Definite Maybe

by Brendan Smith
Weirs Times Editor

I got through it and I hope you did too.
It will go down in history as the biggest “maybe” snowstorm so far this century.
Having had many experiences with killer “maybe” snowstorms here in New Hampshire over the last few decades, I was ready.
As the founder of F.A.T.S.O. (Flatlanders Adjusting To Solitary Oblivion) a winter support group to help new transplants adjust to their first winters here, I was also prepared to give advice to the many who would be calling me about getting ready for the “maybe” snowstorm.
“You will need to get to the store and buy as much bread, milk and eggs as humanely possible so you will survive,” I told them. “With just these three things you can make it through any “maybe” snowstorm.
As soon as I heard those first forecasts I knew I was in for a busy time, not just making sure myself and my loved ones survived, but also doing all I could to help those without a clue.
“This storm hasn’t even formed yet in the Pacific Ocean, but it might bring two feet or more here in northern New England,” said the forecaster.
There was no doubt about it, having not even formed yet and having really no clue to what might actually befall us, I knew this system had all of the makings of one of the most terrifying “maybe” snowstorms we have seen in decades, or at least since weathermen first walked the planet.
We have all heard stories of some of the famous “maybe” snowstorms of days gone by. Stories passed down by our ancestors and the guy at the convenience store.
There was the famous “maybe” snowstorm of ’96 when the local television weatherman, using detecting equipment in its infancy, told us we might get as much as twenty-five inches with snow falling at the rate of two inches an hour at times within the next twenty-four hours.
It was unexpected and it set off a wide scale panic. There wasn’t much time. The supermarkets and hardware stores couldn’t keep up with the demand. People flooded the stores, afraid that they might be trapped in their homes for a full day to, God forbid, a day and a half, without ever seeing civilization and running out of precious bread, milk and eggs.
Of course, only eight inches fell, but the damage was done. Neighbor against neighbor, fighting for the last bag of Cheetos at the local supermarket and sacrificing all dignity to grab that last giant bottle of Diet Coke.
It was a hard lesson for all of us.
Over the years, weather detecting equipment became more sophisticated and now the weather people can give us forecasts of “maybe” snowstorms up to a week in advance, giving us all time to prepare for what might possibly be.
Still, no one could remember a “maybe” snowstorm forecast as dire as the one last week.
It was anywhere from a foot to three feet of snow, depending on where you lived. (God help those in the higher elevations.)
We all watched in horror as the initial predictions seemed true. There was something out there, something forming along the West Coast and it was heading our way. Something big might happen.
Soon it was creeping across the Midwest and heading straight to us.
But, this time we had plenty of warning. We had enough time to react appropriately. Get our affairs in order (not to mention milk, bread and eggs.)
The calls came in to F.A.T.S.O., as expected, and I did my best to keep people calm as I explained there was plenty of time before this “maybe” snowfall was going to hit.
The scenes in the stores were more orderly. Shopping carts full, but no major disruptions. There seemed to be plenty of staples for everyone.
We all would be able to survive that crucial eighteen to twenty-four hour ordeal without any disruption to our caloric intake.
Of course, like many other “maybe” snowstorms, it turned out to be less than expected. We had survived what could have been and all lived to see another day.
Still, we didn’t let that stop us. We will still tune in for that next weather report, we won’t let our guards down. There is always the possibility something might happen.
There will be more “maybe” snowstorms before this winter is over, more fronts developing somewhere that might turn into something and we will be ready for them.
Maybe, just maybe.

Brendan is the author of “The Flatlander Chronicles” and
“Best Of A F.O.O.L. In New Hampshire” available on his website
BrendanTSmith.com