Well the weather in the Western Great Lakes region continues to be the big story. Here in Wausau, WI the average high and low temperatures for March 3rd should be 34 and 15. However, this morning the recorded low temperature was -18 with an anticipated high of 9. Numerous friends on social media even posted pictures of thermometers showing -27 to -32 in some rural areas. We now have had below zero temperatures for the past 9 days and 46 of the 72 days this winter. Not to mention, the overall average temperature for this winter has been 6.5 degrees, and on top of it all, we beat the total snowfall record last week. So, where does this winter stack up in weather history. I took a look back at some of the epic winter events in Wisconsin History to bring some comparisons.
The majority of large storm systems have passed by to the South this year, dumping 6-12" of snow in the Omaha to New York path on multiple occasions. But history shows that we weren't always that lucky. On this date in 1881, much of Central and Southern Wisconsin received 2 to 4 feet of snow in a 3 day period. This storm was accompanied by high winds, creating recorded drifts to 20 feet. A storm like this validates your parents claims of being able to touch the power lines on their walks to school. And, speaking of the power lines, this week in 1976 produced one of the worst natural disasters in Wisconsin history. A devastating ice storm hit Southern and Eastern Wisconsin for a two day stretch. Ice built up on tree limbs, and power/telephone lines to a diameter of 5". The 60 mph winds that accompanied the ice downed trees and utility poles, knocking out power to more than 100,000 homes. Some rural areas were without power for 10 days. And, as history shows, we have had 7 major winter storms in March in the past 20 years. That information coupled with the Farmer's Almanac's prediction of 30+ inches for this March, may indicate the worst is yet to come.
For those that are more concerned with the cold temperatures instead of the snow, here are few years you may not have wanted to participate in either. Of the major weather station cities, Wausau tops the list of consecutive subzero days, with 14 days. From January 2 through January 15 of 1912, Wausau never saw a temperature above 0 deg F. That same timeframe also set records for every other major weather station in Wisconsin. Mid to late January in 1994 and 1996 also had major cold snaps where we saw 6 consecutive days below 0 deg F. 2013-2014 has only produced a streak of 2 consecutive days. While I'm sure this data does nothing to ease the pain of a long, cold, snowy winter, what I hope it does is to help put things into perspective. It could always be worse, the only thing you can do is make the most of what you have.
"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come." - Robert H. Schuller
The majority of large storm systems have passed by to the South this year, dumping 6-12" of snow in the Omaha to New York path on multiple occasions. But history shows that we weren't always that lucky. On this date in 1881, much of Central and Southern Wisconsin received 2 to 4 feet of snow in a 3 day period. This storm was accompanied by high winds, creating recorded drifts to 20 feet. A storm like this validates your parents claims of being able to touch the power lines on their walks to school. And, speaking of the power lines, this week in 1976 produced one of the worst natural disasters in Wisconsin history. A devastating ice storm hit Southern and Eastern Wisconsin for a two day stretch. Ice built up on tree limbs, and power/telephone lines to a diameter of 5". The 60 mph winds that accompanied the ice downed trees and utility poles, knocking out power to more than 100,000 homes. Some rural areas were without power for 10 days. And, as history shows, we have had 7 major winter storms in March in the past 20 years. That information coupled with the Farmer's Almanac's prediction of 30+ inches for this March, may indicate the worst is yet to come.
For those that are more concerned with the cold temperatures instead of the snow, here are few years you may not have wanted to participate in either. Of the major weather station cities, Wausau tops the list of consecutive subzero days, with 14 days. From January 2 through January 15 of 1912, Wausau never saw a temperature above 0 deg F. That same timeframe also set records for every other major weather station in Wisconsin. Mid to late January in 1994 and 1996 also had major cold snaps where we saw 6 consecutive days below 0 deg F. 2013-2014 has only produced a streak of 2 consecutive days. While I'm sure this data does nothing to ease the pain of a long, cold, snowy winter, what I hope it does is to help put things into perspective. It could always be worse, the only thing you can do is make the most of what you have.
"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come." - Robert H. Schuller
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