This has been a weird winter. We saw a few snow flakes in October, a bit of snow around the end of December and early January, then almost nothing. Relatives down south are still digging out, though, from their big snow storm.
The temperatures have been relatively mild. As I type it is about 40 degrees out. What little snow was there is turning to water and evaporating.
Winter event listings are now being submitted with caveats – a cross country ski event has alternative plans to simply bring boots if there is no snow.
This can all change quickly, of course. There is still a little time before spring, and all it would take is one good storm to reset our winter landscape. We haven’t seen one yet this year.
The weather reminds me of living in DC in the 80’s, where it would be semi-cold with some small piles of ice or snow all winter long. Brattleboro is having a mid-Atlantic winter. (We won’t mention that the mid-Atlantic is having a typical Vermont winter…)
I don’t really have a point or message here. Just some observations.
Warm and Wet Winter
As I write it’s 54′, and there’s more grass than snow showing on the front lawn. On Feb. 1st. That could change, but for this week anyway, it’s looking like more of the same.
I’m wondering how the Harris Hill Ski Jump will be, 2 short weeks away.
bring your inner tube
If you are looking for a large wet n wild water park type attraction, it’s ready! : )
If it gets cold enough, I’d imagine the snow-making tools will be called into use. Not sure how well it works if the ground is warm, or what temperatures are the maximums.
We could have a long-term project to fund an air-conditioned enclosure for the ski jump, and make it an indoor event in future decades. Of course, we’d probably burn through a lot of compressors… (skating rink humor there… har har.)
Silver Lining?
As a first year beekeeper that had a very tough start up I have to say this mild winter has helped so far. We had several issues this summer and went into winter with a very low population. I went into the hive today and the girls were still an active colony. Actually watched a couple do a “cleansing” flight and “poop” outside of the hive. I thought maybe the last plunge would do them in but they seem to handle it. But winter’s not over yet.
Bees
That’s some good bee news.
I was recently reading in MAKE magazine about someone who built a digital scale, temperature, and humidity monitor for their hive. It sends the info, hourly, to a log that can be studied later. He could see when the bees left in the morning, always at the same time, when the weight of the hive changed. He also noted that while it was cold outside, the inside of the hive could be 90 degrees with bee activity buzzing on in there. You can probably find this online somewhere.
The groundhog says six more weeks of winter, but I think it may be more like 6 more hours.
I wonder if climate change will make it relatively nice for some of us, for a while, until it isn’t. A little period of “it’s nice to have warm weather all year” before “my god it is hot.”
Midwinter Night
Technically, it isn’t until Thursday this year, but right around now is the middle day of winter. That is to say, midwinter. I like Groundhog Day because at the very worst, there’s only six more weeks until spring. But during these years when we barely have winter, Groundhog Day is less fun. Ho hum, I said this morning, looking out the window at the sunshine. He saw his shadow for sure. (Which tells you something about the hold these old customs have on us that I was giving any credit at all to Punxatawney Phil).
That said, I’m going to give El Nino some credit for this non-winter and hope that for a time at least, we keep getting snow in Vermont. Otherwise, heaven help me, we might have to move north….
Message In A Bottle
Feb 3, 2016
Heavy, continual rain coming down all day. Soggy squirrels. Damp cat.
Hope to see land soon.
– The Captain
uncharted isle
Feb 4, 2016
Our ship was tossed and turned in the storm, and finally set ashore at a tropical island. Very balmy and comfortable, and the people seem nice here. They tell me they plan some sort of water skiing and jumping next week, I believe, though my translation might be off.
We are stocking up on supplies and will rest up before heading out to sea again. Crew seems disoriented but happy.
– The Captain
Ahoy!
We set sail at night after a week in the tropics, and awoke to an amazing sight.
The great white beast had arrived, circling us,, seemingly on all sides of the ship at the same time.
Spring Snow
It’s felt like Spring for days now or at least March, and then this morning snow plows! I enjoyed the pretty snow. 😉
Clear sailing
Ice on the Connecticut River is gone.
Perhaps, Maybe
We may still get some Winter, with snow possibility in the forecast for the next 3 days!
Will all the seasons be 4-6 weeks off from here on? 😉