By Polly Mikula
It’s been a wet and cold spring and the snow that fell Monday night on the mountain tops was certainly not a welcomed sight. With May Day and Mother’s Day celebrations behind us and Memorial Day in sight, we should be donning our open-toed shoes, not thankful that we didn’t take off our snow tires yet.
Snow events in May in the mountains of Vermont occur more than some might think, according to meteorologist Mark Breen, with snowfalls occurring about twice per decade, he said Tuesday morning on Vermont Public Radio. It’s rare but not historic.
However, it’s not just the recent snow your neighbor, colleague or family member are complaining about. It’s the cold and wet weather that’s been dragging on this spring.
They’re right. According to Weather Underground, as of Tuesday, May 14, it has rained 11 of the 14 days in Killington, Rutland and Woodstock, and temperatures have averaged in the 40s-50s across the region. Killington has seen only five days reach 60+ degrees and only one reach into the 70s (on May 6 it hit 73). Compare that to last year when 13 of the 14 days were over 60 degrees, six of which hit the 70s and three reached into the 80s! Plus, there were half as many rainy days last year.
Looking ahead, the long term forecast for the rest of the month predicts most days in the mid-60s starting this Sunday. Let’s hope.
