The end is near! It begins at 11:52:15 PM

Ok…you’re going to have to humor me here, as it oftentimes becomes challenging to write a weather blog entry that is anything but mundane. By the time you get to the end of the post, assuming you do, you’ll know exactly what I’m asking you to do, And do I expect you to do it? Of course I do. This has been 50 years in the making. I know you won’t let me down. Who could?

Obviously the end of 2021 is near, but I’m guessing there are many people looking forward to the end of perhaps something else.

Here are some things, in no particular order, to which I’m looking forward.

I would like to see the retreat of this warm winter weather just long enough to give us one modest snowfall. Then we can go straight to spring!
I’d like to see us stop shaming each other.
I’d like to see the pandemic end.
I’d like to see people work to live and not live to work.
I’d like to see people put down their phones when they go out to dinner. If they don’t, does that mean we should call them on it?
I’d like to see the Ravens end their losing streak.
I’d like to see the US Congress end their losing streak, too.
I’d like every participant in last January’s attack on our democratic republic to be held accountable for their actions.
I’d like people to recognize the value in compromise.
I’d like people to recognize that the choice is not always between “my way” or the “highway”. Maybe it’s the “right way” we should be choosing.
I’d like to see people learn from history; not run from it.
I’d like adults to stop telling kids that they weren’t good at math, either…as if that is justification for them not trying.
I’d like to see pedestrians walk on the proper side of the road, facing traffic.
I’d like to see parents stop allowing their youngsters to ride a wobbly bike in the middle of the street while wearing earbuds, totally oblivious to the dangers that they neither see nor hear.
I’d like people to realize that unruly behaviors and violence in our schools is just not the problem of the schools. It’s a community problem.
I’d like us to realize that at some point before age 18 it becomes clear that there are some children for whom going to college should not be the ultimate goal. It is possible to lead a happy life by performing a valuable trade instead.
I’d like people to realize that my previous two wishes are ultimately tied together. Perhaps one has a bearing on the other.
I’d like to see someone other than a woman be tried, convicted, and imprisoned for the sexual abuse and rapes of the young girls in the Epstein/Maxwell case…no matter who or how powerful they may be!

I’m realizing that I could go on forever with my random list of wishes and concerns, so I’ll stop. After awhile I’ll need a soapbox and I’d rather avoid that. Most won’t come to fruition anyway. I’ve wished most of these things for years and suppose I’ll continue to do so. Some things don’t change.

The weather, however, changes all of the time, and 2022 will waste no time in demonstrating just that fact.

Today will be mostly cloudy with areas of patchy fog and temperatures residing somewhere near 60 degrees. Conditions should remain mostly dry for outdoor festivities as the rain is expected to hold off until well after midnight and closer to tomorrow morning..

As a storm system unfolds across the center of the country, portions of the Plains will ring in the New Year with a RealFeel® temperature of -15º F: https://t.co/r3tiUGgqBA pic.twitter.com/rsjpaFb1FN

— Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) December 30, 2021

A steady rain tomorrow morning will lead to scattered New Years Day afternoon showers with a high temperature in the upper 60’s. 70 degrees is not out of the question for some.

Residents of the Northeast are in for a reality check shortly after the ball drops on a mild New Year's Eve. https://t.co/mvxREeYFtQ pic.twitter.com/ua0Al7mM6B

— Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) December 31, 2021

Rain is expected to become steady again tomorrow night with winds increasing.

Now that the forecast is out of the way I can offer you lovers of classic rock, who are celebrating at home this evening with your own playlists, the opportunity to ring-in your New Year precisely at midnight, without all of the party favors, and COVID hugs and kisses, by listening to arguably the greatest “scream” in rock music history.

Turn it up loud. It’s better than any old ball drop! And, it’s safe.

So, how do you do this? And who will you hear?

Press “Play” on the following video at precisely 11:52:15 PM is the answer to the first question.