Foot's Forecast | Weather Intelligence

Honoring the winter knights

RECOGNIZING THE HUMBLE DEDICATION OF OUR TRANSPORTATION

WORKERS WHO KEEP SOCIETY MOVING NO MATTER THE WEATHER

Photo credit: The Baltimore Sun - Prince Georges County, MD

7:30 PM 1/14 - As temperatures resume a plunge back to the 20s overnight, we know thoughts in this post-storm period naturally turn to several questions about winter for many:  

1) WAS THAT IT?
2) WILL THERE BE A THAW?
3) WHEN DO STORMS RETURN?

We will answer those questions in due time as we evaluate what scenarios are most probable in the next Long Range pattern. But first, there are some people who deserve time in the spotlight.

Photo credit: The London Times Online

This week, Mother Nature tried her best to throw another wintry trick. Even though forecasts were for marginal accumulations, and the reality bore that out for most locations in the Mid-Atlantic, a couple thousand people went forward with their duties anyway. Whether the atmosphere delivers one inch or twelve inches, they have a job to do. And did they ever do it this week.

We are talking about the many unsung heroes of winter weather management. These are the transportation workers, road crews, snow plow operators, emergency response teams and school officials. It's easy to overlook them, because they're out when you aren't, behind the wheel of a huge vehicle, or working in an deserted parking lot. But one observation is accurate no matter the location: They are the true winter knights of our time. 

While we fret about snow ratios, which computer model is constipated or how upper level temperatures are uncooperative... down at the surface where real life is, it's moving forward because of these people. They put their lives aside, and leave their families for extended periods to engage in a hazardous endeavor when weather is at its worst. All this so we can drive to work or school, in relative comfort, with the least amount of interference possible. 

Jessica: The only female snow plow operator for the city of Salem, Virginia

Even if snow is a no-show, they still have to put in the time -- and there's not much thanks that goes around afterwards. The public moves on, the TV station stories return to non-weather topics, and the plows are put back until next time. There is one thing missing: Appreciation. For them, from us.

If you see, or know, a transportation worker, school bus driver or plow operator, take a moment to offer your thanks for what they do. It might seem a small gesture, but it'll mean the world to them. It shows that their effort ARE appreciated, even when things go WELL, not just when it doesn't.

From all of us at Foot's Forecast - we salute the real winter knights out there. We hope the next 10 days provides you welcome rest, before the next round returns.