Weather Alert
Why we watch the forecast where our loved ones live.
It’s snowing up north — a true nor’easter, with more than a foot of snow to be dumped overnight. High winds too.
I’m watching the Weather Channel in my rental house down south, the temperature outside a slightly chilly 57 degrees. On the animated map, I can see the bands of dark blue precipitation edging northwards, their purple-pink edges warning that the snow could turn to freezing rain and ice. Dangerous.
I wonder about my children, both adults now, and hope they have the wool knit hats I gave them at Christmas for a day just like this. Maybe I should call to remind them to be careful when they go out.
When I do call them, I may be surprised to hear that they were unaware of the impending storm.
How is that possible? Don’t they get weather alerts on their phones?
My sons don’t need to get all worked up about an approaching snowstorm, perhaps, because they have parents who track the weather throughout the day, checking the forecasts for every town where they or another loved one can be found. We’ll send a quick text, or make a longer phone call if the outlook is particularly nasty.
Northern California? Better take a jacket, the temperature will dip throughout the day.
