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The Midwest was hit by yet another snowstorm this weekend. With many areas receiving between 12 to 20 inches of snow, business and schools were shut down across the region. This has been a particularly snowy winter, with many cities threatening to break records for snowfall in a season, and this was the largest single February snowfall on record. Anytime we get a snowstorm, there appears to be a palpable buzz in the air. However, rather than fear, there seems to be excitement in the air. This seems odd given that there a whole host of unpleasant and even dangerous consequences of snowstorms.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press headline on Monday was "Big Snow, (relatively) few problems.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_17444818?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
The "few problems" include:
343 cars had been towed
656 cars had been ticketed.
181 car accidents had occurred
20 people were injured in car accidents
190 vehicles had gone off the road
15 cars fires were reported
6 state troopers had been hit
In addition, approximately 33% of ER visits were storm related. These injuries ranged from back and neck pain to broken bones to a handful of snowblower accidents, along with people treated for chest pain.
Add to this the costs to houses that are damaged by leaks when the snow melts (yes, I had this happen to me last week, and I am not looking forward to the next round of melting snow), damage to cars, power outages, and other unexpected consequences and we can see that snowstorms are both costly and dangerous.
So I return to my initial question: Why do people get excited by snowstorms when a relatively problem free snowstorm leads to all the problems described abive? My sons, Jack and Adam, were thrilled to have a snow day, even though they did not have school anyways due to President's Day. They were projecting the odds of another snow day on Tuesday, sounding like Las Vegas oddsmakers in their analysis. However, it seems we ought to fear and dread snow days due to the increased likelihood of car accidents, costs to repair homes and cars, missing work or school, being stranded inside, as well as the hours spent on our "free day" shoveling sidewalks, driveways, and shoveling out cars.
What is the psychology behind excite over a snowstorm?
A day off from work or school?
A chance to catch up on work around the house?
A quiet, relaxing day with family and/or friends?
A chance to play a vicious game of Snow Football (which is what the three of us did!)?
In the end, our lives can become routine, and a snowstorm that breaks up that routine can provide novelty, and a break from work or school, despite the sizable costs and dangers of snowstorms.
Forecast for the rest of the week: Chances of snow on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with odds looking bleak against another snow day.
