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Re: [Phys-L] weather, school, and cars

Schools have been closed several days here (Northern Indiana--in the lake effect snow zone) since the Xmas break, almost all because of wind chill. Seems that neither children nor parents can be trusted to dress themselves or their children warm enough to avoid damage. I don't ever remember this concern in earlier years Now the counties around here have gotten into the game as well imposing travel restrictions (to be fair mostly so they can clear the roads drifting shut--blowing more than snowing) but threatening $2500 fines for any non essential travel. This has forced all the local schools--even Notre Dame--to close until Wednesday. Morning Wednesday temps and wind chills will probably keep the public schools closed still another day (they do have to make these up).

Again, to put this in a pseudo historical perspective, the 1978 Blizzard here (dumping 4 ft of snow in 2 days) was the first time that the University of Notre Dame had ever officially closed. Of course back then almost all students lived on campus and only the poor faculty were expected to make it in, regardless. Yes, liability and our over-abundance of lawyers, many advertising on TV to the tune that they will sue anyone for anything, has changed the approach to bad weather. :-\

rwt


On 1/27/2014 10:10 PM, Anthony Lapinski wrote:
I've been talking with a friend in Chicago, and he's mentioned about
schools being closed due to the very cold weather there. I asked
specifically the reasons for the closings, and he could not really tell
me. I also searched online for some explanations. Does anyone know? Too
expensive to heat the buildings? Health risk for kids waiting outside for
buses? Buses malfunctioning?

He also mentioned that many stores are out of HEET. As I understand it,
HEET is a sort of gasoline antifreeze that contains alcohol which prevents
the carburetor from icing. Is this additive really necessary since
gasoline, depending on the type, generally freezes at a very low
temperature (-72 °C)? And does this depend on how full the gas tank is?

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