Meteorological Update From Dymphna

We are in the midst of a Winter Weather Warning (also known as Crystallized Climate Change) here at Schloss Bodissey. That means I am watching big, fat flakes accumulating on everything — though the driveway is still clear. Prior to that, we awoke this morning to heavy rains. It is our good fortune that there was never any period of transitional ice. Thank heavens!

Why am I talking about the weather, you ask? Because this heavy wet snow may well eventuate in a power outage. Should that happen we would have no way to tell you why when, once again, no one seems to be home.

If the power does go out, I’m confident it won’t be for long. Our rural electric cooperative is exceptionally good at handling these kinds of weather ‘events’; if we do go out, it won’t be for long. And thanks to the generosity of our donors several years ago, we installed a gas cook stove so we can cook and have — thank heavens, again — hot coffee during the outage.

Yes, we are careful regarding the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning if we were to use the stove for heat. However, given how leaky our storm windows are, I’m not worried.

Here’s what NOAA says:

… Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1 am EST Friday…

• Hazard types… heavy wet snow.
• Accumulations… snow accumulation of 3 to 6 inches.
• Timing… late this afternoon and evening.
• Impacts… hazardous driving conditions due to snowfall.
• Power outages also possible due to the heavy snow.
• Winds… north 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
• Temperatures… falling into the lower 30s by evening.

This Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow will
cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and
limited visibilities… and use caution while driving.

The public is encouraged to report snowfall amounts to the
National Weather Service via email at [email protected]

Oh me. I do wish there were a way to magically bring back my grown-up children to the time when they were all about ten years old. What excitement! Lashings of hot cocoa. Wet snow suits and parkas everywhere! Loud laughter at the recall of sleds bouncing over the hidden bumps.

Somehow I’ll bet mothers with children of a certain age aren’t in any such fantasy land as I’ve just constructed. Instead, they’re wondering how long it will be before the roads are plowed and everyone is safely on the road back to their regular routines. And they would be right — I really only want that trip in The Way Back Machine to last for a few hours. I don’t want the extra laundry or the bored bickering, or the wet drippings all over the front hall…yet the memories remain…