Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I saw something upsetting on the news recently.
Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog from Pennsylvania, saw his shadow. That apparently means winter is not going to end for a few more weeks.
Isn’t that wonderful?
Sure, spring seems like it should be getting ready to make an appearance soon, but a pampered marmot stood in the right angle under the sun, so this infuriatingly cold weather is sticking around for a while longer.
Too bad Phil does not live in Kansas, where trying to predict the weather without fancy equipment is about as logical as assuming the Wildcats are actually going to live up to their potential in basketball.
People are, however, just as annoying as observing every morning as you leave your apartment that it is still really cold out, even though it was supposed to get into the 50s today.
That is just the way the weather works in Kansas.
If you are not a meteorologist, your guess as to how it is going to feel outside is as good as anyone’s.
Except for meteorologists.
I’m pretty sure there’s something they aren’t telling us.
One of my strangest memories of growing up in a state that claims to be “as big as I think” (on a side note, the state’s public relations people really would not be happy with) was the blizzard that occurred when I was in the first grade.
What was so strange about this blizzard? It was in the middle of October.
Yes, that’s right. The people of Topeka got a respite from raking leaves that day so that they could shovel their driveways.
It was quite a shock to me then.
I was too young to understand the concept of unseasonal weather or that the snow would be gone without a trace in time for Halloween.
Since that fateful, albeit confusing storm, I’ve observed every type of weather in this state, from extremely hot Novembers to cold Marches, and occasionally, Mays that provide the showers that then give way to June flowers, apparently because April was lazy and somebody had to pick up the slack for it.
I’m starting to think we are due for a plague of locusts sometime soon.
It has been clearly established that Kansas weather does not meet any typical definitions of “normal.”
But why not?
Some people may tell you that various storm systems from all over the country tend to cross the Midwest, occasionally mixing and producing big storms and that these systems may very well be strengthened by the effects of global climate change.
Unfortunately, we live in Kansas, where science is a scary subject matter, so a different, less feasible explanation must be brought into the discussion.
My suggestion is that Kansas is being punished for some random misdeed committed within what would eventually become its borders a few centuries ago.
Go ahead. Try and prove that that never happened.
We could always do some research, and find out exactly what this state-cursing event was and attempt to set it right, but what would that actually accomplish?
I, and many others, have complained about the weather in Kansas, but it does seem to be part of its character.
And Kansas needs all the character it can get.
It fills the void left by all the space between our few hills.
And really, what would we actually gain from having normal, seasonal weather?
Nobody could build jack-o-lantern/snowman hybrids, nor could they occasionally wear shorts in January.
The cold is annoying now, but remember, it could always be worse.
Who knows what other tricks that groundhog has up its sleeve?
Cohen is a Topeka junior in political science and English.
Real life storm chasers
Students and professionals use skills and equipment to follow severe weather.
Chasing Danger
Amateurs and professionals follow storms across Tornado Alley
'Snowpocalypse' pummels Kansas, entire Midwest
Class cancelations, winter weather struggles abound in Kansas, Missouri and throughout the ...
Winter storm hits Lawrence
Two inches of snow accumulates in Lawrence as a result of the ...
Brew: Post-Punxsutawney Phil Wish List
If the groundhog forecasts weather, can the brew forecast sports?
Blizzard warning issued for Douglas County
KU Edwards Campus and Lawrence Public are closed Tuesday.
Number of female meteorologists on the rise
This semester, more women are taking meteorology classes at the University. This ...
Carmichael: A day in the life of ...
Compare your snow day with the adventures of Chance Carmichael.
Springtime means unpredictable weather
Next week is designated “Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Week” by the National ...
KU meteorologists explain “La Niña’s” effect on ...
Cold Pacific Ocean temperatures are to blame for the dry and warm ...
Blizzard waring issued for Douglas County
KU Edwards Campus and Lawrence Public are closed Tuesday.
Photo exhibit features Kansas tornadoes
The gallery opens today at the Natural History Museum.
Winter weather presents new challenges
Heavy snows provides new and unexpected difficulties for both students and University ...
Holmes: Getting through the season of groundhogs ...
Take life lessons from the bleak, cold months of February.
Snow hits Lawrence, wind poses main problem
Megan Gilliland, communications manager for the city of Lawrence, advised everyone to ...
Blizzard update: Latest information, as it comes ...
Classes and campus operations will resume Thursday.
Cohen: Let's make Kansas proud
State's response to abortion debate offers chance for redemption.
KU atmospheric science program wins award
The Topeka office of the National Weather Service presented the University’s Atmospheric ...
Union employees work through the snow
The Union provides a place on campus for emergency employees still on ...
Nichols: What’s funnier than a Kansas weather ...
The state's ever-changing conditions should be a source of laughter.
Another night on the pitch
Johnny’s Tavern owner is a big part of the Kansas Jayhawk Rugby ...
Cohen: Drawing the line in political battles
Is the judicial branch truly off-limits from politics?
Cohen: Can Obama justify Nobel Prize win?
Obama was given the award based on provoking a mood, rather than ...
Winter weather could cause problems
Students should prepare for the possibility of frozen pipes, power outages and ...
Cohen: Of e-mails and tropical snowmen
Responding to global warming controversy.
Osterhaus: Natural herb flavors students' day
For students seeking non-alcoholic alternatives, Kratom tea provides all that is needed ...
Ice storm remnants pose threat
Not just fair weather fans
Rain, shine or hurricane, Kansas fans say they’ll be there.
Cohen: Sebelius should stay on for now ...
A Cabinet post would be great, but the governor is needed more ...
Students celebrate snow day, despite hazards
For many, the break was a change to sleep, drink, and catch ...
Cohen: My personal economy might need a ...
Wakarusa festival temporarily canceled because of rain, ...
Bands announced to festival-goers to take cover, some enjoyed the weather and ...
What it's Like To... Chase a Storm
Pursuing one of nature's most powerful forces.
Jayhawks deliver excitement, entertainment
Whether homecoming resulted in a victory or a loss for the Jayhawks, ...
KU reveals redesigned home page
The new home page was revealed on Jan. 16 after six months ...
Stormed Out Of Town
Michigan State blew by Kansas 75-62 with a strong performance in the ...
Blog: Staying Immune
Fighting the common cold.
Wilinsky: Time for Penn State to come ...
Even as Penn State roils from a sex abuse scandal, Kansas should ...
Professor Profile: Curtis Hall
Here's some stuff you might want to know about one of Kansas' ...
Editorial: In heat, too much information
News agencies fall all over themselves to state the obvious
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID