The mild weather lasted just long enough for many of us to start taking it for granted, assuming we could scoot through the winter with only sweaters and rain boots to keep away the chill. Gone and blissfully forgotten were the biting winds, the wind chills, the blowing snow, the mornings crouched in frigid vehicles while our breaths frosted up the windows and our engines stuttered and groaned in protest. Block heaters were forgotten, dusty and unnecessary and we rejoiced. Somehow, we had skipped straight over winter and into sweet, sweet spring.
No longer, my friends.
Before we dwell on how frigid it has suddenly become, let's pause and reflect on the joy that was December.
According to 4 Wing Meterology climate statistics, December was lovely. It was warmer with less precipitation than both December 2010 and November 2011. In December 2010, there were 30.3 mm of precipitation but this December, there were only 9 mm. There was only one day with freezing precipitation.
In other words, we were spoiled rotten and now it's time to get back down to business: surviving another nasty winter.
With frigid temperatures sweeping in, it's time to unpack the mitts and scarves and start the hibernation process.
Less than a month until Groundhog Day, we're in the homestretch.
