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It's hard to remember a year when everyone was so fed up to their ears with winter. As the cold and snow have dragged on through March, the normal wintertime complaints rose to new heights. The general cry hints of desperation -- Enough already!
One co-worker wailed, "Crud is coming down every day." And so it seemed. Records show that 2012-13 was one of the snowiest winters on record. As of March 25th, the Iowa County Highway Department had 68 inches recorded for the season.
When the sun rose on March 20th, the first day of spring, the temperature was a frigid 19 degrees and below zero with wind chill. That number was all the more shocking when compared to another spring in recent memory. Last year the temperature also shot off the charts, but in the other direction.
Last March 20th registered a tropic 81 degrees, during a freakily warm month. The unseasonable, balmy temperatures played havoc with some crops. They also left the general population spoiled forever more. We will certainly never forget that spring, and will probably not be satisfied with any normal spring again.
There is actually a bright spot related to all the snow days we've had this winter. Area farmers will be the first to tell you about it.
We went into this winter with a serious drought hanging over our heads. The land was about ten inches short of moisture and snow was needed to recharge the subsoil reservoirs. Another dry year meant possible disaster for many people who depend on the land for their livelihoods.
Judging that ten inches of snow equals about one inch of rain, the area received precipitation equal to almost seven inches. Some of this water came before the ground froze and was able to sink in. Later some of it ran off. But generally, all the persistently gloomy, drippy weather has been a great boon to the water supply around here.
One of these days - and there are hints of it already -- a wonderful thing is truly going to happen. Warmth will come. A smiling sun will thaw the earth. The snow will melt and underneath will be tender blades of grass that are shooting up, bright green.
That is the promise of spring, and it is sure to be even sweeter this year.