Winter of 2008-2009

by Amanda Schrutt

To some people, the winter season takes a lot of getting used to, but to most students and staff at our school, it’s a part of life. In the previous years, winter has been rather tolerable around our town, but this year, as many forecasters have already predicted, is going to be pretty sketchy for our area and the surrounding villages.

With the first day of winter being December 21, people are running out of time to enjoy the fall season and warmer (rather than freezing) temperatures. Even the birds are starting to notice the winter season approaching as people view more and more flocks migrating south earlier than usual. Chief Forecaster Brian Larkin of the United States Weather Institute predicts, “This winter season is predicted by many weather officials to be one of the toughest winters southern Michigan has seen in ages.” Larkin predicts snowfall to be up 35% more than last years amounts.

Though the hardest blows of winter took part in the west last year, forecasters predict that the hardest blows this year will be pointed more towards the Midwest. Since the temperatures this year will be much colder and fiercer than previous years, most people will probably be caught off guard. To be ready for the season, some drivers may want to practice their driving in the winter conditions. “Students and people around the community should practice driving around curves; ditches aren’t fun,” advises Pittsford senior Maggie Chisholm. The colder and snowier winter is guessed to start off with December being the worst winter month for us this season. The worst part of the blow is estimated to end around the latter part of February, but still going strong.

Hearing of the overall outcome of this winter may put some people around our town in a terror. With this winter’s lower than usual temperatures, the cost of heating in homes around Pittsford is bound to skyrocket. Homeowners will be at their brink by the end of the season with the high heating bill prices. Trying to keep as warm as last year could cost hundreds more than people have spent in the previous seasons. Also, forecasters are starting to warn citizens in areas like Hillsdale County to start preparing now, rather than waiting for the harsh temperatures to get here to do things like splitting wood outside in the intolerable temperatures and what not.

With most small communities running out of salt like most stores around Hillsdale and surrounding towns did last year, you may want to start stocking up now while supply is available. It would be better to have it there and ready when you need it, rather than running to the store and finding out there is none for you to buy.Since some new drivers will be getting used to the conditions of the roads, you should be using various precautions this season. “Leave earlier for school and other destinations. It may take more time to get around due to the bad road conditions,” advises PHS senior Brook Kimling. So be prepared this winter to endure harsher temperatures and more snow than in the past. This winter is predicted to be one of the harshest winters that we here in little Pittsford have seen in a long time.