It’s ugly here in the Golden State. Ugly, as in 45 degrees and raining. And the forecast is even calling for snow on the valley floor for Saturday morning! What the what? I’ve lived here for over eight years and have never seen a single flake. And although I grew up with white winters, I will be completely amazed to see it here in Fresno. I often chuckle to myself whenever the weather goes crazy here. People (native Californians) go nuts over the mention of temperatures dipping below 50 F and gusty winds and the possibility of snow. The mere fact that the local news channel has a “Storm Warn” system to alert us of impending “extreme” weather (ie. one 5-minute thunder storm per year and the occasional 20 mph wind) seems laughable. I would love for the people of California to experience a good, old fashioned Saskatchewan storm rolling in after a hot summer day in August. The blackest of black clouds appear on the horizon, the air turns frighteningly still and heavy, lightening flashes in the distance and the rumble of thunder creeps in, closer and closer. The angry wind arrives suddenly as the temperatures drop and the full force of the storm descends upon you. Sometimes there is rain, other times it’s just a dry electrical storm. I was always deathly afraid of the wind as a kid, which was unfortunate considering how windy it got in the spring and summer, but living in California has erased that fear. Mostly because it’s never windy here. And when the weatherman calls for wind, I know it’ll just be a nice breeze. And snow in Fresno....I’ll believe it when I see it!
Now, I’ll be the first one to admit that I am now completely climatized and become freakishly cold when the mercury falls below 70 degrees. My plans for tomorrow’s possible snow fall involve tucking myself inside our cozy house with lattes and scrabble games and movies and my book. But I can still pretend to be unfazed by this California winter storm like any other tough Canadian girl, right?
