Hearing the dripping water of the running faucet as I desperately try to warm up under the hefty sheets upon my bed. My phone rings and I scurry to check the news each student has been waiting for. As my numb hands type in my passcode I read the words, “school” and “canceled.” My mind disregards the other information as I silently cheer for my first snow day in Texas.
Many remember the snow apocalypse that happened in the early months of 2021. However, most believed it would be a one-time phenomenon.
“I thought it was a one-week thing. I thought it was a coincidence because of COVID, but I was not expecting it to come back again,” said junior Daniel Marumoto.
With many Texas unprepared for the harsh weather sweeping through the early months, schools around the state were canceled. With some students celebrating the extra days off from school, teachers and school staff members had to deal with scheduling conflicts and delayed lesson planning.
“It completely changes the calendar. I have to rearrange homework and lessons. It pushes everything back” said Math teacher Mrs. Shaw.
Of course, tragedy still remained as many Texans were not properly equipped for the snow and ice that was engulfing the state. With many left with frozen pipes and no electricity, there is urgency to better prepare citizens for the winter weather, despite its recent changing patterns.
“10 years ago I feel like we didn’t have as many snow days and now we’ve had quite a bit. I do feel like it’s getting worse,” Shaw said.
Whether you believe global warming is to blame or the natural shifting weather patterns of the Earth, there is no doubt that the weather in Texas has been confusing and tiring, to say the least.
“The season of temperatures is changing. The heat of the summer is moving to the fall, and the coldness of winter is shifting towards the spring,” said Marumoto.
The now annual event of weather days has affected many, including students, teachers and normal civilians. With the worst of the weather coming to Texas in the beginning of each year for the past four years, many are still shocked with the news of ice and/or snow within the state.
“It is completely a surprise. We can come up with our guesses but most of the time we don’t expect it” said Shaw.
Many are still wondering if this weather phenomenon will continue for the upcoming years, and whether school districts will do anything regarding the unexpected delays due to icy roads or no electricity.
“I can see us getting to the point where we do virtual school on [weather days]” said Shaw.
The patterns of the weather around the world is changing at a rapid pace. With summer getting hotter, and the winter nights getting colder. Many debate on the cause of the fluctuating state of the Earth’s climate. Some have pointed to bettering our own lifestyles in order to help the planet, such as being mindful of your use of fossil fuels to conserve power at home.
When or if the winter storms make a return next year and the following years after that. Taking extra precautions to stay warm and safe should be everyone’s top priority.
