A reader in New York sent this in today, and it’s not that far from the truth. Every Monday for the past three or four weeks we’ve had a snowstorm. Often with enough wind to create blizzard conditions. But each weekend has been sunny and warm, with everyone out doing yard work.
Two weeks ago, the local meteorologists were beside themselves warning of the horrible storm that was to hit that Monday. High winds, blizzard conditions, up to 16″ of snow. And the driving. The driving would be awful. Probably impossible. Finally, by the middle of the evening Sunday, with only a few flakes in the air, businesses and schools started announcing closures for the next day. The first snow day of the season! …
… and you know where this is going, right?
Yes, it snowed Monday. Quite a bit. But as warm as it had been, the roads weren’t all that bad. No need for a snow day after all. Thousands of really angry working parents had to scramble to deal with their out-of-school kids.
The next Sunday night there were, again, reports of a snowstorm due in on Monday. Subdued reports. Lots of tentative maybe’s and possibly’s. Every hedge in the dictionary. And of course … you know what happened. The schools stayed open but the roads were awful. Nobody could go anywhere. And it kept snowing Tuesday. And Wednesday. Even so, it was all gone by Saturday.
Aren’t you glad you aren’t a meteorologist in Colorado? Or someone trying to maintain the turf on the local soccer fields? Or a baseball team trying to get your spring games played (I think the Rockies have been snowed out at least three times this month.)
Yesterday being Monday, naturally it snowed again (the seventh snowstorm since March 1). Maybe 6″ in my yard. But by noon today, the streets and sidewalks were clear. Have I mentioned how I love not having to shovel this stuff? I just sit in my robe, sip my coffee, and watch it melt.
Best of all, our snowpack is up to a 90% average statewide. In Estes Park, they’ve been measuring their snowfall in feet. Two feet two weeks ago. Two feet last week. It’s been a great month for moisture. Hard to believe that last year on April 6 I was writing about the new aspens just planted in my yard. It was already warm and dry and we went right into summer from there.
I have to admit that I did a bit of a double-take when yesterday’s news reported heavy snow falling from Colorado to Minnesota. I’ve always said that extremes one way today in the weather will undoubtedly result in extremes the other way tomorrow. I think that we may need to apply that logic to the yearly weather as well!
It’s been quite a ride. I can understand extremes from month to month or year to year. But I’m getting whiplash from these day to day changes we’ve had. Yes, it snowed hard yesterday. But at noon today, when I left for the supermarket, there were two kids down the street playing basketball in shorts and T-shirts. Supposed to be in the 70s for the weekend. Whee!
Yeah, we were up around there today too, but your “leftovers” are moving in the wee hours tonight. No snow in the forecast, fortunately. Just a 30 degree or so temperature drop and lots of rain.
Between you, friends, and TV weather, I’ve been keeping up with the snow – what a year! Soak it up ground – you deserve it! (wildflowers totally freaked out or still hiding?)
Best illustration ever!
I haven’t gone looking for wildflowers yet. As I recall, they peak in June. They’l love this moisture!
Ha! Love that graphic!
I am glad I’m not a meteorologist around here..the snow forecasts are especially tough since you never really know where that low might end up. I do find the springtime weather amusing though. It’s so varied
In that respect, it’s much like my native Oklahoma, of which Will Rogers said, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Only this month, Colorado has made Oklahoma look like an amateur.