Hi Neighbor,
Remember the snowstorm predicted for January 6? If you don’t, it’s because it never occurred. It waited until earlier this week to approach being fulfilled. Nevertheless, the forecast called for snow. Area grocery stores were jammed, school was cancelled, streets were salted and everyone planned for a snow day. A real snow day with, you know, lots of snow. We got about an inch, hardly enough to substantiate days of advance snow-themed hype and the resulting grocery store alarm.
Usually I’m skeptical about weather predictions, finding them dependably undependable. I expected the odds of accurate, science-based forecasts would be higher. Based on the missing snow in our area earlier this month, I again conclude it’s anyone’s guess.
Despite my usual skepticism, this time I believed the prediction. It’s unusual for me. I neglected to employ my own hit or miss method of simply opening the door, stepping outside and looking up at the sky. Not sure why I bought the forecast hype this time. I even went so far as to join the mass grocery store invasion. I also texted our neighbors, inviting them to bring their kids to sled in our back yard which after a long, flat plateau is a primo sledding hill.
The snow barely arrived but the kids did. They were determined to try their best techniques on the light dusting we received. Bundled in many layers, it was obvious that the moms heard the weather report and dressed them accordingly, high boots covered snow pants with heads immobilized by layers of scarves. However, after 10 minutes of valiant efforts to attack the hill, everyone went home. In the snow’s defense, the kids did get several decent runs before the grass acted as nature’s brakes.
It seems that years ago, a call for a snow day seemed to be more predictably a snow day. We’d get at least several inches of snow that substantiated school cancellations and preparatory grocery store runs. It was cold inside the house and long underwear and wool sweaters were dug out of closets and drawers. A scavenger-hunt for the right size batteries to fit flashlights anticipated the electricity going out. But sledding lasted for hours. The snow was packed down from use, freezing and becoming increasingly slick as the sunlight faded. Good times.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not wishing for more snow than we received this month. I’m grateful for meteorologists undependability now that shoveling has replaced the joy of sledding for me. But I can’t believe I bought the extreme weather hype when I could simply walk outside, look up and make my own inaccurate predictions.
Winter wondering,
Jane
yes, the past 30 to 40 years snow is not like it use to be. The forecasters do their best to predict and we all get crazy running around but on time we will not believe! that will will the time when we have no food in the fridge, our heat isn’t working properly, clothes aren’t laundered, blankets aren’t covering our beds or sofas’ and we can’t get out the front door bc snow will be high! I
View moreyes, the past 30 to 40 years snow is not like it use to be. The forecasters do their best to predict and we all get crazy running around but on time we will not believe! that will will the time when we have no food in the fridge, our heat isn’t working properly, clothes aren’t laundered, blankets aren’t covering our beds or sofas’ and we can’t get out the front door bc snow will be high! I think i will at least list to the weather people bc i don’t know about you but my luck isn’t so good! take care everyone and be safe
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