Perhaps, when Puxatony Phil emerged from his hiding place this past February 2, someone should have shot him (with an elephant dart and gently set him back to sleep in his nest of twigs and leaves, of course). With reports coming in of record snowfalls across the country, many of us are really ready for this winter to end!
Much of the country has suffered serious winter weather woes, from the bitter temperatures in the Northeast and Central U.S. to the freezing rains and sleet experienced by Southern states from Texas to Georgia.
In fact, many news channels are projecting that the 2013-2014 Season may turn out to be one of the worst on record. Here are some snow stats from the major cities:
Philadelphia is in the midst of their 3rd snowiest winter ever with a current total of 58.7 inches and counting.
New York is reporting the 7th snowiest winter at 57.1 inches.
Chicago is digging out of its fifth snowiest season with 66.8 inches.
Detroit is coming in with its 3rd largest snowfall report of 76.4 inches.
Washington, D.C., is reporting that their 15.2 inches of snow reported at Reagan National Airport is roughly the equivalent of the past three winter accumulations put together.
All of this winter weather is just a pre-cursor to the real severe weather season, which begins in April, when snow and ice turn to straight-line winds, lightning, tornadoes, and rain. And, if the extreme winter is any indication, our spring season could be quite challenging for our venues. With this, we want to remind you to be prepared, take out your severe weather preparedness plans, dust them off, and bring them with you to IAVM’s Severe Weather Planning and Preparedness this March 4-5, in Norman, Oklahoma. The experts at the National Weather Center will help you ensure your venue is ready for what we will all hope is a mild one.
Register today for IAVM’s Severe Weather Planning and Preparedness
(photo credit: Gilles Gonthier via photopin cc)
