This, for me, is the most challenging time of year to be in Northern Colorado. I confess that I am a warm weather guy. Summer's here are the best of any place I have lived but they are sadly not long enough. This time of year, we get those days of warmth and sun and golf. I call them "sunny golf" days. My golf partners and I pay close attention to the forecast to see if we can get a round in during the weekend. If the forecast says "sunny and 75", then that's a "warm" 75. If it's "mostly cloudy and 75", then that's a "cold" 75. Although it's 75 in both instances, there is a big difference with or without the sun.
But now, it's a matter of knowing if there will be sun or 4 inches of snow on the ground. You could have sunny and 75 on Monday and 4 inches of snow the very next day. Very frustrating. I'm trying to rotate my shorts and short sleeves into my wardrobe rotation. Now I've got two different piles to rotate because you just never know. Like this week. Shorts on Tuesday, and according to the National Weather Service, we will be shoveling snow on Wednesday. Here's what the NWS is saying:
...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO NOON MDT
THURSDAY...
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of
4 to 8 inches expected, heaviest south of I-76. Winds gusting
as high as 60 mph.
* WHERE...Portions of east central, north central and northeast
Colorado.
* WHEN...From noon Wednesday to noon MDT Thursday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be very difficult. Patchy
blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The
hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute. Strong
winds and heavy snowfall could cause tree damage. Roads will
likely become icy due to plummeting temperatures and strong
winds.
You and I know how this goes...prepare for anything between a flake of snow or 24 inches! We also believe, and it may be true, that forecasters get it wrong more than they get it right. I wouldn't want their job. I can only imagine how difficult it is to predict when surrounded by a mountain range like the Rockies. What they do usually get right is the temperatures and wind. Close to 80 degrees on Tuesday to close to 40 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday. And, of course, we'll get the wind too.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.