We Canadians talk a lot about the weather.
Lately, wondering about the weather has become one of the leading news topics worldwide. Accustomed patterns are all in flux. So-called normal has, if you will, evaporated.
I was picking up my weekly trailer-load of large round bales that we use in our outdoor horse paddocks that keeps the equines fed, warm and that gives them something to do.
In the cold season, making lots of hay available to horses keeps their boilers working. It is analogous to feeding wood into a stove.
When Rudy, one of my hay suppliers, completes the task of loading truck and trailer, we usually chat for a minute before I head home.
I mentioned that while driving to his farm I listened to the radio and discovered that both on Canadian and American radio, the topic was about the weirdness of this and the previous winter weather.
I learned that we aren’t the only ones with very little snow for this time of year. Ski resort owners in British Columbia, Colorado and up-state California, used to lots of snow for their tourist businesses, are having to spend unusual amounts of money making snow.
In the case of a resort owner in Maine, she hasn’t been able to rent her cabins to snowmobilers, the main source of her winter income, and why?
Next to no snow.
Can’t remember a year when there was so little white stuff on the ground. Even locations that are used to receiving large amounts of rain are experiencing drought-like conditions.
So naturally the show hosts managed to get some weather expert on air to explain what is happening. Is it global warming or La Nina? Bit of both they suspect.
Us too.
We have far less snow on the ground than usual for this time of year but, more importantly, much warmer temperatures.
Now, I’d be a fool to complain about a warmer winter. Not having square tires and concrete seats when climbing into my vehicle is a blessing. Haven’t even had to plug either the farm pick-up or car in yet.
Big Red, my diesel tractor, is the exception since it doesn’t like any cold at all. And the lack of snow has made managing the farm easier in terms of getting around. I’ve only had to snow blow twice thus far. Very unusual.
But there are potentially serious consequences if we don’t receive more precipitation either in the form of snow or rain in the spring – drought.
Drought affects country wells, crops, forests and wildlife, gardens, etc. Even now I’m hearing of rural dwellers dependant on their wells for water having to fork over dollars for water delivered in tanker trucks.
With the lack of snow, the warmer temperatures have been a blessing since septic fields that need adequate snow cover to protect them from freezing aren’t at risk – yet.
But if the mercury drops, if Jack Frost elects to make a prolonged visit without the snowy blessings of Ol’ Man Winter, septic fields and wells could freeze.
Not fun for rural rooters. Better to have lots of snow to cover the fields, to provide adequate moisture for water supplies and the ground when spring arrives.
Which is what I was sounding out Rudy about.
“Well I’m not complaining about the temperature. This warmth is welcome,” he replied.
“Yes but we still need snow or lots of rain for catch-up in the spring,” I continued, “I’m thinking about crop loss.”
With a straight face Rudy intoned “True, but we’ve never lost a crop in January.”
You can contact Rural Roots by e-mail: fbljones@hotmail.com.