The good news is that we got about 5-6 inches of snow last night(at least up in Mount Pocono), the bad news is that it is raining. Schools have been closed for the day and events canceled, but that is to be expected with winter in the Poconos. I’m a person with the belief that winter should be winter, fall should be fall, etc. when it comes to the weather.
Snow in the fall (Early October) – it happens almost every year and catches me, my plants and my pumpkins off-guard. Snow in the Spring – just when you’re starting to open the windows and get fresh air in, and start your planting for the year.
But the award for worst “weather that shouldn’t occur out of season” is…Rain the in the Winter(December-January).
1. It’s heavy and makes shoveling very difficult.
2. It increases the chance of flooding because there is usually snow already on the ground that the rain is melting.
3. It can be very unsafe because at some point it is inevitable that it will freeze up.
Have you ever tried to shovel 6 inches of snow with a thick layer of ice on top?
Have you ever been walking on snow and slipped and injured yourself due to a thick layer of ice beneath the snow.
I have done both and it is not fun! So as I watch the 6+ inches of snow that has accumulated in the past week slowly melt away I think about that it is going to bring once it refreezes in the next day or two.
Please be careful – when there is ice underneath the snow it is almost impossible to make traction with the ground and because you can’t see it and that makes it extremely dangerous.
Shovel now! The best time to shovel in a situation like this is during the day while it is a bit warmer and the snow is soft. If it refreezes and you’re trying to shovel later tonight you’ll be fighting against a few inches of snow/ice that will be almost impossible to get through. Even worse if it stays frozen, which is always a possibility, you might have a solid layer of ice on the ground til Spring!
Enjoy the day and be safe! The kids are out of school, and although the rain doesn’t make sledding/outdoor activities and option, you can still take advantage of making it a fun filled day.
Hot cocoa with extra marshmallows, a movie and board games are some of my family’s favorite ways to pass time on a cold, rainy, winter messy day like today. I hope you enjoy yours as well.
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