unpredictability - The Latremie Post

La Niña’s Winter Forecast: What Seniors Should Expect

**La Niña Returns: What Seniors Need to Know About Winter Weather Impacts**

Forecasters have confirmed that La Niña has returned, bringing cooler-than-average Pacific Ocean temperatures that will shape U.S. weather this winter. This climate pattern is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle, but its effects vary widely by region.

Seniors, who often face unique challenges during extreme weather, need to pay close attention to these forecasts. Understanding how La Niña impacts local conditions can help retirees prepare for safety, health, and financial stability.

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### Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest: Cold and Snowy

La Niña typically delivers colder, wetter conditions to the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest. This year’s forecast suggests above-average snowfall and frigid temperatures.

Seniors in Montana, the Dakotas, and Washington should prepare for higher heating costs and more frequent snow removal. For retirees in rural areas, icy roads and heavy snow can increase isolation and limit access to medical care.

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### Southern States: Warmer but Drier

From California through Texas and across to Florida, warmer-than-average temperatures are expected. While this reduces the risk of dangerous cold snaps, it raises concerns about drought and wildfire risks.

Seniors in the Southwest may face higher water bills and respiratory health challenges due to poor air quality. For those who moved south to escape harsh winters, La Niña’s warmth could bring new challenges instead of relief.

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### Midwest and Northeast: Icy and Unpredictable

Forecasts for the Midwest and Northeast suggest mixed conditions, with some areas experiencing above-average precipitation and others trending warmer.

Seniors in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York may face icy rain events instead of consistent snowfall. Ice storms pose serious risks for older adults, increasing the likelihood of falls and power outages. Retirement communities in these regions are urging residents to limit outdoor activity during freezing rain and to keep emergency supplies on hand.

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### Southeast: Mild but Costly

Georgia, Alabama, and Florida are expected to experience above-normal temperatures. While this reduces the chance of severe cold snaps, it can extend energy costs as air conditioning use persists longer into winter.

Seniors on fixed incomes may feel the financial strain of higher utility bills. Even mild winters can carry hidden costs that retirees should plan for in advance.

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### A Weak but Disruptive La Niña

Experts caution that this La Niña is expected to be weak and short-lived, likely fading by late winter. Its strongest influence will be felt in December and January, with a transition back to neutral conditions by spring.

Even a weak La Niña can disrupt storm tracks and precipitation patterns. For seniors, unpredictability means preparation is more important than prediction.

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### Emotional Impact on Seniors

Extreme weather doesn’t just affect finances — it impacts emotional well-being. Seniors often experience heightened anxiety during storms, especially if they live alone or rely on medical devices that require electricity.

The fear of being cut off from family, healthcare, or food supplies can be as damaging as physical risks. Communities that prioritize senior outreach during La Niña events can help reduce isolation and ensure retirees feel supported.

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### Preparing for Region-Specific Risks

Practical steps can help seniors stay safe during La Niña’s winter.

– Those in colder regions should apply early for heating assistance and winterize their homes.
– Retirees in drought-prone areas should monitor advisories and prepare for water restrictions.
– In icy regions, seniors should keep emergency supplies ready for outages and stay connected to local weather alerts.

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### Seniors Must Plan Ahead

La Niña will dominate early winter weather across the U.S., but its impacts will vary sharply by region. For seniors, preparation tailored to local conditions is essential.

Whether it’s bracing for snow in the North, drought in the South, or ice in the Midwest, retirees who plan ahead can navigate the season safely and confidently. Awareness and preparation are the keys to staying secure this winter.

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Dave Hyde: A day for Diana Nyad, and a reunion of ‘two Fort Lauderdale girls’

**Diana Nyad Honored with Plaque at Fort Lauderdale Beach**

FORT LAUDERDALE — It was Diana Nyad’s day, her moment, and her stage as a plaque was unveiled honoring her life achievements at the very Fort Lauderdale beach where she played as a child.

Pointing up East Las Olas Boulevard to a bridge she’d walk over each day from her home on Desota Drive, Nyad, now 76, said, “This plaque is right where I’d come with my family from the time I was in second grade through high school.”

There was another girl who grew up just a few miles away — someone she met in Fort Lauderdale during the 1960s. They’d read about each other in the paper and often found themselves the only two girls at athletic awards banquets, so they would sit together.

“Chris, come in here for a picture,” Nyad called to Chris Evert, the tennis legend, as a photographer waited. The two friends have known each other for six decades, and now they smiled under the plaque that read, “Marathon Swimmer Diana Nyad.”

Nyad’s success is etched in history, from being the first to swim Lake Ontario north to south at age 24, to becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Key West without a shark cage at age 64.

“I’m in absolute awe of her,” said Evert.

When told people say the same about her 18 Grand Slams, Evert responded, “I didn’t nearly die in those like she nearly did.”

Nyad nearly died after being stung by the highly venomous box jellyfish on one of her failed attempts to swim from Cuba. She failed three more times before finally succeeding. Those failures are all part of her achievement — the full journey that actresses Annette Bening and Jodie Foster brought to life in the 2023 movie, *Nyad*.

No one else who failed in attempting to cross the Florida Straits ever tried again — except Nyad.

It was that indomitable spirit that filled the ceremony with a few hundred family members, friends, politicians, and members of Nyad’s support team, who wore uniform T-shirts emblazoned with their motto: “Find A Way.”

Nyad continuously found her own way — from coming out as gay at 21 to swimming around Manhattan in a record seven hours and 58 minutes at age 26, a record for both men and women. She never felt hemmed in by what people thought — or later, by her age.

Swimming the 103 miles from Cuba to Key West in 52 hours, 54 minutes, and 11 seconds was impressive enough. But doing it at age 64? That was extraordinary.

“I faced challenges, but my challenges were within the line of the tennis court,” Evert said during a speech about Nyad. “You took on the ocean. The jellyfish. The sharks. The waves. The unpredictability of it all. And you did it with the belief that the human spirit can’t be held down at 64.”

Once role models for young Broward girls on how to excel as athletes, Nyad and Evert have gone on to be role models for how to age with courageous dignity — Nyad with that monumental swim, and Evert with her public battle against cancer in recent years.

Their story also highlights a broader issue. When Lynette Long conducted a study of Florida plaques in 2017, she found that just six of 950 honored women. Long has since pushed for ceremonies like Thursday’s honoring Nyad. Another ceremony is in the works for Evert.

“Two Fort Lauderdale girls,” said Evert, 70, at one point during the event.

Nyad attended Pine Crest School, while Evert went to St. Thomas Aquinas. Although Nyad was five years older, they forged a friendship in the way the best in any field do — occasionally crossing paths and supporting each other’s successes over the years.

Nyad visited Wimbledon twice and saw Evert there, even interviewing her for television after her final match in 1989. She also fondly remembers bumping into Evert at a Fort Lauderdale store years ago.

“Chris, Wimbledon!” Nyad exclaimed. “I saw your picture in the paper!”

Nyad punctuates the story by saying her picture was small compared to Evert’s larger headlines.

Evert laughs and admits she doesn’t remember the moment. But here they are, all these years later — two Fort Lauderdale girls standing under a plaque of achievement, getting their picture taken together.

“I love you,” Nyad said. “I’m so glad you came.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Evert replied.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/06/dave-hyde-a-day-for-diana-nyad-and-a-reunion-of-two-fort-lauderdale-girls/

You can’t waive a promise

While the government has temporarily halted loan recovery, this relief cannot be extended for years or indefinitely unless banks are directed to restructure loans or defer recovery for a longer period. Soon, farmers will have to start repaying their credit or risk being tagged as defaulters. This status would shut the doors to fresh loans, leaving many farmers unable to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides for the upcoming crop.

In such a dire situation, there will be no sowing, no harvest, and consequently, no income. The farming community, already struggling under a severe crisis, will be pushed further into debt and deeper trouble. This clearly indicates the urgent need for immediate relief to help farmers get back on their feet.

A loan waiver has become a survival necessity for two main reasons: first, recent rains have washed away crops; and second, the ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP—promised during the 2024 assembly campaign to wipe out all farmers’ loan books. However, over eight months after coming to power, the alliance has so far delayed implementing this loan waiver.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies, Shinde and Pawar, repeatedly assure that the promise has not been forgotten and that the waiver will be implemented at the appropriate time—though that time has yet to arrive. Given the current crisis of “wet drought,” now would be the ideal moment to fulfill this promise.

### Is a Loan Waiver the Right Solution?

Despite the promise and urgency, many experts believe that a loan waiver may not provide immediate relief to farmers. In reality, waivers tend to benefit banks more than the farmers themselves. The waiver money goes directly to lenders, helping financial institutions recover dues, but does little to solve the underlying distress faced by farmers. It does not put fresh capital into the hands of those who desperately need funds to cultivate the upcoming crop, typically sown in winter and harvested during March and April. Without such capital, the cycle of distress is bound to continue.

### Climate Change and Farming Risks

Another major challenge is the unpredictability of weather. Due to climate change, delayed, excessive, or insufficient monsoon spells have made farming increasingly risky. State government records reveal that over the past nine years, 519 lakh hectares of farmland across Maharashtra have been damaged due to unseasonal rains. Even Chief Minister Fadnavis recently acknowledged the toll climate change is taking on the agricultural sector during his visit to flood-affected areas in Marathwada and Solapur.

### Historical Context of Loan Waivers

Loan waivers are not new to Indian politics. In 2008, the UPA government announced a nationwide loan waiver scheme which reportedly benefited 70 lakh farmers from Maharashtra. In 2017, then-CM Devendra Fadnavis implemented a ₹34,000 crore waiver aimed at bailing out around 67 lakh debt-ridden farmers. Two and a half years later, in 2020, CM Uddhav Thackeray followed up with another waiver.

Agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan famously warned, “If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right.” This emphasizes that farmers need not just financial support, but also policy reforms and better access to resources.

### The Need for a Well-Planned Financial Package

A well-planned, sizable financial package could make a real difference. Direct support to farmers will ensure they receive immediate assistance to regain lost ground and attempt a comeback from the current crisis. Failure by the government to meet these basic needs could trigger severe consequences, such as rising debt levels, increased prices for essential commodities, and inflation.

Additionally, inadequate support may force many farmers to migrate to cities, potentially leading to social unrest. The human cost is stark: not all, but many farmer suicides are linked to financial distress. The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report shows that in 2023, 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers took their own lives, with Maharashtra accounting for nearly 39% of these tragic deaths. In 2025 alone, 767 farmers died by suicide in Maharashtra, highlighting a deepening crisis in the sector.

### Political Assurances and Immediate Relief

Aware of this gravity, Eknath Shinde, in his recent Dussehra rally speech, promised every possible governmental and party support to pull farmers out of the crisis. Besides offering assurances, Shinde even pleaded with farmers not to take extreme steps.

Currently, as interim relief, farmers are being provided with ₹10,000 in cash along with 10 kg each of rice and wheat. However, what farmers truly need is not temporary aid, but sizeable and swift relief to survive today, accompanied by comprehensive loan waiver packages to help them rebuild sustainably.

### Conclusion

Without substantial and timely intervention, farmers will remain trapped in a vicious cycle of debt and distress. The future of Maharashtra’s agriculture and the livelihoods of millions depend on proactive, sustained support that goes beyond temporary fixes. The government must act decisively to translate promises into concrete actions before it is too late.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/you-cant-waive-a-promise-23597114