For the most part, this week’s weather forecast has been pleasant. Aside from one rainy day, the weather was a nice change from last week, when it looked, smelled and tasted gray. Each day began and ended the same: the anticipation of a large storm brewing that never happened, ending the day with a drizzling whimper and gray skies. The last week of winter was a low point. The grass was a sickly yellow with drab shades of gray, green and brown from the waste of animals and cars passing by – it was an eyesore and borderline biohazard. The amount of waste that we accept in our surroundings is astonishing: from garbage on the grass to in the water that we use daily.

In my opinion, talking about the weather is like picking out details in a painting. Some details make themselves very clear, such as heavy rain, snow or the bright light from the sun. Light details like a drizzle take longer to notice. Sleet encapsulates the worst for a cold, miserable experience that lacks the relaxing presence of rain nor the natural beauty of falling snow. 

From my experience, weather can be one of the most general conversation starters. You can go up to anybody and ask them about the weather; a default response is almost formulaic. From my personal experience, though, the weather doesn’t come up in conversation unless my parents warn me to wear a jacket out of fear that I might end up with a cold. 

Personally, my primary source of weather information is my phone. A quick look at the screen and I get today’s updates and predictions.

However, the weatherman is still an enjoyable way to watch and hear about the weather. Some broadcast a young and full-of-life reporter eager to talk about the forecast while others showcase a more seasoned, experienced reporter. Both are different, but serve the same universal purpose: updating us on what seems to be everchanging weather. 

One thing I’ve observed about the weather is that no two years have the same weather on the same days. Summer is like a stubborn kid who refuses to leave with its melting heat. Similar to a butterfly flapping its wings, a distant hurricane in the deep south can turn autumn from a relaxing reprieve to scorched Earth. Each year, there seems to be another tug-of-war between winter and summer, all of which is getting more erratic and extreme under the looming boogeyman that is climate change. 

It’s difficult to avoid negativity when all I’m bombarded with are images of melting ice caps and bickering politicians and scientists online. There are many ways to start the conversation about climate change and its required multifaceted solutions, but that is far beyond my pay grade. 

Regardless, these disparate aspects come together in what I believe encompasses weather: Partly cloudy with a hint of anticipation, climate change and a chance of showers.