This push of cold, ice, and snow has brought with it a few comments about weather around the country.

The first is from the Lake Superior area.

I just read your message on Farmers’ Almanac and just to let you know we are cold, but it just started a few days ago. Before that, we were well above average temps and we live on the north shore with just a trace of snow. We usually have a lot of snow by this time, but it has all missed us. We got about 1 inch of snow on Thursday, but that is all we have in town. All around us has snow but us! The south shore has been hammered with snow. With no ground cover, the frost is going deep so I am sure we will be in trouble with our pipes soon.

Next is from Davenport, Iowa.

I fear it is going to be a tough summer and spring fore the Iowa Farmers. I am not a farmer or married to a farmer but I am always concerned for the agriculture here. Iowa is seemingly one of the lowest states in the income range. A lot of businesses have closed here in Davenport for several years now. Jobs are at a low. Our minimum wage is still at $5.15 an hour. I think that our biggest strength here is the farms and crops. So, I worry about the weather and the yields from the crops. This used to be a large industrial, agrarian area, but it seems that is changing.

Closing International Harvester and sending Cat away was scary. I hope the jet stream changes and we get a wet spring.

A third asks:

I was wondering if this weather pattern we are having is anything like the one we had in January of the year 1978, the year we had the great blizzard? I am a snow lover, and was wondering if Springfield, Ohio, is ever going to get any snow this year? So far, all we have had is a couple of flurries. Temperatures have been well above normal for this time of year, and lots of rain. Just wondering if you could shed some light on this, and if there will be any snow in the near future for Springfield, Ohio?

The best chance for snow is in February specifically the 4 - 7 and 8th - 11th. There are a couple other storms listed. I will just be happy for snow - any snow, any time.

My thoughts are going to the folks in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. In January 1998 Northern New England lost its power for up to 14 days. Fallen trees and limbs were everywhere. It is a difficult moment, and the clean up will last months. Plus the damage done to trees will be evident for years. If there is any good this, it’s that such circumstances bring neighbors and communities together. In Maine, people with generators went door to door warming houses and then moving on. I know the strength of mankind is in doing for others. Our storm became a national event. We had power company trucks from as far away as Canada, North Carolina, and Hawaii arrive to help the stretched Central Maine Power crews. I expect the same will be true in the Midwest.

This is the cold and flu season. Here’s a reminder to cough without spreading gems. Go to www.coughsafe.com for a closer look at preventing the spread of colds.

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