Winter's Knocking on Spring's Door

Shape of things to come?

Although the vernal equinox - the astronomical first day of spring - is two days away on March 20, winter is not done with us yet! A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for our area starting Monday night at 9 pm right through Tuesday at 8 pm. Be prepared for 6-10 inches of heavy wet snow and ice, a messy Tuesday morning commute, and probably a school closing on Tuesday as well. Heavy wet snow and ice also means possible power outages. Oh joy.

Although the temperatures the rest of the week get up to about 38-40 degrees during the day, there won't be a rapid melt as the temperatures fall below freezing every night as well. So this also means shoveling early on, unless you like to chip away at block ice.

On the upside, we can now answer the question that has been plaguing us for weeks - was Phil the Groundhog right or wrong? (Wrong, obviously.) Let's just hope that unofficial spring doesn't arrive six weeks late. Stay safe out there, and feel free to complain early and often. Complaining about the weather is, after all, our distinctly New England prerogative.