The snow has melted, the ground has thawed, and it’s been a while since we have had to check the temperature and the wind-chill factor before we head outside. But it will be a long time before people in the Northeast forget the record-setting winter of 2015. Bangor, Maine shivered through its coldest February on record, with an average temperature of 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Syracuse also set a record average low of 9 degrees F., Cleveland 14 degrees F. Boston enjoyed a relatively mild average in February of 19 degrees F., but had to deal, of course, with record-setting snow.
For those who work in the construction industry, this past winter provided a harsh reminder that the United States is made up of widely different climates. It also underscored the fact that codes and regulations need to be sensitive to varying climate conditions if they are to be both practical and effective.