A Great Winter Day On The Boardwalk

What a glorious winter Friday in Ocean City, Maryland! Bright sunshine, blue skies, afternoon temperature about 42, light wind. The surf is light and the ocean looks almost glassy.

Comfortable weather, for January. I took the picture of the clock at North Division Street to show what a pretty day it is, and now I realize that it shows a wide-open expanse of boardwalk. Although the picture doesn't show it, the weather brought people out to walk, and several stores were open.

I wish I could guarantee that Saturday and Sunday will be exactly the same. But no one can guarantee the weather. According to the Weather Channel, the Ocean City forecast is for even warmer temperatures on Saturday, to the high 40s, but overcast with a 50 percent chance of showers. For Sunday, the forecast if for a high of 40 and morning showers.

I read the above forecast as at least a 50 percent chance that it won't rain Saturday, and a high probability that Sunday morning rain will give way to a nice afternoon. Hey, this is very pleasant January forecast, compared to the cold and snow they're getting in the Great Planes and the Midwest. Very cold air is supposed to move down from Canada next week, bringing more snow of course, but I think the Eastern Shore will feel only the chilly edges of that system. Am I an optimist or what?

BTW, can anyone explain to me why the price of gasoline is going up again, after falling in November and December? The price here is up to $1.59 for regular, and I understand the price is trending higher most everywhere. CNBC reports tankers filled with oil waiting offshore. One commentator suggested that the U.S. should take this opportunity to fill the national oil reserve, because prices will likely go higher in the future.

Coming up next, Ocean City Blog will speculate on the outlook for the Jan. 17-20 long weekend, and we'll also get back to our series of pictures about boardwalk tradition and long-standing businesses.