It’s that time of year again.

That time when New Englanders brace themselves for frigid cold and monstrous snowstorms, followed by thaws, warm temperatures, and rain.

I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about. We face the ups and downs of a New England winter every year.

In fact, we are in the midst of the extremes right now. Last Thursday we experienced the “bomb cyclone”, this past weekend the wind chill was far in the negatives, and coming up at the end of this week, it’s forecast to be 50 degrees with rain.

So, how are we expected to face so many different weather patterns in such a short span of time?

First of all, when those bomb cyclones do come, you’ve got to be prepared with a warm fire, a cozy blanket, and a cup of hot chocolate. You’ll be curled up inside the entire day, except for when you need to venture outside to shovel the dozens of inches of snow that have likely fallen.

When we were younger, these days were even better, because we’d be off from school, and have nothing to do but relax all day. As I am now experiencing though, snow days where I don’t drive into work are days where I’m still expected to work 8 hours in my house, in between all the shoveling. If this is you, take comfort in the fact that you won’t have to commute there and back, saving you some hours, and that you are getting paid. (You can still have cup of hot chocolate and sit by the fire while you do your work, too).

What about those days when the temperatures are in the negatives, and the real feel is about 20 degrees lower? You’re best off staying inside, but when you do go out, you better be prepared with as many layers as possible. The best judge really is making yourself look unrecognizable- cover every inch of your face. I’d even consider wearing goggles over your eyes on the worst days.

Now, during these snowy and cold days, harsh as they may be, many of us (including myself), will enjoy the beauty of snow and be happy that we are experiencing rightful winter weather.

But then the thaw comes…

Some of you, when hearing that it is supposed to be 50 degrees at the end of this week, may rejoice, because you’ve never really enjoyed the cold, and wish winter wasn’t a thing (so maybe New England isn’t for you??).

Others, like me, wish that Mother Nature could just do her job and keep it cold. That white beautiful snow blanket outside? It will be decimated with this warm weather and unfavorable precipitation that shall not be named. And if you’re a skier, you’re definitely mourning the all-too-common “January thaw”.

Surely, more cold weather and snow will follow, and winter will be returned to its white glory. But until then, we’ll break out our spring coats, shorts, and flip flops, because it will feel like the middle of summer out there.

The definition of winter weather in New England is this: a roller coaster. And that is what we expect, isn't it?