Hey Mother Nature, We Could Use Some Snow!
Stick with me here for a second, I know that I’m in the minority wishing for snow. But, what most people don’t realize is that the amount of snow we receive each year has a direct impact on businesses and livelihoods throughout the region. Actually, it’s not just in our region, but throughout the entire country. Let me explain why.
Many folks don’t like snow, I get it, it can be an inconvenience. No one wants to wake up in the morning and see their driveway and car covered in snow. Now, you have to spend time going to shovel the driveway and clean off your car. Plus, it’s cold outside and you probably had to buy salt! Once you finally have those tasks taken care of, you jump in the car and make the journey to work, school, the grocery store, or wherever you may be going. If the snow storm has been bad enough, you have to drive slowly and cautiously while the road crews attempt to clear the snow. All while watching out for the inevitable driver that seems to be recklessly going too fast for the road conditions. Making it to your destination unscathed is a victory in and of itself. Trust me, I understand all of that and completely get why no snow is easier.
Now, try to look at it from another perspective with me. Many businesses are seasonal. And I don’t mean seasonal in the sense of Holiday Shopping, Back to School, or similar seasons. I’m talking about traditionally seasonal where they are impacted by the outdoor weather conditions of Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. The Green Industry is just one of many that are impacted by the seasons, especially in the Northern States. We certainly cannot cut grass or install new shrubs all year round, due to the seasonality of the weather we face. Therefore, we have to look at how to bring in revenue in the winter or “offseason” months. Many companies turn to Snow Removal Services, ours included.
Snow Removal is a tough service to offer. From trying to have employees ready to work at 2AM, to the salt eating away at the lifespan of our trucks, there are many obstacles to overcome. The largest obstacle, however, is the unpredictability of the weather. If I showed you my phone right now, you’d see I have 8-10 different weather apps downloaded, that are constantly being checked and compared. There are times when 0 out of 10 are correct and there are times when 9 out of 10 are correct. You just never know.
We do our best to try to prepare for each season so that our customers receive the best possible service. From checking the Farmer’s Almanac to all the local weather professionals’ pre-season projections, we cover it all. We have to, it impacts every employee that works for us, as well as our customers. We rely on it.
Weather Trends in Pittsburgh
What we’re starting to notice in our region, however, is that the weather pattern is changing. Global warming seems to be effecting our area more and more with each passing year. The winter months seem to be getting shorter, while the temperatures aren’t nearly as cold as they once were. Any time we receive precipitation, the temperatures rise and what was once snow, is now rain. When we were once plowing snow, we’re now pushing our sales staff to convince customers to complete landscape projects in the middle of January. 
Times are changing and so is the way that seasonal service providers have to think about their business. While our company may have a less than desirable winter season from a financial perspective, you can bet that we will be remembering this lesson moving forward into next winter.
What we’re witnessing in Pittsburgh this winter is looking closer to the new normal, compared to the cold and snowy winters of years past. So next time you see snow in the forecast, remember that while it may be a minor inconvenience for you, it can be an absolute necessity for someone else, the business they work for, as well as the livelihood of their family.
Now excuse me while I go perform a snow dance!
Talk Soon and Think Snow!
-Nathan
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