Predicting the weather is an inexact science. And, since it is January, the only thing we can predict is that the weather is unpredictable. Recent history demonstrates this clearly.
The Great Blizzard of ’78 lasted from Wednesday, January 25 through Friday, January 27, 1978. “As the storm headed for Ohio, it was “of unprecedented magnitude”, according to the National Weather Service, which categorized it as a rare severe blizzard, the severest grade of winter storm.”1 Only 13 inches of snow fell but with winds gusting between 50-80 mph, 15-foot or higher drifts were created, paralyzing the region and shutting it down.2
The storm caused 51 deaths, $73 million in agricultural losses, and the activation of the Ohio National Guard. It also caused a lot of firsts. For the first time, the Ohio Turnpike was shut down. Ohio State and Notre Dame in Indiana closed for the first time in their history. “The total effect on transportation in Ohio was described by Major General James C. Clem of the Ohio National Guard as comparable to a nuclear attack.”3
Then, on this day in 1996, another blizzard hit the eastern seaboard. President Clinton shut the government down for a week and declared nine states along with Washington, D.C. to be disaster areas. This was “a blizzard that kills 154 people and causes over $1 billion in damages before it ends.”4 Two to three feet of snow fell in most areas, blown to unbelievable heights by 50-mph winds.
January through February are typically our most brutal winter months in Ohio. The worst could be ahead. Since I’m writing this devotional in the middle of December, maybe you are reading this and today is an awful day. And it could be that this is a mild winter with just a few frigid, blustery days and snow without accumulation.
As I said, the only thing we can predict is that it is unpredictable!
I will not presume to suggest why weather patterns are what they are. Instead, I will point you to the One who is in control of the weather. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God oversees the weather. The Psalmist declares in Psalms 147:15-18, “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. (16) He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. (17) He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? (18) He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.”
Psalms 148:8 simply says, “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word.”
Why do we get the weather we get? Why are some winters full of snow and others are mild? Why are some spring times soggy and others are drier? Why are some summers blistering hot and others rather comfortable? The meteorologist tries to give science-y sounding explanations while using big words that confuse 99% of us. Wouldn’t it be simpler and more honest for them to shrug their shoulders and say, “I really don’t know what brought this weather pattern but I can tell you Who brought it! And the why belongs to Him.”
Take a look outside. Look at your thermometer. Look at your barometer. It’s all interesting information. But the greatest weather information you will find is in Job 37:6-13. “For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. (7) He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. (8) Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. (9) Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. (10) By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. (11) Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: (12) And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. (13) He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.”
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blizzard_of_1978#Impact
2https://www.wtol.com/article/weather/severe-weather/the-blizzard-of-78-northwest-ohio-deadly-winter-storm-history/512-0328142c-30b1-4cff-bf81-7bab9bd48404
3“The 30 year anniversary of the Blizzard of ’78”. National Weather Service: Eastern Region Headquarters. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008.
4https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/blizzard-of-1996-begins
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