IT’S TIME TO CONCEDE that something decidedly weird is going on regarding the weather in these parts. Don’t call it global warming if the political implications bother you, but do wonder and worry just a little regarding what Mother Nature or human exploitation of the planet are doing — pick your poison.

First, there was a flurry of normally rare tornados and high-wind bursts ripping through our community and knocking out trees that went unscathed for more than a century. Then there was a very mild “winter” and early spring that caused flowers/shrubs to bloom at least a month sooner than the norm ... and there was a lot of rain, too.

And now the latest: Three straight days of record-setting heat above 100 degrees. One tied the record for the date and two set new peak highs for any day, any year, for as long as such tallies have been kept locally.

Now really hot days are hardly unknown around here, with the “dog days of August” the usual offender. But to hit 107 in June? That’s like tornados slashing through the core of Rome instead of the Lindale or Turkey Mountain outskirts.

While Greater Rome has hardly been singled out — weather intensity has afflicted a lot of territory — our home place having become a continual, all-seasons punching bag should be noted.

Explanations would be nice, but probably unlikely and/or unacceptable given some entrenched opinions. However, the implications to general public safety and emergency planning for our community if such events are becoming a new pattern are rather important to consider. Not to mention that living in a “what’s next?” environment can be somewhat unsettling.