The "drought" continues in weather metaphors

Fritz Coleman, a genial weather reporter on NBC network's local Los Angeles affiliate, recently reported the ending of a winter rain storm, almost singing with relief : "There'll be no more rain after Sunday." (and therefore) "There's light at the end of the tunnel."

No, no, no, Fritz! Bad metaphor. Light at the end of the tunnel indicates: "hope that there will be an end to a crisis" Concise Oxford Dictionary.

The crisis Southern California has been experiencing apart from the occasional earthquake and fire storms (see posting of 10/29/2007, "Putting out dangling element fires") has been one of drought and a perilous drop in the water table the past few years. Although the water table is replenished by water run off from melting snow in the mountains, rain during the winter may serve as an indicator of snowfall. Therefore, Mr. Coleman is misapplying the metaphor unintentionally, surely, for he must be aware of the prevailing drought conditions. He is reassuring the spoiled Southern California populace that the sun will once again light our days, the very sun we see most of the year.

People need to be educated, Fritz. Don't lead them astray with a casual metaphor. We should be seeking more rain/snow fall if we truly wish to see light at the end of the tunnel. Sunlight that is, which, with abundant rainfall, should make for a glorious springtime.