The following observations were taken in Randolph Center during the week of February 6-12, 2012.

Can you recall theses words from last year’s column at this time? Last week featured more roof snow removal in the area, along with reports of lost structures due to the increasing weight of snow from the heavier and wetter prior storm. Temperatures began on the mild side but were still not high enough to qualify for a thaw—the last one had occurred back on the first and second of January. As more snow and near-zero conditions arrived Tuesday evening, I found myself beginning to gripe just a bit about fighting the weather with constant wood loading and humidifier operation. Day length was noticeably longer, however, espe­cially in the evening hours, which extend much more rapidly than sun­rise over the first several weeks of winter.

Imagine no thaw for several weeks when this winter has been nothing but thaws! Just look at last week, when we seesawed back and forth once again, breaking the 40-degree mark on two occasions. In fact, we have now broken the freezing mark in 23 out of he last 44 days, during what is normally the coldest time of the year. Then recall exactly five years ago, when on Valentines Day we received a record 30.5 inches of snow in just 24 hours! Yet as of this writing, we remain mired in a relatively snow-less winter (with some wet snow possible for late in the week/weekend), with the only comparative mid-February experience being the now-notice­able lengthening of daylight in our evenings, and the arrival of this years’ crop of vegetable and flower seed catalogs. Regardless of how you feel about snow, I think most of us can be extremely thankful for the savings of wood and heating fuel, especially during a time of financial strain for many Vermont families.