There is great news for those who love the snow: it’s about to arrive in a big way across parts of Western New York and along the Great Lakes. Forecasters are calling for heavy, wet snow developing in lake-effect snow squall bands over the next few days.
Think back to when you were a kid and how excited you were at just the thought of snow. We have four kids, and the very idea of snow has them dreaming about snowmen, hot chocolate, and spending hours outside enjoying whatever Mother Nature delivers. It brings back memories of staring out the window, waiting for enough snow to beg Mom and Dad to let us run outside while it was still falling.
Snow as an Adult: Love, Hate, or Somewhere in Between?
Fast forward to adulthood, and those feelings may have changed a bit. But for many, the thrill of snow is still there and count me in that group. While I don’t love driving through lake-effect bands, I absolutely enjoy what comes after: snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, walking in the quiet woods, and taking in how beautiful Western New York becomes after a snowfall.
The People Who Get to Work When the Snow Starts
But not everyone gets to sit back and enjoy the snowfall. Some folks have to grab their work boots and get moving the moment flakes start flying. This Thanksgiving, it’s worth stopping to appreciate the men and women who clear snow for all of us.
While massive amounts of snow pile up on the roads we depend on, the same is happening in driveways, parking lots, and walkways. These areas are cleared by people who often leave their families in the middle of the night, sometimes in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner, to make sure others can get where they need to go.
Think about the crews behind those amber lights flashing in your driveway at 3 a.m. That’s your plow driver making sure you can get to work, visit family, or simply get out of the house safely.
The Reality of Plowing in Western New York
Driving a plow truck is exhausting, especially in Western New York. The moment a plow contractor finishes their route, the snow piles up again—and they’re right back at it.
For those servicing higher elevations in the Southtowns, drifting and blowing snow can make the job feel never ending. And if that isn’t tough enough, plow drivers also deal with impatient drivers who follow too closely, pass dangerously, or won’t wait while a plow backs into a driveway.
Read More: Humongous Halo Circles The Sun Over Western New York [PHOTO]
A Thanksgiving Reminder: Patience and Gratitude
Maybe this Thanksgiving, we can pause for a moment and reflect on the work being done to keep us safe and moving throughout the winter. It’s easy to want the plow truck to arrive right now when your driveway is buried. But when the same truck is clearing your neighbor’s driveway or a business down the road, patience seems to disappear.
Take a breath. Appreciate the men and women out there in the dark, in the cold, and in the worst conditions—maintaining their equipment, pushing it to its limits, and doing their best to keep Western New York going.
Hats Off to Our Plow Crews
A huge thank you to the men and women who operate plows for our towns, villages, counties, and New York State. We appreciate everything you do. And as New York State continues to remind drivers: Don’t crowd the plow and let them work so we can all get where we’re going safely.
As for us, we’ll be praying for snow and hoping for plenty of outdoor fun this winter.
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Gallery Credit: Clay Moden