Snow Days

The weather prognosticators predict a very snowy winter for a lot of us here in the Pacific Northwest.  When people think of Washington State, they often assume that we all get a lot of gray and rain.  That is true for the more western, coastal part of our state.  Here in Eastern Washington, we have higher elevations and some years all that moisture comes in the form of snow. 

Supposedly we are experiencing a “La Niña” winter.  La Niña means “little girl” in Spanish and is the opposite of “El Niño” (“little boy”).  I have no idea how that name relates because this weather phenomenon is no small thing for those of us in the northwest.  In a “La Niña” winter, trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia.  Off the west coast of the Americas, upwelling increases, bringing colder water to the surface of the ocean.  These cold waters in the Pacific push the jet stream northward. This tends to lead to drought in the southern U.S., and heavy rains and flooding to the Pacific Northwest and Canada.  In a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the south and cooler than normal in the north.  It can also result in a more dramatic hurricane season.

Apparently the weather people got it right because we’ve all seen footage of the massive flooding in northwest Washington and the west coast of Canada in recent months.  For us in the higher elevations, we can likely expect to get a lot of snow.  Snow and cold have never been my favorite.  It makes bundling necessary and means navigating messy roads – neither are things I enjoy.  And while shoveling is a great workout, it does lose its charm fairly quickly when it’s required day after day. 

But my favorite thing about snow is how it makes everything seem slower and quieter.  It’s like a giant white blanket that covers all the brown and gray landscape that comes in late fall.  It buffers all the noise like sound proofing materials. It’s like a “hush” comes over the area. People drive slower (well, smart people do) and tend to stay home more.  It seems like a peaceful pause that one can’t help but appreciate. 

As much as I am a devoted summer girl, there’s not much more beautiful than a sunny day where snow is hanging on all the branches of the trees and bushes.  It’s especially bright as the rays of sun bounce off of the clean, white snow.  It feels refreshing and renewing somehow.  We had one of those stellar days here yesterday.  The sky was a vibrant shade of blue and the sun played through the trees and made the white blanket even brighter.

 Today it’s dumping giant flakes once again.  More snow is predicted in the days ahead.  At some point this will require us digging out to go where we need to go for the holidays.  But for today, I’m watching the snow fall steadily and hearing the muffled sounds of life moving on at a slower pace.  I plan to spend the day wrapping gifts, listening to my favorite Christmas tunes, and probably drinking more coffee than I should.  Everyone needs a snow day now and then.  Even if it’s summer where you are, I hope you can have a “snow day” soon.  Take the opportunity to slow down, get quiet and appreciate the pause.  Your inner self will thank you! 

Weather map courtesy of WRGB News.