Written by admin on 26 January 2011
We know that hurricanes have names. Did you know that winter storms have names or nicknames, too? It seems that winter storm names are a local thing. Several name lists have been adopted by different regions across the country.
Like tropical storms and hurricanes, names of winter storms alternate gender as they head down the alphabet. Often, there have been themes to how a storm is named. Last year (2009 – 2010), in Connecticut, winter storms were named after famous scientists. This year, according to Fox 11 online, the names for winter storms are:
- Aiden
- Bella
- Connor
- Dana
- Ethan
- Francesca
- Gabe
- Hailey
- Isaiah
- Jessica
- Kiefer
- Lauren
- Matthew
Aiden, Bella and Connor have already been used. I wonder how many on the list will find their way into the history books this winter.
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Written by admin on 24 January 2011
Winter, this year, started out mild and calm. It quickly turned into a beast we haven’t seen in many years. Christmas was cold and crisp but not white, only to be followed by a blizzard on December 26th that dropped over two feet of snow with drifts exceeding five feet in many areas.
As it was winter break, schools were already closed and many families had already planned vacation time. For others it was a challenge. Businesses were closed. Roads were impassable. Storm crews worked overtime yet the storm won the battle over the streets. Two days later many streets were still impassable.
That scene was repeated in the first week of January.
To date a measurable snow storm has hit this area about once a week with accumulations now exceeding 60 inches. Our normal for a full winter is about 55 inches and there are three more months left for winter storms.
It’s not just snow that has wreaked havoc. Adding to the already difficult situation an ice storm dropped four inches of snow and over an inch of frozen rain last week, once again shutting schools and businesses.
Kids love snow days, but rarely look at the consequences of too much of a good thing. For every snow day, schools have to be open one more day during or at the end of the school year. Too many snow days and the mid winter break is taken away. Go beyond that and days are added to the end of school year calendar. But even that can be difficult since many school districts have a June 30 required end of school date. What’s left? Saturdays. Yup, if there are too many snow days, kids will be going to school on Saturday to make up the lost time.
Parents fall into a precarious situation. Snow days mean kids are home from school. That leaves many parents in a dilemma. Do they go to work or stay home to watch the kids? Friends and neighbors are good to a point, but it becomes a burden on them, too.
Business owners are finding this winter to be a mixed blessing. Those selling winter related items are selling out. Other business owners are falling victim to zero sales days when they can least afford it. While this Christmas season was good for most retailers, they need January sales to jump start the new year. Being forced to shut at least one day every week since Christmas has hurt the financials of many businesses.
How will this winter turn out? Even the forecasters don’t know. As in past years we’ll get through it and we’ll persevere.
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