STORM TRACK: January 31, 1983 (Volume 6 Issue 2)

A new year begins. How many times past has each of us paused on this occasion, wondering at what the spring will bear. For those who mark the calender only as a passage to or from the great storms, we note the passing of the winter solstice, lengthening of days and rising temperature. The snow will go to sleet, and then to rain. The river goes from ice to flood to sea. And chasers, patient, listen to an unseen stirring -- tugging at bare limbs, curling scraps of paper 'cross a driveway, to the street, to the highway . . .

Storm Track pauses to note that the author of our recent series, History of Thunderstorm Forecasting, is not the only talented member of the Weaver family. John's wife, Freda, is an accomplished artist who produces exquisite miniature water color paintings on "First Day Cover" envelopes. These are mailing envelopes on which are placed new postage issues, and which are then sent in to be cancelled on the first day of issue (A design is often placed on the left side of the envelope to coincide with the theme of the stamp).

A special note to the Southern Region NWS offices, which received the last issue of ST. I failed to mention it in your copies, but you now have an annual subscription through next November 30, courtesy of the Regional Office. Thus, the subscription renewal notice in that issue did not apply to you. Sorry if this caused some confusion.

Also, a correction to the last ST which should have read Volume 6, No. 1 (another penalty of the late night preparation of these newsletters, when the Editor isn't always awake).