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The Biggest Winter Wimps: These 10 Cities Just Can't Handle Their Snow
After Winter Storm Pax last week, snow was reported on the ground of 49 of 50 states (Florida was the only state left snow-free). For most of the country, it's been one hell of a winter. And while some states are the downright toughest, others can't seem to function once that first snowflake hits the ground. Find out which cities in America are the biggest winter wimps.
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New York, New York
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 25.1 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: 12 inches
Parents, students, and New Yorkers who just want something to complain about were angry that Mayor de Blasio didn’t cancel school on account of winter storm Pax. Though public transportation was running as usual, slippery conditions and plenty of brown sludgy muck made commuting less than ideal after the snow. It’s all the complaining that makes New Yorkers wimps at heart about this weather.
Washington D.C.
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 14.5 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: 3-6 inches
Even though D.C. expects over a foot of snowfall each year, the snow completely paralyzes the city whenever it comes. February 13 added an additional 3-4 inches of snow to the already covered city, and several government offices shut down, arguably unnecessarily.
Baltimore, Maryland
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 20.2 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: 3 inches
That average-snowfall to average-snow-day ratio doesn’t lie. Still, perhaps Baltimore is best to be cautious: two people tragically died while shoveling snow in the city just this past week.
Portland, Oregon
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 3.0 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: 6 inches
The hipster city took on the name Snowlandia last week as schools and businesses shut down, events were cancelled, and streets remained quiet. Stick a wimpy bird on it!
Charlotte, North Carolina
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 4.3 Inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: Any snow
Roads were heavily stalled, schools were closed, and the death toll from the most recent storm is up to nine in Charlotte, a city that isn’t exactly used to this harsh of a winter. Yikes, we’re glad in that case they are playing it safe.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 3.9 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: Any snow
In Raleigh, Pax cut electricity to more than a half-million homes and businesses. Many citizens abandoned their cars that were stuck in the unusually heavy snow. A tough winter city never quits.
Atlanta, Georgia
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 2.0 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: Any snow
Interstate highways remained empty for days as Atlanta tried to figure out how to navigate the snowstorm two weeks ago. Schools were closed before even the first drop of sleet fell, and many local businesses shuttered their doors as soon as the predicted snowfall was announced. Preemptive closings? Sorry guys, but that lands you on the list.
Birmingham, Alabama
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 1.6 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: Any Snow
It only took a thin blanket of snow to close schools and businesses here. That, and we’re guessing most people in Birmingham aren’t used to needing a parka and snow boots.
Charleston, South Carolina
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: .5 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: Any snow
On the beach, palm trees were covered with a thick crust of ice while locals and tourists built snowmen on the beach. Everything, of course, was closed — even before the first sight of a snowflake. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley determined the weather a FEMA State of Emergency. You sure about that?
New Orleans, Louisiana
Average Annual Amount Of Snowfall: 0 inches
Amount of Snow required for a snow day: Any snow
A rare winter storm at the end of January brought some of the first snow many NOLA residents had ever seen in their hometown. Roads and beaches were iced over, and the government was closed. Still, this city may be the biggest winter wimps, but they are certainly are tougher than anyone when it comes to hurricanes.
