March 29, 2024

Looking Backā€¦Spring?

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Taking a peek ahead on the calendar gave me the date of Monday, March 20, 2023 as the arrival of the Spring (or Vernal) Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere this year. Further research on the computer gave me the exact time that it was taking place. FYI: the Equinox begins at 5:24 pm EDT and ends on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:57 am EDT. Meteorological Spring is simply from March 1st to May 31st of any given year.

Now for the “in like a lion” and not necessarily “out like a lamb” March weather of yesteryears. Note that many spring days were exactly 100% perfect and some were above and beyond anyone’s expectations of the month and date. The following weather conditions must have been horrendous to say the least. Please note: Many of these tidbits of information were found in Rehoboth Through the Years (1993) available at Blanding Public Library.

In 1698, it was mentioned that there was over thirty-six inches of snow on the ground, as the results of having over thirty days of snow during the season. No time frame was given, yet it was stated to have been one of the coldest and snowiest winters in years.

Severe cold weather began in October 1740 and continues through April 1741. It was claimed that a freeze began in mid-December and lasted into March 1741, with the last heavy snow in April. Ice on the area rivers measured upwards of two feet thick. March 1772 brought six snowstorms between March 5th  and March 20th, with a final snowstorm ending during the first week of April.

In 1823, it was rain that caused some extreme weather conditions on March 5th. The rains, combined with the melting snow pack, created significant flooding along rivers, streams and ponds, in addition to causing major damage to buildings and property.

Sunday, March 14, 1888 brought in a heavy rain storm that soon converted into snow. However, that snow storm blossomed into something a bit more significant…It lasted three more days, finally stopping on Wednesday. Now referred to as the “Blizzard of ’88, it had stopped most modes of transportation between southeastern Massachusetts and New York. Residents, who were running low on provisions after the winter months  for both their animals and themselves, had to carefully watch and not waste any foods or supplies.

Getting into more modern-day times (post World War II), a new meteorological record was set on March 20, 1948, when the twentieth storm of the season deposited yet another layer of snow. The total recorded snow amount in Rehoboth for the winter came in at seventy-three and three-tenths inches. Seven and three-tenths inches of snow was the total accumulation on March 16, 1956. Three days later, on March 19th, a blizzard deposited almost fifteen inches of snow in town…over 22 inches in in three days!

On Sunday, March 17, 1968, what would have been a St. Patrick’s Day Blizzard, was not in the picture. However, it was a memorable day and night and another day and night and another! Some parts of town have not yet forgotten the damages and inconveniences that occurred from this rain storm. A rainfall total in excess of seven inches was just too much for some of the bridges in town to handle. The Palmer River was running well as the spring melt/thaw had been going on for a while. With the additional rainfall, the river banks could not handle the river’s speed of flow nor the storm surges at high tides. Even low tide was to much for the weakening river banks. The majority of damage happened in the area of Providence Street. Two bridges were a total loss and had to be replaced…but that would take a long time. (For those who do not know Rehoboth roads too well, Providence Street, in my mind, is the Route 44 of South Rehoboth. Just like I envision North Rehoboth’s Tremont Street as being the Route 44 of North Rehoboth (even though I know part of it is Route 118!) The town is so large area-wise…they all go in an east-west direction.) Army engineers installed a temporary Bailey Bridge to help out. However, those who used that road every day knew that was not the solution. Repairs did take much longer than expected. A ride down that area these days can help one understand the concerns these residents had regarding their property and how this erosion affected their homes and other building on their property. Numerous roads had to be reconstructed due to the flooding and underground damages to the road beds.

This year, 2023, brings more wonders as to how much snow (or rain) will come in the month of March. The weather report given on Sunday, February 26, 2023 hints of rain or snow for the first week of March. By time you read this, you will know if the meteorologists were correct in their forecast. My prediction: Yes, we will have rain or snow depending on the temperature when the storm arrives. I do not think it will be a “significant” or “memorable” event…but I could be wrong.

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