Severe operating conditions

[Jun aka Pekto]

Amen to that, bro! Spent one winter season in Upstate NY (Albany County) and two winter seasons in the midwest (Chicago west suburbs). I did not have covered parking in both locations. I fared better in the midwest as my truck was able to go around in some light snow and I was more equipped to deal with the weather. Upstate NY winter is much worse compared to the midwest - its longer, the amount of snow is just horrendous, not to mention the much colder weather. It was a good thing we used Avis rentals in Upstate NY as I did not have much idea about cars back then.

Not just Upstate New York. We lived at the the eastern shore of Lake Ontario which is prone to lake-effect snow. It's not unusual to have a few hours of snow reach my waist. If there is snow, it's not too cold (30-20 deg F). It's the clear skies following the storm that are the coldest, usually below 0 deg F.

It's funny because when the temperature goes below -40 deg F, I can't start the car. But, once the sun comes up and warms the hood a bit, the car will start.

I lived at Rantoul, IL and Oklahoma City for a while. The snow isn't too bad. But, both areas are prone to freezing rain. If there's anything on the road I'm most scared of, it's freezing rain.

Chicago also gets lake-effect snow because of Lake Michigan. But, the wind direction would have to come from due north.