It was almost a white Christmas in South Lane; a day late, but residents didn’t seem to mind — unless they didn’t receive a shovel for the holiday.
Slick conditions from snow and ice compacting on the roads prompted late starts, cancellations and days off for students and the workforce on Dec. 26, 27 and 28 as six to eight inches accumulated in the Valley. At the first mention of snowfall in the forecast, retail employees at Springfield’s WalMart said they had runs on shovels, window scrapers and propane, and were wiped out of their inventory well before the flakes even began to fall.
Snow is great — depending on who you ask. For the Clark family, who is visiting family in Springfield from Dallas, Texas, the snow is a real treat. Jonathan and Mary Anne Clark, along with children Lillian (in teal jacket), 10, Edith, 8, and Arlo, 1, had fun chucking snowballs at one another on Tuesday, Dec. 28. ERIN TIERNEY/ THE CHRONICLE
Some, like the Clarks visiting from Dallas, Texas, found snow a welcoming sight. Remembering to pack their snow pants, boots and jackets while visiting family in Springfield for the holiday season, Jonathan and Mary Anne Clark, along with children Lillian, 10, Edith, 8, and Arlo, 1, ventured into the brisk, bright weather for snowball fights and snow angels as they meandered through town on Tuesday morning.
Springfield City Hall with ankle-deep snow on its stairs, above, and a business sign covered in snow in downtown Springfield.
No kids at play in the early hours of the Dec. 28 snowfall at Springfield’s Meadow Park.
Snow and rain is forecast for Thursday this week, with a high of 39, with mostly cloudy conditions carrying South Lane through the weekend, with highs in the low 40s.