to me. Way better than an electric blanket

 

well heck, just got home from work, its snowing again, got about 2"... hopefully it will warm up and be gone by tomorrow

 

yeah im surprised i made it up willingdon hill in burnaby when cops are there at the scene turning attention to stuck vehicles... go three seasons!

I should have gotten them x ices 2 for 105 CAD when i had the chance... boy im a fool!

 

It sounds very pretty, I’ll come have a look some day. But I suspect I’ll be glad to know home is warmer.

There is no steady heat here. In winter it's cold, maybe max 13C in summer it can get hot, maybe a max of 40C but only for a few days. Most days are quite pleasant. Non native trees still drop their leaves in autumn and frost forms on the grass on the coldest winter mornings.

My home has 3, 6' x 6' north facing windows to catch the sun and a 4' wide veranda to shade them in summer. It's normally dry here in summer so a swampy air cooler ducted into every room keeps the house more than comfortable all summer and a small gas heater looks after the winter cold.

I kind of like living somewhere where there are 4 seasons rather than 2, winter and August.

 

Correct, technically a Parhelion. Sad thing is, most folks have never seen one

 

I have seen many. Sun dogs usually are formed of ice crystals in the air, forming the illusion of a rainbow, or the two bright arcs on either side of the sun, when you look towards it. The conditions required for ice crystals to hang in the air that much/long, usually means it is REALLY FREAKIN' COLD!

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Heavy

Drinking

 

And how! Like, -34 C

 

Wasn't that freak storm last night fun? I foolishly volunteered to pick up some relatives from the ferry terminal in Tsawwassen, thinking it would be wet and a bit breezy. Oh man, I don't want to experience that again. The snow was literally blowing sideways, and people were fishtailing and spinning out all over the place. I have never seen so much snow in such a short time. Amazingly, I did fine until the first decent hill about three blocks from home. Even then, it was all the other people stuck in front of me that was the problem. I found a convenient spot to park and walked home, then went back this morning to dig out the car. Of course, I was the only one able to make it in to work today. Snowboots never fail.