Editorial

Wild winter marches on

Posted 2/16/16

“If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes.”

Variations of this witticism – often cited as originating with Mark Twain, despite the lack of a formal record to …

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Editorial

Wild winter marches on

Posted

“If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes.”

Variations of this witticism – often cited as originating with Mark Twain, despite the lack of a formal record to that effect – are common in countless places beyond our corner of the globe. Weather, no matter where one may be, remains a mysterious and unpredictable force in many ways, even to those who devote their lives to its study.

But while New England can claim no monopoly over an often-tumultuous climate, residents of this region well know the truth behind the apocryphal Twain quip. February, now just more than halfway through, has provided enough evidence of this on its own.

Just two weeks ago, on Feb. 1, temperatures in Providence reached a high of 66 degrees. On Valentine’s Day, as a deep freeze swept over the region, T.F. Green Airport recorded a low of -9 degrees, breaking the previous record of -7 on Feb. 14, 1979.

The wild vacillation was set to continue at mid-week. Following the arrival of snow, sleet and rain starting late Monday, highs in the 50s were expected by Tuesday. The warm-up, however, was expected to bring with it strong winds, and perhaps even a thunderstorm.

For the luckiest among us, the weekend’s arctic blast was little more than an excuse to spend hours under blankets in the warm confines of home. Thousands of others struggled with overtaxed heating systems, frozen pipes and drained car batteries, leading to long days for plumbing businesses and AAA dispatchers.

For emergency responders – particularly firefighters – such extreme conditions make an already dangerous job even more precarious. We extend our thanks to those who worked through the conditions to keep our communities safe.

For the most vulnerable among us, the weekend’s weather was nothing short of life threatening. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency hosted warming centers across the state for those in need of an escape from the freeze. The House of Hope CDC provided for a record number of homeless at Harrington Hall in Cranston and St. Paul’s Church in Pawtucket. Countless of community members checked in on elderly and disabled neighbors and loved ones. Those who worked to keep those most in need sheltered and safe also deserve our thanks.

Winter’s far from over, although spring’s not too far off. Let’s hope we’ve seen the worst of it this year – and, if we haven’t, that we can muster the patience to wait the proverbial few minutes for the arrival of nicer days.

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