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From fine powder to flakes that when put together can measure deep, snow falls in different form as the folks in the Northeast, and even in the higher elevations of Carter and Johnson counties, learned this past weekend.
Snow! That word with three consonants and one vowel has power. Just put snow in the forecast and people rush to the grocery store and stock up on food essentials such as bread and milk. It often is the reason schools close or open late.
It brings joy to kids, who like to spend the day making snow creatures and sledding. And, how about a snowball fight?
Our fascination with snow is rooted in centuries-old lore and modern-day fear; the lore of the wonder and beauty of it all, and the fear of, well, lots of things.
As an example of enduring tradition, one need look no further than the popularity of the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Dating back to 1792, the iconic handbook is still coveted for its winter weather forecasts. See the word snow in its pages and quiver with either childhood delight or curmudgeonly grumbling. Either way, the mysteries of snow — “Will it happen? How much?” — solidify the allure.
Snow brings out the salt trucks, the snow shovels, and the winter boots. There’s the fear of getting stranded, losing power, or being in an accident.
But, just as snow brings joy and sometimes fear, snow has character. Each flake is different, of course, no two crystals the same as most of us learned when young, but its broader personality is what dictates human responses. Ranging from powdery to slushy, sleet-like icy to grainy dots; each kind of snow brings dramatically different impacts, each the result of ever-so-slight temperature variations in the air, from ground level to miles above. As humans, we can hardly perceive the difference between, say, 33 degrees and 31, but for snow, that gap makes all the difference.
This past weekend, city road crews worked to make our roads safe…there are traces of salt on city streets, which were put down overnight Friday…just in case there was a measurable snow and it stuck.
When winter storms roll through, not everyone stays curled up in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa.
Before the first snowflakes hit the ground, employees of the City’s Public Works Department and the County’s Highway Department get moving and they often work around the clock in cold conditions to keeps the roads safe for travel. When the snow starts, they start.
The snowplow drivers aren’t the only ones who work in the winter cold and snow. So do the men who work on the garbage truck, postmen, firemen, and utility workers if they are called out. They work no matter what. Whether it’s raining or snowing, it doesn’t matter. They’re out there doing their jobs and in many instances keeping us safe.
When you see these workers out, thank them. It’s a thankless, but important job. Thank you fellows for the work you do.