Snow, ice and bitter cold temperatures affect our day-to-day lives — with the snowier-than-average winter we’re having here, we know this all too well. And according to local meteorologists, we’re likely to be reminded of this once again, since the weekend forecast predicts a few more inches of snow.

But when winter weather strikes, it also places myriad complex infrastructure and social issues — like frequent and long-lasting power outages and why some neighborhoods in the city and the county seem to be tended to before, or better than, others — under a microscope.

This week, Charlottesville Tomorrow reporter Erin O’Hare joined Soundboard podcast host Sarah Howorth to talk about winter weather.

Their 20-minute conversation covers a lot of ground, including:

  • The curious reason why the Charlottesville area buckles under winter weather
  • Why power outages happen and what goes into getting the power back on
  • Inequities in weather-treating and weather response in city and county neighborhoods
  • Community resources for weathering winter storms
  • A preview of some of the questions about the national and statewide power grids that Erin is working to answer in an upcoming story.

Listen here:

The storm preparedness resources mentioned toward the end of the conversation are:

The Charlottesville-Albemarle-UVA Office of Regional Emergency Management, a one-stop shop for information on warming stations, roadway hazards, utility outages, potable water resources, and more. The site is updated regularly and tailored to the community’s needs. The information on the website can also be accessed via phone at 434-297-8415.

Southerly’s Jan. 20 report, “How to prepare for a winter storm: A roundup of useful tips, stories, and resources for Southerners.”

Follow Erin’s coverage of these issues by subscribing to our email newsletter and keeping up on Twitter. Have a question about existing infrastructure and the built environment? Have a story about what’s working — or not — in your neighborhood? Email her at eohare AT cvilletomorrow DOT org.