Snow removal

March is upon us, quickly 2 days in. Spring lies but 18 days into our future, and 15 days from now brings equal day and equal night. And the strength of sun is now equal to around 10 October in the fall.

Nice astronomical observations, but also unfortunately probably significant.

Since 1 December, we have received about 111 inches of snow. We've had several heavy rainstorms add to the water content of our snow. One of the snow banks along our drive is almost 5 feet high, and equally as wide. Much of this is compressed into ice.

The Climate Prediction Center estimates we will have above average precipitation over the next 10 day period. Currently the monthly predictor gives equal chance to above or below precipitation and temperature. One chart lists the overall east coast being warmer than normal. Chances are, some of that warmth gets here.

Add 2 or 3 heavy rainstorms to continual warmer temperatures, and this snow is going to go quickly. It is going to cascade down mountain sides, seep from our lawns, and all congregate in our rivers. The two main rivers of this state are the Connecticut and the Merrimack.

In 1936, the Merrimack, fueled by such rapidly melting runoff and combined rainfall, had a flow equal to 67% of the normal Mississippi flow in St. Louis, an astounding amount of water for a much smaller river. Bridge after bridge was pulverised.

Such flooding today would cause untold millions of dollars of damage. We now have dams in place where they did not in 1936, but once before those dams have been filled to capacity. At that point we became vulnerable to more storminess, and fortunately it held off.

Here's hoping our March weather will be gentle to the northeast.