That’s me, with my truck and about 15 inches of snowfall.

I know we’ll hear about this statement, but I. Can’t. Stand. Snow!

I know for many the white blanket of frozen water covering everything in sight like an exploded bag of confectionery sugar is beautiful. Allow me to educate you; if you’ve never had the experience of a bag of confectionery sweetness exploding in your kitchen, it is a mess (just like snow). You will spend forever on the initial clean up and then days and days finding it in every crevasse, much like the snow-covered side streets of a city.

You may contend it’s beautiful and peaceful and say “I love sitting at home on a snowy day and having a cup of tea curled up in the window with a book and my cat.”

Well that’s fine and dandy if you can do it, but a significant portion of us have to go to work regardless of the weather. A really happy few (emphasis on the sarcasm) going to work in a weather mess is even more important than a sunny day. I am one of those people. Many moons ago the powers-that-be decided that weather makes good television. So whenever Mother Nature sneezes we have to break into your regularly scheduled program to bring you a special report – with team coverage.  LIVE. LOCAL. LATE BREAKING.

I call this: Snow Drift, Light and Photographer-cicle.

Needless to say, as a professional photojournalist I’ve had a lot of experience in the weather when Mother Nature gives us the cold shoulder. Here’s my advice for driving in the stuff:

ADVICE FOR DRIVING IN SNOW

1. DON’T!
2. Just because you have 4-wheel-drive doesn’t mean you can drive like you usually do.
3. Going is easier than stopping. Leave plenty of time and space to stop.
4. Ground clearance is important. If you have 4-wheel-drive and no ground clearance, you will get stuck in deeper snow.
5. Highway speeds in snow just leave you in a ditch or worse.

I’m not the only one with tips on winter weather driving, of course.  AAA has a much longer list on the dos and don’ts of driving in Mother Nature’s mess.