Winter's Last Hurrah

Like the daffodils, some Kansas school children may have felt a bit bogged down by winter weather on the final weekend of spring break.

Saturday night at dusk as the snow started to fall.

They, like the flowers by my front door, may have hung their heads as wind-whipped temperatures kept them inside.

I was hanging my head a bit, too, after my beloved Wildcats were knocked out of the NCAA tournament in the first round. I am trying to be happy for the Wichita State Shockers and the KU Jayhawks who have danced into the Sweet 16.

Saturday evening at dusk (taken with flash)

Sunday afternoon

By the time we got home from Palm Sunday services, the sun had turned the tender snowflakes of Saturday night into icy diamonds, still clinging to the yellow daffodils that rivaled the bright sun as it reflected off the snow.

Even though the snow and icy roads made the trip to town a little more treacherous Sunday morning, we are thankful for the moisture that fell this weekend.

In the U.S. Drought Monitor released last week, our area still registered extreme drought. And while a few inches of snow won't end the drought, every little bit helps.

Unfortunately, the wind whipped the snow into a frenzy (not unlike the Wildcats in the second half on Friday. Sorry: I know I'm dwelling on it.) Some of the snow ended up drifting into roads and into shelter belts instead of staying on the wheat fields that so desperately need the moisture.

The weeds in the ditches had more snow cover than the wheat fields. Just what every farmer needs ... healthy weeds.

 

Still, the February and March snows and a little bit of rain have helped ease the drought slightly in some sections of Kansas, though it doesn't come close to ending the 20-inch deficit from two years of drought.

"In terms of the winter wheat, I think it helped a great deal. Farmers from Eureka to Ness City are pleased with the recent rain and snow. A light, steady, soaking rain can be more beneficial than a 2-inch rain that falls in 40 minutes because it allows the soil to absorb the moisture. They all thought the moisture's timing and amount and the rate was all very, very helpful."

AccuWeather Vice President Mike Smith, talking about recent moisture

Sunrise on Monday, March 25

Like sunrise on snow, it can't help but make farmers feel a bit more optimistic.