Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

CEDAR SPRINGS – The wait is over! Winter has made its official, blustery entrance into Cedar Springs as the season’s first accumulating snowfall coated the town in a fresh blanket of white. The picturesque scene, however, arrived with a gusty reminder of nature’s power, with winds reaching up to 61 mph throughout the day, whipping the new snow into swirling drifts.

While the view from a cozy window is lovely, conditions on the roads are quickly becoming a different story. The combination of fresh powder and dropping temperatures is already making for tricky travel.

The Kent County Road Commission is out in force, but they are urging residents to understand that clearing every street takes time. Roadways are becoming slick, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and less-traveled side streets.

As we all reacquaint ourselves with winter driving, this first significant snowfall reminds us to adjust our habits behind the wheel. The key to a safe winter season on the road is patience. With travel expected to become more challenging as this snow settles in for the long haul, now is the perfect time for a refresher on safe winter driving.

Here are a couple of essential tips to keep in mind:

• Increase Your Following Distance: The single best way to avoid a fender-bender on a slick road is to give yourself more space. Doubling or even tripling your normal following distance from the car ahead will provide you with the crucial extra seconds needed to brake safely and gently.

• Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Posted speed limits are designed for dry, ideal conditions. On snow and ice, they are irrelevant.

• Reduce your speed significantly to maintain control. Remember to accelerate gently to avoid spinning your tires and to brake early and softly to prevent skidding.

• Make sure headlights are on during daytime inclement weather, and keep your gas tank as full as possible in case of unexpected delays

• Stay at least 200 feet behind active snowplows and keep children far away from the road’s edge.

• Monitor the forecast to prepare for shifting weather.

Meteorologists predict that temperatures will remain cold, meaning this new layer of snow is likely the foundation for our winter landscape for the foreseeable future, with more accumulation expected.

Of course this snow is not all bad. The arrival of snow also signals the start of other beloved local pastimes. Soon enough, the sledding hills will be busy, (let’s not forget the big hill behind Hilltop!), snowmen will begin to pop up in yards, stockings will be hung with care, and the town will take on that quiet hush that only a fresh snowfall can bring. So, let’s brew a cup of hot Red Flannel Coffee Co. coffee, crawl into your warmest red flannels, and when you head out on the roads, remember to take it slow. Winter has arrived, Cedar Springs!