A Breath of Fresh Air

After a few days of sub-zero wind chills, it was nice to see people walking their dogs, riding bicycles and wearing short-sleeved shirts this week as temperatures climbed into the 50s. Even a little rain and a lot of wind on Wednesday couldn't stop Laurel City residents from getting outside to enjoy the spring-like conditions.

Winter is only three weeks old and New England residents can certainly be thankful for the brief respite from the season's worst temperatures so far. Much of the snow along Main Street has melted away and any worries about clearing sidewalks are but a recent memory. Many towns in upstate New York and the Tri-State area enjoyed record-breaking high temperatures this week, even as Connecticut residents took on a high wind advisory Wednesday morning.

The normal high this time of year is around 32 degrees, while lows typically dip into the teens. Considering the fact that last week's weather brought near-record lows, it is yet another commentary on New England weather that this week's temperatures were so warm, supporting Mark Twain's assertion that all you have to do is "wait a minute" if you don't like the current conditions.

Of course it follows that the unseasonably warm weather will not last. Next week's temperatures are looking to dip into the 20s and spring is still three months away, so enjoy the nice weather while you can. That may seem like a wet blanket, but at least it's not a frozen one.

Winsted residents and New Englanders in general can take pride this week in knowing they can handle the extreme moods of Mother Nature, and we're ready for whatever comes next. As the warm temperatures begin to fade away, though, give yourself the chance to take a walk through town and enjoy that breath of fresh air.