While we are used to a certain amount of winter and snow, this season is not usual. Significantly, we are reaching average annual snow-fall totals while observing the half-way point of a typical 100-day central Maine winter. More significantly is the relentless nature of the cold temperatures. This Saturday will be the third one where the forecasters promise, “… the coldest temperatures of the season.”

It is more usual for us to get a foot of snow in one storm per month and thirty-to forty degree temperatures the following days. The follow-up warming was natural snow removal. This is the first season since 2008 where the credit union has had to hire special snow removal operations. In the thirteen years I have worked here, we have had two seasons when general snow plowing was not sufficient. And, in those years, it was a one time event each time. This year may require removal operations every other week the way we are going.

The forecast for this weekend is quite ominous (the plot at left shows a significant low pressure area forming Sunday in the Gulf of Maine which is promising 100 mph winds along the coast). The twenty inches of forecast snow is an after-thought on the problem list.