The Siberian Dagger

Today was in the 40's here, and sunny, but the wind is gusting stronger and stronger; Siberia is coming, or at least it's cold air. A large dome of frigid sub-zero cold that has been building over Siberia, on the other side of the world, is following the jet stream up over the north pole and down through the heartland, like a Siberian dagger. The amount of snow we will get is still uncertain at this point; we are to start with rain tomorrow evening, then freezing rain and sleet. Snow predictions for the weekend seem to be trending upwards; it may just be flurries, but some are now saying we'll get as much as 6 inches. What is certain, is that temperatures will plummet to below zero by early next week. So, let us speak no more for now of blooming snowdrops, and budding hellebores. It is a time to lay in a supply of Bud Light and Cheetos; it is a time to leaf through the newly arrived garden catalogues; it is winter in Iowa.