In true Missouri fashion, the weather has jumped down to the teens and up to the fifties these past couple weeks. However, the East Coast definitely got the short end of the stick after its recent winter weather atrocity— the “bomb cyclone.”

The winter storm was termed the “bomb cyclone” by forecasters due to its sharp drops in atmospheric pressure. True to its name, the storm pummeled streets with sheets of ice and snow last Thursday and Friday. In Boston, record high tides flooded a subway station and schools all along the East Coast closed their doors. Temperatures dropped as low as 45 degrees below zero and the wind chill was at a reported 100 degrees below zero in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

Over 4,000 flights were canceled and more than 2,000 were delayed returning to and departing from East Coast airports. Some flights were redirected in the air to avoid the treacherous conditions. In the Atlantic, a Norwegian cruise liner returning from the Bahamas found itself facing 30 foot waves thanks to the “bomb cyclone.” The cruise safely docked, but passengers were definitely shaken.

Meanwhile, temperatures in Australia climbed to a suffocating 117.14 degrees. Roadways literally melted and it was only one degree away from matching Australia’s record temperature of 118.04 degrees in 1939. Fires have torn apart the dry land and forced residents in Melbourne to evacuate. The fire is now under control, but has still taken a toll on the natural vegetation and grasslands.

Looking past the “bomb cyclone” and Australian heat wave, there are not currently any major weather warnings. Predictions from the National Weather Service predict warmerthan normal temperatures along the southern states flowing up into the Northeast. The Northwest is set to be colder than normal in states like Washington and North Dakota. In our neck of the woods, temperatures are set to flow with the normal averages. This means a steady rise to the upper 40s and 50s in February and a continuous climb into spring.

We haven’t quite made it past winter weather yet, and the conditions in both Australia and here in the United States pose a major risk to those without access to air conditioning or heating. It is important to take time and reflect on the many blessings we have in our lives, like a warm place to sleep and a roof over our heads. We should keep first responders, plumbers and electricians in our prayers as they scramble to make places like Boston and New York liveable after this nightmarish weather.