Weather Today was Meh

2012-02-15 23:48:29.000 – Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist

How gray and dull today looked.

Today can be described as…’Meh!’ In trying to think of something interesting to write about, all I can think about is how plain and non-descript today was. One of our sayings up here when it comes to writing Observer Comments is, ‘When all else fails, write about the weather’, but even that was pretty plain as well. Today is what I would label a vanilla ice cream kind of day; and not that fancy, hand churned, rich and thick, creamy, yellowish type vanilla with little freckles of vanilla bean in it. Nope, the kind of vanilla that is more air than cream, has barely any flavor, and is packaged in a cardboard cube or giant fundraiser tub and has a cover so non-descript, it could be used as a prop in a play or a movie without having to pay royalties. It was that kind of vanilla of a ‘meh’ day.

So why do I feel this way? Well, let me paint you the weather picture. Winds today were slow (for summit standards) and steady as they maintained between 10-25 mph. Just strong enough to be noticed but not strong enough to make anyone think twice about them (except in my writing about them just now). Temperatures have been acting like the winds mimicking younger brother remaining in the same 10-25F range and just slightly above normal. Not cold enough to warrant a face mask or do anything interesting with but not warm enough to cause any melting or make us think of spring days ahead. However, it was cold enough to snow. But the snow has been light enough that it feels like it is falling just to mock us; like it is saying, ‘Is this winter enough for you?’ in a witty, sarcastic tone as it slowly drifts to the ground. Rime ice has been forming but is so little and light, it’s like it’s following in the snows footsteps just because it has to like some judge mandated community service for us. And lastly is the blanket of fog, the main culprit making it feel so ‘vanilla-y’. It was thin enough to let sunshine through making it bright during the day but thick enough to block out the sun and to bath everything in a non-descript gray screening.

So, that is why I am saying today was ‘meh’. I will never be around family and friends and fondly looking back on February 15, 2012 as I describe to them how awesomely plain today was. But don’t walk away from this thinking that I am particularly bitter, I’m anything but. It is often said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn; so, I’m twisting that phrase and looking at it as the dullest day of the shift comes just before the fun. And looking ahead at forecast models, more interesting days are laying ahead of us this shift. So goodbye Wednesday, now bring on Thursday!

Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist