The approaching winter season is right around the corner and Omaha is in for the wild ride. This 2018/19 season has been predicted to be a record cold winter for Nebraska. How will the citizens of Omaha react to the drastic change? It will definitely be a test of patience and preparation.

Many have heard of the severe winter season that is coming towards Omaha, although there are several who are not fully educated on the matter. “I’m not aware of the signs showing a bad winter because I don’t pay much attention to the news. There are also a lot more important things happening that they fell the need to talk about instead,” sophomore Abbey Pelowski said. This common trend of not watching the news could lead to many misinformed people when it comes to the conditions of the roads, traffic, accidents, and basic updates.

Besides the local news, there are many others resources for others to become knowledgeable over the situation at hand. The Old Farmer’s Almanac stated, “winter will be milder than normal, with above-normal precipitation. The coldest periods will be in mid- and late December and early January.”

Those that have kept up with the weather predictions and such, can speak for the people of the city on what should be done. “It will truly test what the city of Omaha’s action plan is for the streets system, and if they have enough brine, salt, and employees hired to where of we had a real snow storm they’d be able to handle it,” French teacher Sara Evans said. Having the community getting involved in city-wide issues is important for a fully-functioning city.

Along with the effects that the upcoming winter season will have on the natural side of things, people and their everyday activities will be temporarily altered. “I will possibly have to get up earlier for my commute, shovel my driveway, and bundle my son up before he goes to daycare, which all just adds more time to my day,” Mrs. Evans said. This weather affects everyone very differently, but boils down to a travel inconvenience. Pelowski said, “[the snow] is going to make it a lot harder to get to school, and when I get off the bus I’m going to have to walk through all the snow.”

The talk of the hindrances that the season will put onto people is large part of the conversation of winter, but many also love the snow and take advantage of many cold days. “I love sledding. Sledding is my favorite, and my son had never been sledding so I’m excited to do that with him,” Mrs. Evans said. Having a positive outlook on this winter season will surely create an environment of happiness around the holidays.