Los Angeles nearly freezes, nearly panics
Almost one year ago to the day, The Los Angeles Times posted a scathing editorial chastising Seattle for freaking out over some snow - never mind that snow went on to transform into the greatest ice storm that our region has seen in the past century.
Among the editorial was this gem:
"The snowstorm had been forecast to be the worst to hit the Puget Sound region in 30 years, an ominous warning that scared easily scareable Seattleites."
Fast forward 362 days to Monday, when Downtown Los Angeles set a record for coldest temperature they had experienced in the past 22 years.
How cold? 30? 20? -10?
Try 34 degrees. Not even to the freezing mark. (For the record, the *high* in Seattle that day they mocked us was 32.)
How is Los Angeles coping with this weather that could almost -- almost! -- turn water to ice?
Not easily:
Los Angeles Magazine, only half tongue in cheek, had an article today referencing that Kimmel video: "Pray for us, it's cold."
The author, a Chicago native pens: "If I’m cold—and I am—then natives certainly have every reason to complain. Sorry, we’re not sorry."
That's fine. Just remember that next time it snows in Seattle.
Oh, and before we load up the semi trucks full of blankets, it's still going to reach into the mid-upper 50s during the daytime.
Lol! Los Angeles is much like Seattle in the way, that if you travel 20-30 miles east or north of downtown of either city, a temperature of 34ºF can easily transform to 24ºF.Â
It's Global Warming,,, Â really,,, Â run for your lives,,,, Â it's Global Warming,,,
Just LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
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Go live in the East Coast or Midwest and deal with THAT winter, Californians. You'll never complain about 34 again.
Anyone know who the original author is of the LA times post is? I'd like to see if they posted there is a state of emergency in LA.
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Both of these stories just crack me up. I lived in LA for 10 years, followed by 12 in rural Alaska, and I have been here in the South sound area for 14, and both LA and Seattle area have their share of wusses when it comes to crappy weather. A little drop of rain in LA and people go berserk, a sprinkling of snow or heaven forbid--ice, and people here seem to lose any ability to drive and drink their coffee at the same time. I am the 'designated driver' when there is snow or ice here, and my means of transportation is a Toyota Corolla without snow tires, without four wheel drive. Driving cab in a village in Alaska was where I learned that driving on snow and ice, rivers, and the ocean, are not difficult things to do. But, it seems impossible to explain that to people in either LA or Puget Sound. But, like I said, it sure is funny to watch them struggle through such catastropic weather patterns.
No comparison should be done between the two situations. I find it hysterical that LA "freezes" at 34 degrees. Obviously they don't get that kind of weather there often. However the snow we receive is NOT good for driving in. It's usually snow over ice, compounded with the fact that this area is not what anyone could consider flat. This is what causes most of the accidents (that and all the people with 4x4's who forget to exercise caution because "it's a 4x4"). I don't always like the weather here, but I realize that it will change so I try not to complain... too much. It gives an interesting story in future years.
because that's was local news stations do now. They sensationalize weather as leader for advertising. Do as I say, not as I do.
Born and raised in Washington the coldest I have ever seen was the year my new Beetle was encapsulated with ice over an inch thick. I couldn't get in it for two days. This must have been 02-03?? Last January was cold and the ice was horrible. It just didn't seem as bad. Maybe because I could get in my car! The only bummer of last year was we were without power for 9 days. Thankfully we have the wood stove. Used that for everything from cooking to warming bath water! It was kind of fun but, we were glad when we could do laundry.
Crybabies for sure. But then again, so are most of the people who live up here. This state is full of some of the biggest weather whimps. It rains, people complain.It's hot, people complain. It snows, people complain (and wreck their cars because they were too dumb to buy and carry chains). I'm a San Diego native and I tolerate the weather up here a hell of a lot better than the majority of folks. I love the hot, I love the cold, and I especially love the snow!
That ice storm last year was no small thing, and there were not relief crews showing up at our doors as we struggled with prolonged power outages, blocked roads, and closed gas stations and supermarkets if a person could get out.
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Having said that, the kind of cold that 34 degrees is nearer the coast in California is much more bone chilling than the same temperature here. They really are cold, and I hope it warms up for them soon.
And the folks in Minnesota are laughing the loudest. at all of us!!
I thought the thick smog would keep everyone warm during the Winters.
 @31F Sorry to burst your bubble, the smog there is not that bad. Now.. Seattle and Tacoma? We have smog this week, ironically.Â
 @DT How dare you burst my bubble; I'm done for :(
My UPS driver is STILL in his shorts! I think it has to be in the single digits before he wears pants! Then I KNOW its cold.
 @My-celiums I used to be married to a UPS driver, and I think he wore pants ONCE, he was always in shorts.. no matter the weather.Â
I am dyin' over here! Laughing that is...!
God, those guys are a bunch of whiny pansies!
The coldest I've ever seen it in Washington was sometime in the late 90's I believe, 40 degree's below zero on Lake Curlew. One of the few times they've closed the schools here because of weather. Can't have kids waiting on a school bus at 40 below. I believe they had problems starting the buses that day.
@uscit16791949 Yep thats Eastern Wa for you- I can only Remember them closing Republic's schools once, and that was when some high school boys tought it would be fun to turn the parking lot of the bus barn into an ice skating rink. I can remember in 3rd grade waiting for the bus while it was snowing and going out to recess in the snow, there were paths through the play yard for those who didn't want to play in the snow.Â
@uscit16791949 back in the early 1980s, Ellensburg had a cold snap, -45 at night and up to -10 in the daytime...lasted for about 2 weeks...and it warmed up on Parents Weekend...it was 25 ABOVE...folks were in shirtsleeves and windbreakers. The visiting parents from the west side were agog that we were so casual...."IT WAS COLD!" We just laughed. My 1975 Chevelle and 1970 Chevy pick up were among the few cars to start that cold snap.
Once when I lived in MN I went outside, stopped suddenly and remarked to my dad "Wow, it's warm out. It must be almost 30 degrees!" Â I was dead serious. Â Still makes me giggle today. And with the right coat and such, even our current weather wasn't bad. (But I was dumb and wore my light jacket so I was chilly. :P )Â
As a kid growing up in Pullman I can remember one Janurary morning at the bus stop when my friend Nicky had his flattop freeze into little black shards of ice right on his noggin (I'm pretty sure was wearing a Hypercolor t-shirt and his pants were French rolled). I patted him on the head and the shrds broke off!!! His hairdo was awesome the rest of the day with a little bald patch the middle. My nose hairs froze as well. Now that's cold!!
California wimps!
Its true LA is one never ending ugly abyss...too bad they wasted that good climate too.
 @MossMan I pity you that you've never actually been to LA. If you had, you would know that's not true... "Moss"man.  I'd prefer palm trees, and blue skies, and pretty buildings, over moss-coated, dark gray, ugly architecture, up here, any day.
 @DT  @MossMan I have family who live down in the LA area. It's beautiful down there, but I love living in an area that has more variable weather, less congestion, and I actually enjoy the scenery around here more. Palm trees are awesome, but I love the dense evergreen forests as well.Â
Who cares what they say in LA? It's one of the least desirable places to live in the nation, again, who cares?
 @angulu Lol.. jealous much???Â
 @DT  @angulu Believe it or not, but there are people who actually prefer this area over LA. It's fine that you don't though.
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Where I grew up it gets so cold during winter I had to cover my mouth and nose because it hurt to breathe. It doesn't hurt to breathe out here, but it is too cold waiting for the bus.
I have rain water in flower pots outside that are frozen solid. Â I live in Washington, Â Puget sound, Tacoma Wa to be exact, Â Its cold,. Â Â
Its not cold here in the Puget Sound area. I am still in shorts and sandals and enjoying the sunny weather!
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 @rwgav8 If you are in shorts and sandals try staying out all day.  I imagine you might be like the water in my flower pots.
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@Rosalund @rwgav8 Believe it or not, there are kids at my son's bus stop that are still in shorts.
 @lots of opinions Its all relative--kids in Alaska wear short pants and bunny boots to school, and unless the windchill or the actual temperature is at least minus 70, they go to school.Â
Coldest I remember it being near seattle was 2 degrees F (2008 maybe? 2009?), technically it was in Lake Stevens, but still. Â 34f feels warm on a day like today! Â My Wife and I went on a 4 mile walk this morning at 7am, it was still in the upper 20's then! Â My only complaint is that I WISH it was snowing! Â
The Slightlycoldpocalypse is well underway...
lol, what a bunch of pansies. It was 15 degrees this morning where I live, and I had to work outside this morning. And the saddest part about that is there is someone that lives in North Dakota or Canada that is laughing at me over 15 degrees because its easily below 0 where they are.
 @Dredd57 lol...yup. I grew up in Iowa...we would consider this to be downright balmy for January....in fact I was living there last winter..mildest winter I can ever remember. I was out jogging in mid 30's in January thinking life was pretty sweet. :)