It was nothing but warm sun and blue sky during Thursday’s lunch hour in downtown Norwich. Walkers enjoyed 60 degree temperatures and store owners had their doors propped wide open, soaking up what some were hoping was the first sign that winter is finally over.
Soft-Tech Computers Inc. employee Corey Jones was the one exception. He doesn’t care if the nice weather comes or goes.
“I moving to Myrtle Beach Saturday,” boasted Jones, of Greene, who is taking a job at one of Soft-Tech’s new locations in South Carolina.
While Jones may not have a vested interest in the upstate forecast, those who still do hope yesterday’s hint of spring is here to stay.
The National Weather Service out of Binghamton indicates that winter might have a little snow left to squeak out. While the 5-day forecasts claims Norwich will see high’s ranging from 48 to 61 degrees over the next five days, it’s also expected that temperatures will get below freezing tonight and tomorrow night, with a good chance of rain possibly mixing with snow on Saturday. According to the weather service, Sunday and Monday look like the most promising days for sunshine.
Wayne Vierra, Jones’ co-worker at Soft-Tech, said he knows better than to trust one day of nice weather.
“I don’t trust New York weather,” said Vierra, a Sherburne resident. “It could be sunny and warm one-minute, and raining and snowing the next.”
Despite the fact that April is only ten days away, a pessimistic Vierra admitted he was somewhat jealous of those departing for warmer climates.
“I’m stuck up here – they need someone to shovel the snow,” he said. “But as long as this weather holds out, I can’t complain.”
Equestrian Maria Langille said the longer daylight hours have been wonderful. Now she just has her fingers crossed in the hopes that warmer weather is on the way, so she and her kids can be outside and in the saddle more often.
“Being able to ride in the daylight and be outside in the meadow is great,” said Langille, of Norwich. “I love the outdoors.”
Jan Rowe, of Norwich, claims all will be well soon.
“April 1 is my cut-off for all this white stuff,” she said. “The robins will be out and the birds will be chirping – it will be great.”
When asked if her April 1 cut-off for snow has ever been extended, Rowe said, “Yeah.”
“But we just have to ignore it,” she said. “You have to have a lot of positive thoughts.”