This early winter-spring weather we are all experiencing this month and most likely next month, produces a lot of anxiety for some residents. It is surprising that two segments of our year-round community members, who have spent the majority of their lives here are, the seniors in high school and the seniors in the older part of the population. Both have strong opinions about the coming days of May, particularly the days closest to summer where we could continue to get snow or rain. Long time residents, especially those who are born here, should know better. Attempting to guess about what the next few months will bring during these days of climate change are impossible.
The younger contingent of weather-watchers or those who were most looking forward to kind of precipitation and the resulting amount might have been promised with their choice of university or trade school. Thes kids are sure it will be warm, sunny and not too windy by the time the ceremony comes around. Snowbirds are all home by this time anticipating perennial sunshine and warm weather, as well. All across the country, predictable weather patterns are being affected by climate change. Increased temperatures or weather events such as thundersnow, bomb cyclone, rainstorms, landslides, and wildfires are decimating some of our country’s most visited tourist spots. Soon-to-be graduates may have counted on the beautifully enticing photos from around the campus to make their final decisions about going on with their education. If they are planning to participate in the outdoor sports available: football, tennis, track, golf, equestrian sports or rodeo, they might look for the schools that offer the indoor arenas as well.
Many “Snowbirds” have already arrived home only to be faced with difficult weather patterns moving into the areas of the country, even on the way home. If they came home this month as is their usual routine, they might have come through awful weather to come back to even more terrible weather. Those of us who still consult the Farmers Almanac are already sorely disappointed, even though we have been teased off and on through these early spring months with summer weather. One day it has required putting on one’s heaviest winter apparel just for a few minutes to work outside or do errands. The next day no coat may be needed for no flurry of snow or rain is in sight.
“Could have told ya!” one old-timer will tell you.
“Oh, go ahead, say you know it is new weather now, will ya?”
“Oh go on, I don’t believe it is climate change, ya know?”
“Pppshaw…” another will chime in.
I miss my favorite local description of the wild weather that presents itself in early-spring every year. No old-timer is left that will refer to it, so I miss it because I am not sure it could be described in any other way.
“Jes’ an ole equinoxer, that’s all.
By DOLLY VISCARDI