Know As You Go…A hash tag to information of road conditions

#KnowAsYouGo

      I started a hash tag to reminding and informing others of the issues on the roadway that I had come across; in the attempts to have others to do the same. It continues to be more about personal experiences in planning and navigating the roadways during inclement weather. I started using it on Facebook, and then linked my Skype account to pass it onto Facebook. It was to suggest to others to plan ahead for upcoming weather conditions, and how bad the roads were as I came across the dangers.

      It has been like a release of sorts, especially when I talked myself into rolling on in my assigned Semi Tractor Trailer. Like sitting in the cab of the truck, getting the weather report and road conditions before starting out has always been the main theme. But I have also inferred that people should actually listen and learn from the weather person, as they actually “educate” you on how the weather is acting, and the traffic is reacting. I then tend to point others who travel across the country for a living to always start looking west towards Washington State and California, and track what appears to be developing, and how it is traveling in a line towards the east. It is not a rule of thumb, but a guideline to help know when the storm will reach the areas a driver will travel. Each day before you start out, you learn to “gauge” the path of a storm and how many days or hours before it affects your area.

      For the people living on the east coast this can be a four day activity done simply each morning, and as a routine. As a storm rolls from Washington State, it appears to travel south east and grows like it’s own entity. Taking in consideration the jet stream that may push it further north or south, the weather path seems to have a life cycle in spurts, where it grows in some areas, becomes weaker in others, and begins to grow again. Sometimes it looks like it may coming right for your location, but by watching how the jet stream  of highs and lows compete against each other, sometimes a storm diverts right around and passed your location.

The Weatherman Is Teaching You

      Over the decades, the weather has been forecasted from a mater of days to a full weeks prediction. In same ways, the old statement that the weatherman is always wrong seems to fade, except for those who are “hoping” for those good old days. But with extreme weather periods, having the best information has already saved lives, especially by those who actually comprehended lessons the weather person continues to convey. Not only have they made it more personable in conversation, but they actually show you the actual planned events a storm will take by graphs and weather maps. All of this is in the makings of your own continuing education in the “school of hard knocks”. And still, actually putting it into your routine of planning is still totally up to you.

      From Fall To Winter

      I actually paused to consider whether the seasons should start with the beginning of any given Calendar year, but with this blog being written in the mid part of December, going back a few months and into the future was a good place for me to start; besides, the official start of Winter is December 21st, of every year. Still it seems that I would have felt more comfortable going as far back as June, since it is inherent in me to reflect on the beginnings of “Tornado” season, once marked as June 30th and through November 30th. But the is an El Nino to consider this year, which means tornado can continue through the winter, and start up again in the Spring, with very little period of “quiet and calm” in the weather.

      With the official start of Winter on its way, the trees are finishing with their displays of color, and prepare to hibernate [creative writing], and bear their branches for the picturesque siting of ice on their branches, creating a winter wonderland to view. Well, then there is the downside to this wonderland, as so many now have to traverse through it. It appears that as the warm weather transforms from cooler evening to down-right cold nights, fog becomes an issue where waters (lakes, rivers, and streams) and valleys of wooded areas fight to keep the warm moisture against the change cold atmosphere. As the conditions progress, even a hint of fog can make to branches glisten in the mornings first light…a sign that the roadways may be slippery too.

Degrees of Weather Woes

      We all dream of that “White Christmas”, until we get to be delayed whether by mass transit, commuting, or flight. But, if you head the warnings of the weather forecast, you can start taking control of how bad the pains of winter will affect you. Although you may plan a trip to family from Wednesday through Sunday, and be ready for the workday, following the weather forecast, and deciding on when to leave might mean a shorter (or longer) stay than originally planned. It is the difference between sitting with coffee or cocoa at home or hotel as opposed to focusing how much further it is to the next rest area for a pit stop or even sleeping in an airport. And without constantly getting a minute by minute or hourly weather report, but planning on maybe a morning, midday, and evening weather report would help you change [or tweak] that ongoing travel plan…thus why I hash tag “Know As You Go”.

      I know that it is favorable to reserve tickets in advance, the commercial transits system loves that, but feeling your “locked” in to that reservation might have to become a changing of the times in the near future. Airports and train station don’t accommodate an extended stay for stragglers, and continue to ignore this hassle, when this is not a new event. Until then, planning your holiday might mean the attitude of you will get there when you get there. Honestly, the holiday rush is a hassle in itself, but learning to avoid or curb much of the hassle gives you time to enjoy that wonderland view, and where you plan on it.

      Depending on where you plan to be, getting a “one-way” ticket has always been an option. And, with technology growing past that infancy, many office and cubical personnel can work wherever they are. Of course, part of this depends on communicating this to the employer, but if working from home is an option, then working from a guests house, hotel, and wherever there is Wi-Fi or an internet communication, work can be virtually anywhere…of course the spouse and kids need to understand that their vacation may have been extended, but Monday is Monday, and there is a job to do.

      I made that sound so easy, but there is also the change in ones own ability to focus in unplanned surrounding. For News people, writers, bloggers, and truck drivers, this becomes a change by force, as it is part of their work environment. But to think that you will be able to work at guests home full of family with the same focus and intensity as if you were actually in your office takes time to develop. Separating yourself from the ongoing activities brings out the kids in us, where we really wanted to stay included, and as a trucking term, “switching gears” from the party event to the workforce is a state of development in ones own character.Even schools will actually transform where those sick at home or on vacation may be able to not completely lose a school day, with conferencing and webcasting became something that is starting to be proficient, with the goal to master. Oddly, for those not involved in office activities, you might find yourself trying to let your kids listen to the class exercise remotely, and need to keep yourself occupied.

Weather Online – Getting The Big Picture

      I cannot sell you on the best weather app, nor do I wish to start infringing or favoring on the rights of other businesses, but for the most part, except for their navigation and appearance, weather forecasts and maps are so informative these days, that as long as you stay curious, you actually can see that these sights not only show you the past and future projections of inclement weather. They also include pages of tracking temperature changes, cloud formations (good for pilots), and rain-snow amounts. Other links will show you current or forecasted conditions of fog, road (traffic), and flooding conditions. Many weather based websites that primarily report on the weather also include those video webcasts in 30 second to 3 minute increments…along with some entertaining weather highlights and follies. And if you download their apps, they come with weather alerts in your area, which you can change as you go.

      For me, I am getting to educate myself in looking at the various links that include traffic, fog, rain/snow conditions and amounts, and temperature conditions, and then surmising all of it…just like I saw the weather person do on television. It takes time to decide on what I need, and when I need it, such as fog and temperature conditions at night. Knowing how it is forecasted that the temperatures will “roll in” like the rains and snow, lets me know when the road surface may change from wet to slippery, and most important icy. As a practice, I try to trek around cities and merging interstates during rush hours, but even if I cannot, I know how to plan on knowing if the delay will keep me with an on time appointments.

      Typically, I start out by locating where I am on the weather map, and view my current conditions. Then, I zoom out to see how the weather id tracking, and then zoom out more to see the national picture, and reason out how the weather will change in the next hours and days. For me, this still need to become a daily activity, but I do focus on it as an important tool when previous weather reports have warned me of storms, severe winds and flooding, and snow. By zooming out in sections I can develop my own expectations, and plan on when to park, and even start out, based on the time, traffic, road conditions, and the weather.

Deciding When To Include Supplies

      Just like those who go camping, to the beach, slumber parties, and even holiday events, you plan on the apparel, self entertaining materials and devices, and even snacks. Learning to know the weather in advance may involve planning on self preservation, like camping, to the beach, and slumber parties. Although the trick has always been trying to travel light, a blanket for each person, along with water and snacks, might become the exception to the rule, should you get stranded in traffic, mass transit, or an extended stay over. Learning to know the weather in advance will help you plan and predict the possibility of a delay, and let you decide where you plan to unexpectedly wait out the weather conditions.

To Be Continued

      Much of this blog was based on the current season, and others will follow for the future seasonal change. If I were to wonder how informative I wanted to blog, and be a complete and fully informative writer, the blog would become a book, and would take weeks to complete. Over time, I hope that my blogs will be more detailed, just like getting to tease you with the interest in the weather will be something you will need to challenge yourself with. Over time, both of us will improve in our own areas, and I will do better than just tease you with a thought, and you might find making the weather an important key to your lifestyle, and know as you go. Happy traveling, and stay safe, healthy, and informed.