For the past few weeks, there has been a decent temperature in the air, where rain dominated instead of snow, and it was warm on New Year’s Eve.
The forecast calls for snow and for winter to make its grand second act in a few days. I can only hope that I make it through this weekend warm, cozy, and healthy.
It is not my imagination. After the first third of October in which it was warm enough to require an air conditioner, the temperatures plummeted to lows far too early for the time of year. We had snow in October, and snow that stuck to the ground and accumulated in November. In December, the first tentative snows have been replaced by January and February-like squalls, and I begin to mutter as another season of shoveling begins full blast, without seemingly a sputter.
I feel completely robbed of the 60 degree days that were supposed to be a prelude to the end of the season.
It is August 31, 2018, and the leaves are floating downward as the trees are turning colors rapidly.
Despite the heat, I am now certain there will be an early fall.
It is the end of July, which is the waning part of summer, but when the season is still strong. In spite of the humidity and the rain, though, I see where the leaves on the trees are already beginning to grow slightly dull. Is this merely because I am growing older and more observant, or does this mean we are headed for an early fall?
I will not miss the oppressive temperatures of earlier in the month, but I am not ready for winter, either.
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In other news, today was an absolutely beautiful day in terms of weather.
It is the first of May, and all around me are the sights of early spring blooms, tulips and fading daffodils. There are far too many healthy trees that still look like skeletons, with some pale green leaves finally emerging from their buds.
I can confirm that this lack of green is not my imagination from looking at photos from the past. Last year and most of the years before now, even when the temperatures dipped, by May the trees had burst into verdant splendor. Instead, it seems more like the end of March than the beginning of May in terms of the bloom.
There are signs on the ground that spring is here. Dandelions, albeit young and yellow, dot lawns and fields. The weeds begin to grow tall.
Soon the woods will be green again, but to see a skyline of sticks on 80-degree days and ample sunlight is a contrast.
This morning there was snow in the air, and much like the snow on Tuesday, hovered in the air, but melted on the ground.
Even though some of the cherry blossoms have begun to bloom while tulips and daffodils sprout, many of the buds are only now opening on trees, while the air itself remains cool. Winter does not want to let go of the past, but I am grateful for the drawn out farewell to the cold. It will be blazing hot before I know it and I want to remember wearing my boots in April for the last time this year.
Here is to hoping that the pollen does not burst forth all at once.
In the past few weeks, I have commented how the weather is clear here and has been snowing elsewhere.
Now, it is snowing here. I should have been less haughty.
Again, a Nor’easter (or perhaps, a Northeaster) blankets the other side of the state with snow, while leaving this side of the state wet with flurries and cold with chilly air, but otherwise unscathed.
It is moments like these I am grateful to live in Pittsburgh.
It’s strange to think that at the moment of writing this post, the air outside is cold and the sun is shining, all while on the other side of the state cities are being battered by a winter storm. I thought that Western Pennsylvania would have to pay the debt to Mother Nature for all of the warm air and weather we have received in the past few weeks, but aside from flooding and landslides, we have been spared so far. There was a frightening wind last night, but that was all it did. It scared and caused alarm, but nothing more.
It is amazing that right as of this moment, I can see the blue sky, and aside from a power outage earlier this afternoon, there is nothing of note in terms of an event. I am thankful for the chilly, clear weather. Not everyone can see the sun at this moment.
