Backcountry Notes

On the promontory where we live, it sometimes seems that the the wind blows straight in from Canada, hampered only by a few barbed-wire fences (and some of those with a strand down, to boot). The wind started up in earnest yesterday, accompanied by a spate of hail signaling the return of winter (there is more snow and cold in the forecast). Business signs were blown down on Main Street, letters were ripped from churchyard signs, and a few shingles were ripped from rooftops -- all in all, a day of mild wind. But as the locals frequently say to out-of-towners who complain about such things: "If you don't like the weather, just wait a bit, and it will get worse."

Here's how to classify the wind hereabouts:

"Breezy" -- Small trees are bent at a 15-degree angle; beer cans and fast-food wrappers are parading along the street; flags make snapping noises.

"Windy" -- Small trees are bent at a 30-degree angle; trash cans and planters are parading along the street; flags begin to tatter.

"Very windy" -- Large trees are bent at a 15-degree angle; small trees and economy cars are parading along the street; flagpoles make snapping noises.

Yesterday was merely "windy." No biggie.

Our Old Farmer's Almanac predictions: Region 3 -- Jan 23-28: Snow, then sunny, cold; Jan 29-31: Heavy rain, mild. Region 7 -- Jan 25-28: Snow then flurries, cold; Jan 29-31: Sunny, then rain, mild. Looks like that "mild" part was far too optimistic.