It was not nearly as cold as it was in the north-east United States, but Grand Bahama residents were yesterday bracing for another day of what meteorologists called the coldest snap of this winter season.
According to meteorologist, Trinard Tynes of the Freeport Weather Department, yesterday saw a high of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill factor making it feel like 48 degrees.
Some residents enjoyed the cool weather, dressing in warm jackets, caps, and even mittens.
But one resident, Patrick Laing, said he did not even need the extra attire as this type of weather suits him just fine.
“I’m enjoying this cold weather very much. I don’t like it when it’s hot because I get sticky; it makes me feel uncomfortable and restless. It seems like there is nothing to cool you down,” Mr. Laing said.
Another resident, Faye Laing, admitted that “it’s kind of cold” but she was enjoying it, while another resident, Khambrel Farrington, said this weather was “good cuddling weather”, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
“I don’t mind this at all,” Mr. Farrington said.
Ashburne Lewis, another Grand Bahamian, echoed similar sentiments.
“I’m enjoying it a lot, but in the evening time, I stay inside because it gets real cold and I bundle up or should I say, cuddle up,” Mr. Lewis said.
But another resident said it was just too cold and she was not enjoying the weather all.
In fact, it was so cold that District Superintendent of Freeport, Sandra Edgecombe, dismissed all public schools in her district half day on Monday because of the weather.
Mrs. Edgecombe told The Bahama Journal that “it was unbearably cold” and some students were not dressed appropriately for the weather. She said that some of the schools’ windows were not closing properly and so she felt the need to dismiss school.
Mrs. Edgecombe, who was bundled up herself, said she also asked the principals to be lenient in what the children will wear today, saying that if the weather persisted schools may also get out half today.
Mr. Tynes said last night was expected to be the coldest night of the week, with temperatures expected to plunge to 48 degrees Fahrenheit, with the wind chill factor making it feel like 35.
“Not only did we just recently have a passage of a strong cold front that brought all the cold temperatures, we have a secondary frontal boundary that has rapidly slipped through some time [Sunday] morning and all it did for this second one was to keep the colder temperatures over us. The winds are also going to stay on the strong side,” Mr. Tynes said.
However, for residents who prefer the warmer weather, good news is on the way.
Mr. Tynes said as the week continues it should get progressively warmer.
For the month of February, the lowest temperature recorded was 41.7 degrees in1996, although the coldest day on record for Grand Bahama was 39, when it snowed in January 1977.
By: Courtnee Romer, The Bahama Journal
