FORECAST| FROM PAGE 1 it will change” (often attributed to Mark Twain, who gave a dinner speech about New England weather on Dec. 23, 1876). One of the times when that quote springs to life happens to be tomorrow, Christmas Eve itself and then Christmas Day Sunday, no precipitation at all is forecast for the weekend after Friday, so a White Christmas for 2023 appears to be out of the question. With much lower gasoline prices, over 113 million travelers THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 23, 2022 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 Holiday travelers are expected to fill the roads beginning today and continuing through January 2. With Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both falling on Sunday this year and lower gas prices, travel is expected to be driven up to nearly 113 million drivers traveling 50 miles or more. (Courtesy Photo) this weekend, which will feature buckets of rain today in the greater Boston area, followed by a precipitous, rollercoaster-like drop of temperature that will bring frigid temperatures for Saturday’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Sunday. According to most forecasts, while temperatures are expected to be downright balmy today and tonight, into the high 50s and near 60, they will then plunge into the low 20s by Saturday morning, in a span of less than 12 hours. Accompanied by high and gusty winds, the unpredictable wind chill factor will make it seem like the low digits and close to zero degrees! A large storm system bringing heavy rain to Eastern Massachusetts and New England is predicted – a major storm affecting the entire East Coast, from the Canadian border in the north to the southern United States. A high wind warning is in effect for most of eastern Massachusetts from Friday morning to Saturday morning and a coastal flood watch through Friday afternoon. Forecasters are saying the biggest concern with this storm is the wind though the worst of the rain is expected to be this morning, with downpours for the commute, and then more heavy rain through the midday. After the drenching rains, which are expected to dissipate by early evening, the warmer, high 50s temperatures will plummet rapidly. After 9:00 tonight and continuing into the early morning hours, the temperature is expected to drastically fall close to 40 degrees in 9-10 hours, to the low 20s and high teens. Alas, while there will be frigid temperatures in the 20s and wind chills to the low single digits for both Christmas Eve Day expected to be hitting the roads this holiday season According to the AAA, 112.7 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home in the United States between today, December 23 and Monday, January 2. It comes as New England is experiencing some of the lowest gasoline prices since May 2021, while heavy rains and high winds might affect holiday travel across the state. According to the AAA, about 102 million people are expected to drive to their holiday destinations this year, up about 2 million motorists from the 2021 holiday season. The number of 2022 motorists is in line with 2018 levels but down from pre-pandemic 2019, when a record 108 million motorists drove to their holiday destinations. “This year, travel time will be extended due to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on Sundays,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel for AAA. “With hybrid work schedules, we are seeing more people take long weekends to travel because they can work remotely at their destination and be more flexible with the days they depart and return.” Air travel is expected to rise by 14 percent to 7.2 million passengers this year from 2021. In 2019, 7.3 million passengers traveled by air. Travel by bus, rail and cruise ship is projected to rise by 23% to 3.6 million people this holiday season from last year. That’s almost 94% of 2019 travel volumes. Statewide, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.41. Nationwide, the price is $3.104, down from $3.68 in November and $3.30 at the same time last year. past, my mother was very special. Strong, protective, loving – she was adored by all and had a way of making each and every person feel special (whether she liked you or not!). Our friends became her friends over the years, and she just might have fed every single one of them. The Facebook posts honoring her life were what makes social media special in such tragic times. Moms would have loved to have read them and would have bragged unabashedly about one particular photo of her shoveling snow reaching almost 300 likes. My saint of a mother shoveling her sidewalk on Charles Street as her four big strong boys slept through the morning. They don’t make them like Dorothy Drago Levine any longer. For mom, her favorite Dr. Seuss Christmas quote: “And the Grinch, with his Page 7 Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” Postscript 1: I love Malden during the holiday season. It is ingrained in my heart and soul – made extra special with memories of my late mom on Christmas morning. With that said…one of my favorite Boston Globe columnists, Beverly Beckham, wrote this on a recent Sunday: “Maybe this is the miracle of Christmas, not only that the heart remembers but that it speaks. And we listen. And while we do, it’s not the craziness and busyness of the season that we feel. It’s a kind of peace mixed with joy and love and gratitude. For what was. And for who was. And who is. And for all the Christmases past and this next one that’s yet to come.” Merry Christmas and happy new year, Malden! Postscript 2: It won’t soon replace “It’s a Wonderful Life” as the holiday go-to, but the 1964 Rod Serling–penned “Carol for Another Christmas” is a minor classic and is worth the watch. Postscript 3: On the tragic Christmas season passing of John Esposito – to Debbie: please remember – life carries on and love continues, stay strong and we will keep “John John” in our thoughts and in our hearts. Postscript 4: To my grandchildren Christian, Lola, Jack, Lana and Milo – thank you. Thank you for taking me along with you through another magical holiday season. WE CAN HELP PAY YOUR HEATING BILLS! You may qualify for ABCD’s Fuel Assistance Program and be eligible for as much as $2,200 towards your heating costs (oil, gas, or electric). Maximum benefit is $2,200 Household of 1 = $42,411 Household of 2 = $55,461 Household of 3 = $68,511 Household of 4 = $81,561 Cold days are coming. ABCD’s got you covered. APPLY TODAY! Last day to apply is April 30, 2023 Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA — 617.357.6012 Residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn: 18 Dartmouth Street, Malden, MA — 781.322.6284
8 Publizr Home