I am dreaming of a white Halloween… yeah, that should be the lyric from good old Bing Crosby. No I am not crazy. It actually snowed in New Jersey yesterday in OCTOBER and we had flurries today. Everyone was in shock. Is this just another climate change scenario? Or does it confirm that climate change is a bunch of hooey?
Personally, I think snow in October in New Jersey is just weird. Period. Gut feeling? Something is amiss. So, I decided to call Rutger’s University and talk with one of the meteorologists.
The gentleman, who will remain nameless, who I spoke with was very cordial. We talked about my weather conspiracy issues that this weird weather just confirmed climate change, August was drastically colder, and the squirrels were freaking out over the last couple of weeks getting ready for the winter. He must have thought I was a complete nut case. I did tell him I was writing an article so maybe he gave me some slack. (I know he did because he did not even ask my name and the publication I write for at the end of the conversation.)
First, we talked about possible climate change issues with August being colder and snow in October. He indicated that snow in October is rare, but not too unusual. He then preceded to list four separate years from 1925 to the present when it snowed in New Jersey even earlier than it did yesterday. The last time was 1972. I was impressed that he had those facts right there at his finger tips!
But, I persisted. I questioned, “isn’t snow in October an example of climate change?” Come on, a white Halloween? Again, I could hear him saying in his head, “Anna, Anna, Anna, don’t go off the deep end here with a little snow storm in October.” He replied that climate change has to be studied over a course of decades to make a determination that man has impacted our climate. Okay, I replied, as I put my tail between my legs…
What about the cold August? I lamented that I thought August was much colder this year. Ask my vegetables, I quibbled. I am not sure he thought I was funny. He told me that August was only a degree or two colder. Well, I retorted, then I just must be getting old and feel the weather more. Darn it I was wearing a light coat by the beginning of August. Is this normal?
Now I had him. What about the psycho squirrels that were racing around like they had just taken speed pills. I even saw them go in and out of my garden, which they never do. (At least I don’t catch them.) A couple ate some of my strawberries.
One even tried to climb up the side of my house. Why? I even told my husband last week, we needed to take in the lawn furniture and the plants. SOMETHING is going on, I told him. Being one with Mother Nature, I knew.
The Rutgers gentleman must have thought he was talking to a squirrel whisperer or something like that. He calmly said, “there must be a lot of nuts out there for them to collect.” How convenient. Good answer as if he was on the Family Feud game.
So, that you know I had this conversation with a straight face, dead serious, and totally committed to the cause. What is the bottom line. I think we are going to have a horrible winter and you heard it here first. Animals know. Even the deer looked a lot furrier these days. So, make sure you have winter boots, gloves, and coats for the youngsters.
While you are at it, start weatherrizing your house with my helpful hints I posted last year:
Is your Living Area, One Big Leak?
Look to Your Attic to Lower Your Energy Bills
Do You Have the Energy Bill Blues
Don’t make me say, “I told you so.” Squirrels are all knowing…
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello, really nice site! Andrea
Soft Air Torinos last blog post..Giorno III: il postino suona sempre due volte
I remember when I was a child we had snow a couple years in OCT, zone 5 I believe. Its not unusual. This halloween was beautiful though. Weather can be a crazy thing. So far I think things may be a little off but nothing that is affecting humans in a big way. Yet..
New Yorks last blog post..Multi-millionaires also back Obama ahead of election
Climate change is happening, but you can’t just limit the definition to “global warming”, Global warming is just the catalyst for overall climate change.