As one who simply deplores winter, even in non-pandemic times, these first three months of the year are a test of survival.

What that means is each day we get through without true winter-like weather puts us closer to the end of what can often be a brutal 90-day stretch before there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Consider today one of those days and so far things have been pretty good for us.  How many mornings have we had to scrape our windshield or let the car run with the heat and defroster on before starting our commute?

It doesn’t look like we have any of those in the near future and The Weather Channel forecast for the remainder of the month doesn’t show any bitter temperatures or major storms on the horizon although that can change quickly.

If we get through January without any big snow and ice storms or extended cold snaps that would be great and of course get us a bit closer to the end of winter.  Yes I am aware that many of our biggest storms and blizzards seem to have come in February in recent years but I’m looking at the glass being half-full and not half-empty.

Here is another reason for optimism: days are getting longer.  We have already gained nearly 10 minutes of daylight since the first day of winter and will add another 40 minutes by the end of the month. <ore good news.  Plus in terms of things to look forward to it’s only:

  • 37 days until Valentine’s Day
  • 58 days until the scheduled date of the Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade which ironically was the last big thing before we went on lockdown. Of course this is very much in doubt
  • 71 days until spring arrives
  • 86 days until Easter

Believe me when I say this unusual sense of optimism from me will end once winter wreaks havoc on us which it will at some point. Let’s just hope it’s later than sooner.

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