If the past few weeks have been any indication of how winter in Iowa will be this year, then students better be ready to somehow find a way to stuff winter jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves into their already small, book-filled locker.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, “Winter will be milder and drier than normal, with near- to above-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will be in early to mid- and mid- to late January and early February. The snowiest periods will be in mid- to late November, mid-January, and early February.” Given the three weekends in a row the Quad Cities has been pummeled with snow, it appears the Almanac gave a pretty good prediction of snowiest periods so far. Although, surely the community is hoping the prediction for the coldest periods to be false, because how much colder can it get than -20?
What is an Iowa winter? Every year seems to take a different path, sometimes no snowfall with no sub-zero temperatures, and other times three feet in one snowfall with sub-zero temperatures to follow. Teleah Thomas, senior, says, “Iowa is just like that: unpredictable.” Some contribute the weird patterns to global warming, but some say it’s just winter in the midwest, with a mind of it’s own.
Even though the forecast is just a prediction, it’s nice to know what Iowans have gotten themselves into for the winter. With PV’s parking lots filled up, it’s obvious that a lot of students are driving to school. The weather conditions contribute to their driving; some of them having only been driving for six months with a license.
All of those senior drivers know the shock of sliding on ice for the first time, or stomping the gas pedal to escape the snow under the tires and find concrete. The weather creates a dangerous environment for the entire community, especially school areas where there are a lot of inexperienced drivers.
The only way to make the best of these sub-zero temperatures is to have a positive outlook and find fun things to do with friends inside, unless they are willing to sacrifice warmth for sledding, snowboarding, or skiing.
