A year later, a much warmer winter

STERLING – A year ago today, most people stayed home. Many businesses closed. Plows ruled the roads. Kids made snowmen.

Today marks the anniversary of the big blizzard of 2011. Sauk Valley residents woke up to 11 to 15 inches of snow that fell overnight.

That storm is a far cry from the balmy weather of late. In January, the Sauk Valley saw a few small snowfalls. But most of that has melted. All that remains are mountains of snow created by snowplow drivers.

Lately, the mercury has risen to the 40s and even the 50s. Some people have shed their winter coats. Others have spent more time outside.

It was a bit colder Wednesday, but that didn’t stop Sterling residents Jube and Sylvia Manzano from walking the paths at Sinnissippi Park.

Jube, 66, usually walks in the park, even in the winter. But Sylvia, 65, often stays away when it’s cold, afraid she may slip and fall.

But that hasn’t been the case so often this year. Wednesday, the paths were dry, completely clear of snow and ice.

“It’s beautiful out,” Jube said.

The construction of the new New Life Lutheran Church building has had few down days this winter. It is going up on Lynn Boulevard, in the area of Newman Central Catholic High School.

On Wednesday afternoon, a number of workers were on the roof.

“We’ve been really blessed with the weather. It’s really extraordinary,” said Bill Sullivan, New Life’s pastor.

For a few days, high winds kept workers from erecting steel beams because of OSHA regulations. But for the most part, the project has continued, he said.

The church plans to move into the building by September, even if it isn’t entirely finished, he said.

The average high temperature in January was 28.9 degrees, up from a historic average of 22.6 degrees, according to the National Weather Service station in the Quad Cities.

In December, the average temperature was 34.1 degrees, more than the normal of 26.6.

“Anytime you get 5 degrees or more over the average, that’s remarkable,” meteorologist Jim Hladik said.

In the Quad Cities, this season’s snowfall is about a third of the normal level. So far, the area has received 10.1 inches, down from the 30.4-inch average at this point in the season.