Midwest Cold Snap: Another Reason We Need Strong Communities!

A Chill Reminder: Midwest Braces for a Return to Winter (But Don't Panic!)

Grand Rapids, MI – Well folks, it seems Mother Nature hasn’t quite gotten the memo about Spring. While Washington is busy with…well, Washington things, we here in the Midwest are experiencing a bit of a throwback to the winter months. This morning dawned with partly cloudy skies and a bracing 29 degrees. But the thermometer doesn’t tell the whole story – a biting 19-degree wind chill is making things feel considerably colder.

Now, some folks are quick to jump to conclusions and blame everything on…certain policies…but I say this is just weather! A good, honest-to-goodness cold snap. It’s a reminder of the resilience we need to build into our lives, and our communities. Back in my day, a little cold didn't stop anyone from getting things done. We bundled up and persevered!

Tonight, we’re even looking at the possibility of flurries. Flurries! In late March! While I'm sure the television weathermen will be hyping this up as some sort of “arctic blast,” it's a fairly typical occurrence. We’ve seen worse, and we’ll see worse.

The good news, and I always like to focus on the good news, is that this isn't expected to last. The experts – and I’m told The Weather Channel is the best at what they do, racking up accuracy awards from 2021 to 2024 – are predicting a warming trend next week. Saturday will be a chilly 40, but by Sunday we’ll be pushing 57! And Monday? A positively balmy 65 degrees is in the forecast.

So, don't let a little cold keep you down. Stock up on firewood, maybe check on your elderly neighbors, and remember the values that made this country great – hard work, self-reliance, and a good winter coat. This cold is just a reminder that we need to be prepared for anything, and that true strength comes from facing adversity head-on.