Boston recently turned into a winter wonderland with a snowy spectacle that blanketed the city, bringing a touch of magic and a whole lot of inconvenience. As usual, the folks in Boston are old hands at managing snow, considering their long and frosty history of dealing with such weather. However, this winter came with a twist: Boston has been experiencing a snow deficit, falling a surprising nine inches short of their average seasonal snowfall. But fear not, weather-watchers! A recent snowstorm made quite a dent in those numbers, unloading over four and a half inches at the Logan International Airport and leaving some suburbs buried under half a foot of snow. It was a snowy feast when Boston needed it most.
While the snow was a welcome marvel for the Pats’ fans rejoicing in another home victory at Gillette Stadium, it was a different story for those travelers roving the skies and roads. Snowball effects, both literal and metaphorical, disrupted travel plans across the East Coast, leading to over 4,100 flight delays and rubbing salt into the wounds with a dozen cancellations over at Boston’s very own Logan International. Of course, Boston’s snow-clearing army was up bright and early, working tirelessly to keep the city moving. But as the snow continued to fall, it reminded everyone that Mother Nature, not travel itineraries, calls the shots.
The snow also played a less-than-rosy role on the Patriots’ playing field during their game against the Houston Texans. True to New England’s reputation, they embraced the chills and thrills of snowy football, and the Patriots fans were all about it. Patriots-winning weather, they called it, delighting in how much of an advantage it provided against a team more accustomed to the cozy confines of indoor play. The players, though, were surely grateful for every bit of grip they could muster on a slippery turf, even if their Texan counterparts grumbled quietly to themselves about the unfairness of it all.
Yet, the snow did not just keep its icy fingers in Boston. It embarked on a grand tour up and down the East Coast, dumping flakes in places where snow is as rare as a politician who keeps promises – Florida and Georgia got a taste of the frosty fun too. People were left wide-eyed, grappling with the unusual sight of snow in the land of sun and orange juice. More accustomed to sand than snow, these states found themselves as part of the winter show, proving that weather can be a formidable wildcard no matter how predictable it seems over the years.
As Boston dug out and prepared for the possible encore of snow that might arrive by the coming weekend, there was a sense of camaraderie in the air. From the fans at the game, reveling in their team’s win amidst the flurries, to the plows working double-time to clear the roads, it was all just another snowy chapter in the storied lore of New England. Besides, once the snow clears and the weather warms up a bit, Bostonians just might find themselves missing the sight of those graceful snowflakes. Until then, they’ll take it as it comes – snow, travel delays, and all.
