STRATFORD — Although not quite as well known as the long-established tempest on St. Patrick’s Day, Islanders are getting ready for the traditional St. Nestor of Magydos’ Day storm.
“Yeah, the St. Patrick’s Day storm is usually a snowstorm on or around March 17th. But I’ve always been a fan of St. Nestor of Magydos’ Day’s storms. They always happen exactly on February 25th — there’s no wiggle room,” says amateur theologian and weather watcher Peter Noonan.
[St. Nestor of Magydos Day storms] always happen exactly on February 25th — there’s no wiggle room.
Peter Noonan, weather and history nerd
“There was even one year that there was no storm the week before or after St. Patrick’s day! How can that be a tradition when there’s no storm?”
St. Nestor of Magydos’ Day storms are predictable and consistent, says Noonan.
“It’s a grey day, maybe slightly sunny. But it snows and it’s cold. And then it’s over — but it happens every year, like clockwork!”
Another aspect of St. Nestor of Magydos Day storms that differs from other, non-beatified storm days is a westerly wind due to a change in the jet stream, and a sense of anger at the Decian persecutions of 250 AD.
The Islander 