Islanders love to talk about the weather, and this winter has been no exception — except that the conversation is strikingly different. No snow save a couple of dustings and a late January dump of eight or nine inches of wet white stuff that melted away in the sunshine and mild temperatures over the next two days. No ice save a thin layer on freshwater ponds on a few winter mornings after temperatures fell into the single digits.

No long underwear needed for a trip to the grocery store. No extra layers of fleece needed beneath the coat to block the icy wind.

No winter to speak of — at least so far — at least not what we have steeled ourselves for with the harsh weather conditions in the last few years.

The most striking thing about this winter is not the lack of snow or ice, but the abundant sunshine. The Island is awash in winter light this year; it illuminates bare tree lines and casts deep shadows across tawny fields in early morning and late afternoon. The Vineyard landscape this winter is fit for an Edward Hopper painting.

Maybe it’s climate change. Or maybe it’s just a rare mild and sunny winter.

On a February day, that’s something to talk about.