Honestly, I hate making predictions. Prepper predictions often range from the unlikely to the absurd. Let’s face it, Niburu has yet to slam into the earth, the end of the Mayan calendar failed to produce the end times, and the worldwide famine that was a certainty by this year at the latest simply didn’t happen. These are but a few predictions that have circulated in recent years in the preparedness community…all went bust. Let’s face it, this prediction is statistically destined to fail as well, but hey…I’ve been wrong before!
In any case here it is, my prediction is that we are in for one heck of a nasty winter. I could quote reasons steeped in folklore or quote wives tales about the thickness of the bark on certain trees. Honestly, I think most of those prediction sources are made up. As a matter of fact I just made up the one about the tree bark. So where does my prediction come from?
1 – The Old Farmer’s Almanac. I really don’t know what super science or witchcraft this publication uses but they are bang on more often than not. Recently, Managing Editor for the Canadian version of the 2020 almanac said to Global News: “It’s going to be very competitive to see which area gets the most snow and the most episodes of it.” In addition, he claims: “Of course, it’s still going to be cold, so that might mean a little more freezing rain,”. Oh yay…freezing rain!
2 – Situational Awareness. It’s common for power companies to trim up trees near their distribution lines in the fall. This year is no different except for the amount of trimming being done. In my region, Hydro Quebec seems to have declared war on vegetation, executing the most drastic cut backs on trees I have ever seen. It appears I’m not the only one taking this winter seriously.
3 – Current events. Ask a Manitoban what they think. Last weekend an early snowstorm knocked out power to up to 53000 customers. As of Monday, 20 000 were still without power and many may not get power restored for another week to ten days! Seems for some Canadians, winter has already begun.
I’m the last person that wants to create panic, but I honestly feel that time is short if you are not already prepared. My advice? Be ready to tough out a ten day power outage this winter. Be ready to heat without power, cook without power, and keep in touch without power. Oh, and don’t forget to buy an extra shovel or two!