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We've finally reached the Memorial Day weekend.
And while it's easy to think about the many things that are associated with the last weekend in May, we must always remember that the day itself has been set aside to remember the sacrifices of the men and women who have died while serving our country. No matter what your politics or where you stand on any particular issue, those sacrifices have been made -- and, sadly, likely will continue to be made -- to ensure we can hold onto the freedoms we should all be able to enjoy as Americans.
Falling where it does on the calendar, though, just as the weather is starting to turn consistently warm and school years have come to a close, Memorial Day also has come to stand for the unofficial start of summer. But whether you believe summer starts Monday or next Saturday (June 1) or not until 4:51 p.m. on June 20 (when it officially does begin), there will be plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy during the next several months.
But what, exactly, can we expect from the weather? The long-range forecasts seem to indicate our region can expect temperatures well above average for the next three months, with the likelihood we'll continue to experience bouts with severe storms.
According to AccuWeather, the forecast for June through August is calling for temperatures between 2 degrees and 4 degrees higher than historical averages across a large part of the Midwest, including the Tri-State Area. The State College, Pa.-based media company that produces weather forecasts around the world, is predicting that our region will face its peak chances of experiencing severe weather in June, July and August.
Projections from the National Weather Service offer about the same outlook. The Climate Prediction Center says our region has between a 33 percent and 40 percent probability of experiencing above normal temperatures this summer. It adds there is the same probability we will have above normal precipitation.
Our mean temperatures for the summer months, the National Weather Service adds, are 69.4 degrees for June, 73.2 degrees for July and 71.8 degrees for August, based on temperatures from the last 30 years. For reference, our mean temperature last June was 66.5 degrees. In July, it was 73.9 degrees and in August, it was 72.4 degrees.
That still leaves a question that needs to be asked -- what do the almanacs say? And, there's not a real consensus there.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, our region can expect a cool and dry summer. Farmers' Almanac, meanwhile, places our area right on the border of a section that will experience a steamy and thundery summer and a muggy and stormy summer.
Both have been using proprietary formulas to produce their forecasts for some time: Old Farmer's since 1792 and Farmers' since 1818. Both publications are calling for cool temperatures and rain during the first part of June, and both are predicting cool temperatures until after the Fourth of July. And, looking way into the future, both are calling for cool temperatures around Labor Day, with Old Farmer's saying we'll have precipitation and Farmers' saying it will be dry.
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While it's a favorite treat at any time during the year, summertime has always been ice cream time.
And, according to a report released last week by Trace One, interest in ice cream hits its peak around the nation in July.
In fact, according to the Simmons National Consumer Survey, nearly 90 percent of Americans enjoy ice cream, and manufacturers produce more than 1.38 billion gallons of ice cream each year.
Favorite flavors and brands vary a lot by region, the survey says, with Blue Bell Ice Cream being the most popular national brand in Ohio. In Pennsylvania, it's Turkey Hill and in West Virginia, it's Tillamook, information from Google Trends shows.
There's a difference among regional brands as well, Trace One, a New-York-based PLM and compliance solutions company, says. In Ohio, the regional favorite is Cincinnati-based Graeter's Ice Cream. In Pennsylvania, the favorite is Meadows Frozen Custard in Columbia and in West Virginia the favorite is Ceredo-based Austin's Homemade Ice Cream.
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No matter what the weather has in store for us, there will be a lot of things to do -- and ice cream to eat -- before summer comes to a close, which, depending on how you look at it, will be on Sept. 1, on Labor Day (which is Sept. 2 this year) or at 8:44 a.m. on Sept. 22, the time of the autumnal equinox.
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.)