By Sue KILPATRICK

“March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.”

~ English Proverb

This well known saying is most likely derived from the observation that March begins in the winter and ends in the spring. Thus being so, we could expect fierce (like a lion) storms at the beginning of the month and calm (like a lamb), temperate sunshiny days towards the end.

Overall, March is a month of very changeable weather. This year is no exception; the weather is so confused that the Lion and Lamb can be found lying right next to each other within just a few days. Here in the foothills, the month started with snow covered mountains, the result of a record setting snowstorm. Rainstorms, on and off, brought our season totals to 33.82 inches (so far).

The lion, whose stubborn presence has been ever lurking, has now been chased out of the area by a lamb.

Enjoy the warm days this week, with highs reaching into the low 90s! By this weekend – yes, there is a slight possibility of a marine layer and light rain. April 1 being April Fool’s Day, I guess we couldn’t escape a little weather trickery!

The history of April Fool’s Day is generally unknown, but there is one tale that seems to make the most sense.

In 16th Century France, the start of the new year was observed sometime late March/ early April. Then in 1562 Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and changed the start of the year to Jan. 1.

Some people refused to believe or acknowledge this calendar change and others didn’t even hear of it until several years after. News traveled slowly in those days. So, knowingly or unknowingly, they continued to recognize April 1 as New Year’s Day. These people were considered and labeled “April Fools” by everyone else. Over time, the custom of playing pranks or tricks to believe that something false was true became part of this day.

In reading this odd mixture of history and folklore, including lions, lambs, and April fools, one could surmise people have always tried to make sense of the world they live in and add a little fun in doing so.

As you venture out Thursday to pick up your CV Weekly, the weather could be mistaken for that of a summer day – as Santa Ana winds blow heat across the foothills. The night will also remain relatively warm in the upper 50s. This will be short lived; by Sunday expect cloudy skies and temperatures in the low to mid 60s.

Next week will remain cool-daytimes in the low 70s and nights around 50 degrees. As mentioned there may be drizzle, enough for an umbrella? We’ll see …

As said by computer scientist Rob Knauerhase, “Isn’t it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fool’s Day and ends with the cries of ‘May Day!’?”

Sue Kilpatrick is a longtime CV resident and amateur weather watcher. Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick, weather