Think spring?

Think again.While the calendar may say spring is only 16 days away, the most recent weather pattern has made it increasingly difficult to share that optimism.This week alone has served up several more nuisance snowfalls combined with bouts of sleet and freezing rain.Tuesday afternoon's offering dumped several inches of snow, which mixed with sleet and freezing rain last night into this morning.The weather forced Weatherly School District to delay school by three hours today. Other schools in Carbon and Schuylkill counties were on a two-hour delay and schools in Monroe County closed for the day.This winter has affected all of our lives in some form or fashion, from canceled events to more time spent indoors.Tara Gilbert Cellini sees the weather as a blessing. She posted on the Times News Facebook page, "Being in the house all day, I'm able to make nice dinners like the good old days. After we eat, my husband and I enjoy playing cards and other board games with our children. It's awesome family fun and we all look forward to it."Others reported falling on ice. MaryAnn McDonald Castka said, "I fell flat on my back hitting the back of my head. Didn't even know I was going down."Linda James Wechsler added, "A few days ago I was walking across our icy driveway to the garage when I slipped and fell down like a ton of bricks onto my back. I had to lay still for a few minutes to get my wits about me. I hit my head better good and thank goodness I only ended up with a huge egg on the back of my head. Now I walk like a penguin across the driveway."Lisa Johnson, Vice President of Public Relations & Marketing, Blue Mountain Health System couldn't give a specific number of injuries seen in the emergency room from weather-related falls this year since the hospital treats many ski-related injuries. "I can say that we have seen a slight increase in falls and weather related injuries over last year," Johnson said.The snow and icy conditions have made it hard on businesses as well.Car dealerships have been faced with the prospect of constantly cleaning off their huge inventory of vehicles and moving them around their car lot."Snow and ice removal is an ongoing process as the weather requires it," said Kevin Saul, sales manager of Lehighton Ford.However, when it comes to business, Saul said it's a double-edged sword.While the bitter cold has kept customers off the lots at night, the sale of 4-wheel-drive vehicles has spiked, as sales on those are up by 160 percent, Saul said."They don't have to dig out, they can plow through; I think that played a huge part in it," he said. "We're just thankful for business right now. "Light showers are expected early this afternoon, with heavier rain expected to move in by early evening.The National Weather Service said the precipitation will slowly change to rain, sleet, and snow after 10 p.m.Another 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected to fall overnight into Thursday.A winter storm watch is in effect from 7 this evening until 7 p.m. Thursday.When Sonja Lee Ritter saw the latest forecast on Facebook, she commented, "Enough is enough already bring on spring! LOL."Many people agreed.