Its coming into NY like gangbusters. Moderate to heavy snows being reported across several places in central NY, and that trend will continue as it moves into western New ENgland and NH tonight. Forecasts say snow by mdnight. But I think between 9 and 11pm around here. There is some dry air to battle, but this is a clipper on steriods, so it should fight it pretty well.
Accumulations, prob 4-8 inches locally in Lebanon, less than the surrounding area because of a 10-15 mile downsloping SE wind off the local mtns. But 6-12 inches eslewhere. A more in depth update as the storm starts....
Friday, February 29, 2008
It was a cold night! Plus brief storm info.
Lebanon airport hit -22 last night, the coldest night of the year! I was out when it was -10, and I found tell it was getting colder by the minute. The low was at 7am, and I was out at 2am, so there was five more hours of dropping...
The low down at the CT river here was prob similar to out at the airport, but most temperatures were a good 10 degrees warmer in Hanover, mostly around -11 or -12. A crazy inversion set up, just as I thought, so the locations on top of hills were warmer than the valleys. But if you lived in an interior elevated valley, you were coldest. Other readings in New England.
Big Black River, ME -37
Pittsburg, NH -36 (1st Ct Lake)
Island Pond, VT -36
Clayton Lake, ME -35
St Aurlie, ME -33
Berlin, NH -32
Oxbow, ME -32
Rangeley, ME -30
Errol, NH, -30
East Berkshire, VT -29
Whitefield, NH -29
Lancaster, NH -28
Stratford, NH -28
Beecher Falls, VT -28
Turner Brook, ME -28
Presque Isle, ME -27
Foxbrook, ME -26
Morrisville, VT -25
Littleton, NH -24
Lyndonville, VT -24
Clarksville, NH -22
Fryeburg, ME -21
St Johnsbury, VT -20
Enfield, NH -20
I could go on forever with these. There were many temps in the -25 to -30 range in VT, NH and ME. So Lebanon wasn't all that bad. :)
Heavy snow warning for 6-10 inches of snow later tonight and Saturday. Bring it on!
The low down at the CT river here was prob similar to out at the airport, but most temperatures were a good 10 degrees warmer in Hanover, mostly around -11 or -12. A crazy inversion set up, just as I thought, so the locations on top of hills were warmer than the valleys. But if you lived in an interior elevated valley, you were coldest. Other readings in New England.
Big Black River, ME -37
Pittsburg, NH -36 (1st Ct Lake)
Island Pond, VT -36
Clayton Lake, ME -35
St Aurlie, ME -33
Berlin, NH -32
Oxbow, ME -32
Rangeley, ME -30
Errol, NH, -30
East Berkshire, VT -29
Whitefield, NH -29
Lancaster, NH -28
Stratford, NH -28
Beecher Falls, VT -28
Turner Brook, ME -28
Presque Isle, ME -27
Foxbrook, ME -26
Morrisville, VT -25
Littleton, NH -24
Lyndonville, VT -24
Clarksville, NH -22
Fryeburg, ME -21
St Johnsbury, VT -20
Enfield, NH -20
I could go on forever with these. There were many temps in the -25 to -30 range in VT, NH and ME. So Lebanon wasn't all that bad. :)
Heavy snow warning for 6-10 inches of snow later tonight and Saturday. Bring it on!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Cold Night Tonight!
Looks like we have a very cold night on tap. Its sunny and breezy now, with temperatures in the teens and wind chills in the single digits, so total is definitely a winter day. But tonight, as winds die down, temperatures are going to drop like a rock, especially in sheltered valleys that stay clear the longest. Lebanon is forecasting a low of -7, but if our wind dies early, they'll easily go -10 to -20 tonight. It has the potential to be the coldest night of the year. An inversion will set up, with hilltop locations actually being far warmer than the lower valleys. This will be a situation where the summit of Mt Washington will probably be warmer than the surrounding valleys.
And we have another storm threat for Friday night and Saturday...and knowing storms this year...that probably means late Friday afternoon into Saturday morning, but we'll see. Computer models keep upping the stakes, and HPC has us under a risk of at least 4 inches of snow, and on the borderline of possibly up to 8 inches. Right now it looks like the heaviest will be north and east of Lebanon, so the old pattern of us being nickel and dimed by these winter storms will probably return, (unlike yesterday, when we picked up a foot!) but it needs to be watched because its another snowstorm and computer models show a little more precipitation each time. I'll have a possible first call on accumulations tonight.
And we have another storm threat for Friday night and Saturday...and knowing storms this year...that probably means late Friday afternoon into Saturday morning, but we'll see. Computer models keep upping the stakes, and HPC has us under a risk of at least 4 inches of snow, and on the borderline of possibly up to 8 inches. Right now it looks like the heaviest will be north and east of Lebanon, so the old pattern of us being nickel and dimed by these winter storms will probably return, (unlike yesterday, when we picked up a foot!) but it needs to be watched because its another snowstorm and computer models show a little more precipitation each time. I'll have a possible first call on accumulations tonight.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Have some snow
I think I may remember this storm for awhile. It is already the biggest storm of the year for Hanover. We've had 8 inches as of 9pm, and there is still at least one more batch of moderate to heavy snow that will be moving through soon. After that, we'll have to see how much backlash sets up tomorrow morning. Normally, Lebanon downslopes pretty well and we get limited accumulations, but we'll see. So the upper end of the 6-12 inches is being realized in my backyard, and if we get some truly heavy snow, maybe a little more...WOW! This is the first storm of the year that I can say, I'm impressed.
Watch for power outages later.
Watch for power outages later.
Ok, final call
Allright, I'm biting it a little. Final accumulation call for the valleys 6-12 inches, with isolated higher amounts, and more in the hills. We'll get six if we don't get into the heavy snow band, and 12 if we do. This storm is looking better and better as the hours go by, and shadowing has been minimal so far. Temps are marginal this afternoon, and roads have been mainly wet, but I expect conditions to go to shit tonight, with possible 1-2 inch per hour snowbands setting up in some areas.
On that note, time to go to work,
On that note, time to go to work,
Crap
So a few changes. The storm started early, and that might make a difference in the outcome. We have a dusting of snow so far, but its only adding up on the snow cover, and the main roads appear wet. So far, the storm isn't that organized, and its in its formative stages.
Its a fairly light snow, but since it started early, I;m thinking that we won't have much of a chance to warm above freezing this afternoon. The forecast still has the snow arriving at 1pm, but since its already coming down, we know that was way off. There is still a good chance that we'll get shadowed during the day, and marginal temperatures will limit accumulations while the sun is up, but after sunset, conditions will go downhill in a hurry, and roads will become snow covered and icy. Accumulations still look like they'll be in the 6-10 inch range, maybe on the slightly higher end of that since it started early, but I'm almost ready to bite the big one and up the amounts a little later today, if the storm looks better organized. It has potential, but we're still battling marginal temperatures and shadowing in Lebanon. One thing is certain, as soon as you get away from the valley and get into the hills, amounts will increase rapidly, with 10-15 inches likely, and the mtns will get 15-20+. Snow should be done tomorrow morning, possibly lingering further north.
Important update later.
Its a fairly light snow, but since it started early, I;m thinking that we won't have much of a chance to warm above freezing this afternoon. The forecast still has the snow arriving at 1pm, but since its already coming down, we know that was way off. There is still a good chance that we'll get shadowed during the day, and marginal temperatures will limit accumulations while the sun is up, but after sunset, conditions will go downhill in a hurry, and roads will become snow covered and icy. Accumulations still look like they'll be in the 6-10 inch range, maybe on the slightly higher end of that since it started early, but I'm almost ready to bite the big one and up the amounts a little later today, if the storm looks better organized. It has potential, but we're still battling marginal temperatures and shadowing in Lebanon. One thing is certain, as soon as you get away from the valley and get into the hills, amounts will increase rapidly, with 10-15 inches likely, and the mtns will get 15-20+. Snow should be done tomorrow morning, possibly lingering further north.
Important update later.
It started.
Of course it started at around 8:30am. A good 5.5 hours early. No accumulation seo far...maybe a dusting on the present cover. Roads are wet. Storm not together yet. A full update later.
Depends on where you live...
Yikes. What a storm this is turning into....and it hasn't started yet. A few things have changed.
Earlier thought was that the snow would come in two bouts, and that would decrease our snow accumulation. Now it appears that there won't be much of a break in the snow at all, so we could be dealing with accumulations starting around 1-2pm tomorrow and lasting till late Wednesday morning. If you live at a higher elevation, there will be much more snow, and it will be fluffier.
I still don't like the SE wind Lebanon is going to get tomorrow, with temps 30-35 during the early afternoon, at the onset of the storm. We will get shadowed by the local topography, meaning the winds will downslope off the mountains and some of the moisture will be lost as it makes its way into town. Also, that will aid in warming the temperatures a little more, so mid 30s are a good bet as the storm begins. The winds should be fairly light, so there won't be much warming, and then as precip falls, there will be evaporational cooling and we'll drop back below freezing and remain there through the rest of the storm. So initially, accumulations during the afternoon will be somewhat difficult, especially on the main roads that are treated. If we get any heavy snow, it might be dicey, but I don't expect major problems before dark.
After dark is when all bets are off. The models are showing this storm extremely well, and even this radar link shows the storm coming in one hit.
http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/mmb/mmbpll/cent4km/v2/nmmwrf.refd_animate_1h.html
Just scroll thru the hours to see what the precipitation might look like during the storm.
So I'd say that the conditions will slowly deteriorate during the evening hours tomorrow and as the wind goes northerly, and the storm gets its act together, we could get into some heavier snow bands. Most should set up north of us, but there is a chance we could get into one of those. If we do, thats 1+ inch per hour snows for however long it sits. The snow should be done by late Wednesday morning in the valley, and will linger in the hills and the mtns.
Need to stress this
1.It will be a wet snow, especially in the valley, and especially at the beginning. As the storm wears on, it will be a bit fluffier.
2. Hills and mountains will get the jackpot. Like any classic spring snowstorm, this will be no exception. The heaviest amounts will be above 1000 feet. More on that in a minute.
3. Roads will get worse as the night wears on: As with most spring storms, the roads are mainly wet during the day, and then they turn to shit at night, esp if we have 1 inch per hour snows coming in.
4. Subject to change, when I wake up. :)
Accumulations: I'm upping them a bit, based on the fact that the storm should not be two distinct hits. Still, Lebanon will probably have difficulty accumulating snow tomorrow afternoon, which will cut down on amounts initially, but once nightfall hits, the snow will pile up. I'm upping the amounts to 6-10 inches, thinking that 8 is a very possible amount if there is no dry slot in the middle. The 10 inch snows will be at elevations from 700-900 feet, 8 inches around the city of Lebanon, and 6-7 inches down at the CT valley floor. Elevations above 1000 feet are going to get 12+, easy, and the mountains up north might see 15-20 inches. If Lebanon can overcome the shadowing and warm temperatures tomorrow afternoon, we too will share in higher amounts, but right now, 6-10 sounds like a reasonable estimate. It will prob change tomorrow.
Ugh, good night.
Earlier thought was that the snow would come in two bouts, and that would decrease our snow accumulation. Now it appears that there won't be much of a break in the snow at all, so we could be dealing with accumulations starting around 1-2pm tomorrow and lasting till late Wednesday morning. If you live at a higher elevation, there will be much more snow, and it will be fluffier.
I still don't like the SE wind Lebanon is going to get tomorrow, with temps 30-35 during the early afternoon, at the onset of the storm. We will get shadowed by the local topography, meaning the winds will downslope off the mountains and some of the moisture will be lost as it makes its way into town. Also, that will aid in warming the temperatures a little more, so mid 30s are a good bet as the storm begins. The winds should be fairly light, so there won't be much warming, and then as precip falls, there will be evaporational cooling and we'll drop back below freezing and remain there through the rest of the storm. So initially, accumulations during the afternoon will be somewhat difficult, especially on the main roads that are treated. If we get any heavy snow, it might be dicey, but I don't expect major problems before dark.
After dark is when all bets are off. The models are showing this storm extremely well, and even this radar link shows the storm coming in one hit.
http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/mmb/mmbpll/cent4km/v2/nmmwrf.refd_animate_1h.html
Just scroll thru the hours to see what the precipitation might look like during the storm.
So I'd say that the conditions will slowly deteriorate during the evening hours tomorrow and as the wind goes northerly, and the storm gets its act together, we could get into some heavier snow bands. Most should set up north of us, but there is a chance we could get into one of those. If we do, thats 1+ inch per hour snows for however long it sits. The snow should be done by late Wednesday morning in the valley, and will linger in the hills and the mtns.
Need to stress this
1.It will be a wet snow, especially in the valley, and especially at the beginning. As the storm wears on, it will be a bit fluffier.
2. Hills and mountains will get the jackpot. Like any classic spring snowstorm, this will be no exception. The heaviest amounts will be above 1000 feet. More on that in a minute.
3. Roads will get worse as the night wears on: As with most spring storms, the roads are mainly wet during the day, and then they turn to shit at night, esp if we have 1 inch per hour snows coming in.
4. Subject to change, when I wake up. :)
Accumulations: I'm upping them a bit, based on the fact that the storm should not be two distinct hits. Still, Lebanon will probably have difficulty accumulating snow tomorrow afternoon, which will cut down on amounts initially, but once nightfall hits, the snow will pile up. I'm upping the amounts to 6-10 inches, thinking that 8 is a very possible amount if there is no dry slot in the middle. The 10 inch snows will be at elevations from 700-900 feet, 8 inches around the city of Lebanon, and 6-7 inches down at the CT valley floor. Elevations above 1000 feet are going to get 12+, easy, and the mountains up north might see 15-20 inches. If Lebanon can overcome the shadowing and warm temperatures tomorrow afternoon, we too will share in higher amounts, but right now, 6-10 sounds like a reasonable estimate. It will prob change tomorrow.
Ugh, good night.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Latest Storm Threats
It is looking better (or, ahem, worse, depending on your view) for a good thumping of snow on Tuesday afternoon thru Wednesday morning. The HPC (Hydrometeorogical Prediction Center) puts out maps and they have us under a moderate risk of at least 8 inches of snow and a low risk of 12 inches.
I tried uploading the image, but it didn't work. Maybe I'll do it later.
Snow should start Tuesday afternoon and become steady during the evening. It appears that it will fall primarily as snow in the local area, though temperatures will be marginal at first, in the low to possibly mid 30s, so accumulations will be somewhat tough at the beginning. I also expect this to be a typical early spring snowstorm, with the most snow falling at upper elevations, and the wettest, most dense snow falling in the valleys. As temps drop Tuesday night and early Wednesday, the snow will become less wet and more fluffy in nature, but still will probably stick to the trees very nicely.
Snow is forecast to end by 1pm Wednesday in the local area, but there is some chance it could end a bit earlier, or later. There will be some enhancement setting up on the backside of the storm, and if we get into it, the snow will continue into the afternoon hours. If not, the snow is done by late morning.
Amounts? Most in higher elevations where the snow will be fluffier, and least in the valleys where it will be wet. But a solid 6 inches is possible even down at the valley floor, with those one foot or more amounts in the hills, and especially in the White Mtns. They're going to get clocked...lucky bastards.
Still, there is some uncertainty with the storm. The HPC says we're prob going to get 8 inches, but I'm not buying into it quite yet, because of the marginal temperatures, and any possible shadowing from the local mountains, which has happened in the last several storms. Also, another trend to watch, most storms have moved faster than forecast, and have been warmer, so that is something that needs to be watched. That is why throwing out precise accumulations at this point is kind of silly, especially when you're talking about amounts like 6-12 inches...The stakes are high, but I'd rather throw out an estimate and then hone in on the amounts when I become more confident. It has been a very challenging winter forecasting winter storms, and we need to watch the seasonal trend to see if it happens again.
An important update tonight.
I tried uploading the image, but it didn't work. Maybe I'll do it later.
Snow should start Tuesday afternoon and become steady during the evening. It appears that it will fall primarily as snow in the local area, though temperatures will be marginal at first, in the low to possibly mid 30s, so accumulations will be somewhat tough at the beginning. I also expect this to be a typical early spring snowstorm, with the most snow falling at upper elevations, and the wettest, most dense snow falling in the valleys. As temps drop Tuesday night and early Wednesday, the snow will become less wet and more fluffy in nature, but still will probably stick to the trees very nicely.
Snow is forecast to end by 1pm Wednesday in the local area, but there is some chance it could end a bit earlier, or later. There will be some enhancement setting up on the backside of the storm, and if we get into it, the snow will continue into the afternoon hours. If not, the snow is done by late morning.
Amounts? Most in higher elevations where the snow will be fluffier, and least in the valleys where it will be wet. But a solid 6 inches is possible even down at the valley floor, with those one foot or more amounts in the hills, and especially in the White Mtns. They're going to get clocked...lucky bastards.
Still, there is some uncertainty with the storm. The HPC says we're prob going to get 8 inches, but I'm not buying into it quite yet, because of the marginal temperatures, and any possible shadowing from the local mountains, which has happened in the last several storms. Also, another trend to watch, most storms have moved faster than forecast, and have been warmer, so that is something that needs to be watched. That is why throwing out precise accumulations at this point is kind of silly, especially when you're talking about amounts like 6-12 inches...The stakes are high, but I'd rather throw out an estimate and then hone in on the amounts when I become more confident. It has been a very challenging winter forecasting winter storms, and we need to watch the seasonal trend to see if it happens again.
An important update tonight.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Quick post, mainly to say that temps prob won't hit the upper 30s today, I think that will be more of a possibility tomorrow. Its only 27 in Leb now, so I think 30-35 should do it for the day. We'll be out ahead of a weak cold front tomorrow, so slightly warmer air will come in prior to it, so upper 30s is a good bet.
I think I'm going hiking tomorrow, hopefully somewhere with lots of snow, and somewhere above treeline, so I can play with my weather toy.
I think I'm going hiking tomorrow, hopefully somewhere with lots of snow, and somewhere above treeline, so I can play with my weather toy.
Dud?
Yea, the storm was a little bit of a dud here. I measured 2.5 inches of snow in Hanover, under the 3-5 forecast. The reason? We were shadowed by the local mountains, again. There were times when the sun was shinning through the clouds today when the snow was supposed to be coming down at its steadiest. We had a SE wind for awhile today, and 2700 foot Croydon peak is to out SE, so we can get shadowed by that, and then we had a E to NE wind, and can be shadowed by the Moose Mtn and some other local mtns to our E and NE. Then the storm transfered its energy to the coastal low and our snow tapered off as winds turned N.
Amounts towards southern NH and Mass were higher, and approached 10 inches. Highest amount I could find was 9 inches in Worcester county, MA. In NH, New Ipswich had 6.5 inches. In the White Mtns, preliminary amounts range from 2-5 inches, with the notches picking up the most.
Overall, the storm pretty much behaved itself. I just wish we could have picked up a little more.
Weekend: Looks good! Late Feb sunshine should boost our temps into the mid and possibly upper 30s tomorrow, with light and variable winds, and same for Sunday, with a more steady breeze blowing that day. We'll have to wait for the early next week to see what the Tuesday's storm is going to do.
And on that note, a random picture.
Amounts towards southern NH and Mass were higher, and approached 10 inches. Highest amount I could find was 9 inches in Worcester county, MA. In NH, New Ipswich had 6.5 inches. In the White Mtns, preliminary amounts range from 2-5 inches, with the notches picking up the most.
Overall, the storm pretty much behaved itself. I just wish we could have picked up a little more.
Weekend: Looks good! Late Feb sunshine should boost our temps into the mid and possibly upper 30s tomorrow, with light and variable winds, and same for Sunday, with a more steady breeze blowing that day. We'll have to wait for the early next week to see what the Tuesday's storm is going to do.
And on that note, a random picture.
Friday, February 22, 2008
It is early
I had a feeling the snow would come in early, but I didn't think the first flakes would start flying around 8am. The actual accumulations just started now, and that was what I was thinking. Another interesting thing: the sun appears to be shinning a little bit through the clouds, giving this the feeling of an early spring snowstorm, despite the 19 degree temperature in Lebanon, and 20 in Hanover.
This type of storm had early start written all over it, but now that its started, I still don't think we're going to get a lot of extra accumulation. It will probably behave itself. The coastal low really hasn't strengthened yet, and its forecast to move south of New England and hit central MA and southern NH the hardest. During the afternoon, amounts of over 1 inch per hour will be common there, and will add up towards 8-10 inches, maybe a little more since the storm has started early.
Up here, we are just a little too far from the heaviest precipitation, but are getting into a good front end hit from this warm air advection snow since it started early. If we get into the moderate snow from the actual coastal low later tonight, it is conceivable we get into the upper end of the 3-5 inches that is currently forecast, maybe a bit more. The heaviest will be early this evening, and then the snows will taper off after that. It kind of looks like a storm where the radar won't show all of the snow falling, because right now we have steady light snow, with 8/10 mile visibility, and the radar shows almost nothing.
Still a bright sky right now....snow flakes don't look perfect, but the it is fluffy, so it will be easy to shovel.
If this storm goes to crap and we get into the 1+ inch per hour snows, I'll write something else.
This type of storm had early start written all over it, but now that its started, I still don't think we're going to get a lot of extra accumulation. It will probably behave itself. The coastal low really hasn't strengthened yet, and its forecast to move south of New England and hit central MA and southern NH the hardest. During the afternoon, amounts of over 1 inch per hour will be common there, and will add up towards 8-10 inches, maybe a little more since the storm has started early.
Up here, we are just a little too far from the heaviest precipitation, but are getting into a good front end hit from this warm air advection snow since it started early. If we get into the moderate snow from the actual coastal low later tonight, it is conceivable we get into the upper end of the 3-5 inches that is currently forecast, maybe a bit more. The heaviest will be early this evening, and then the snows will taper off after that. It kind of looks like a storm where the radar won't show all of the snow falling, because right now we have steady light snow, with 8/10 mile visibility, and the radar shows almost nothing.
Still a bright sky right now....snow flakes don't look perfect, but the it is fluffy, so it will be easy to shovel.
If this storm goes to crap and we get into the 1+ inch per hour snows, I'll write something else.
Quick update....
It is really late, so I don't have time to do an in depth update. As it looks now, the storm for tomorrow is on schedule, possibly a little ahead, like almost every storm we've experienced this year. Most forecasts don't have the snow starting in Lebanon till 1pm, and even though there is a lot of dry air around, snow is already in upstate NY, so I wouldn't be surprised if its at least flurrying by 10 or 11am. With highs in the 20s, it will be a fluffy snow, so it won't take much liquid equivalent to fluff up a few inches of snow. It looks like a healthy 3-5 inch snowfall around here, with up to 10 inches around southern NH and northern MA.
One disclaimer. Lots of storms this year have moved further north than originally forecast. If this storm does anything weird, it will probably move north, and it it does that, our accumulations will be higher. The steadiest snow should be late in the afternoon and last through the evening, and then will taper to light snow showers and flurries toward midnight.
Time to go to bed...update tomorrow.
It is really late, so I don't have time to do an in depth update. As it looks now, the storm for tomorrow is on schedule, possibly a little ahead, like almost every storm we've experienced this year. Most forecasts don't have the snow starting in Lebanon till 1pm, and even though there is a lot of dry air around, snow is already in upstate NY, so I wouldn't be surprised if its at least flurrying by 10 or 11am. With highs in the 20s, it will be a fluffy snow, so it won't take much liquid equivalent to fluff up a few inches of snow. It looks like a healthy 3-5 inch snowfall around here, with up to 10 inches around southern NH and northern MA.
One disclaimer. Lots of storms this year have moved further north than originally forecast. If this storm does anything weird, it will probably move north, and it it does that, our accumulations will be higher. The steadiest snow should be late in the afternoon and last through the evening, and then will taper to light snow showers and flurries toward midnight.
Time to go to bed...update tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Winter: Turning The Corner?
Its Feb 20th, and I think we have finally turned the corner on winter. Living in New England, I know it is baby steps transitioning into spring, but during the past week I have noticed a few things that haven't been common since November.
1. The sun is effective again.
Even if temperatures are in the 20s, when the sun comes out, it feels warm to the skin. It hasn't felt like this since late November. Today we hit 39 degrees in Hanover, and despite the gusty winds, the sun felt great. I took the ultimate test by sitting in the shade for 10 minutes, and I still didn't feel cold. The sun angle is getting higher, and by March, the sun angle will be the same as it is in September, so hopefully all of this damn ice we have on the sidewalks will go away soon.
2. Longer daylight.
This is pretty obvious, but the days are getting longer. Pretty soon we'll have daylight savings, and it will be getting dark towards 7pm again. No more 4pm darkness till next December. :-) Although our days are longer now than in November...
3. Lots of birds
I'm not a bird person, but there have been so many different birds around lately, and today was no exception. Perhaps they too have noticed that winter has turned the first corner.
Of course, this is just the first of many steps that are taken toward springtime in Northern New England. Chances are, we'll probably experience five more arctic outbreaks, and ten more significant snowstorms, and the last snow will probably be in mid April. But its a step by step process, and as much as us New Englanders bitch, we're a resilient bunch and will take the weather as it comes. Because if a New Englander hates winter, it is the little things that happen on days like today.... the extra birds singing, and the effective sunshine, that suggests hope for warmer times ahead.
Weather for the day:
The best way to describe our weather today was changeable. I woke up to mainly cloudy skies with a couple of very light snow flurries coming down, with temperatures in the low to mid 30s. Then the sun decided to make an appearance before the cold front moved in, and our temperatures boosted up into the upper 30s. It was 37 in Lebanon, and 39 in Hanover. Orford, NH actually hit 40 degrees today. For the first time in awhile, we missed the majority of the snow showers and squalls that hit the state. They were confined to the mountains and locations east of Lebanon.
After the cold front moved through, the temperatures initially dropped into the 20s, but a busy wind kept it from bottoming out any lower. In fact, right now its 22 in Lebanon, and 21 in Hanover, and the winds are still busy, (13 mph) so as long as it stays windy, we won't drop. But tonight the temperatures are a little deceiving. The wind chill at the airport is 10 degrees, so it really doesn't matter. I'd rather not have the wind so I can cover up and stay warm easier. The forecast is for a low of 14, so we'll see how low it actually gets. If the wind keeps going, I doubt it gets that low.
This is a night where if you live on a hill, the temps are much colder than in the valleys. At 800 feet in Lebanon, its 18 degrees, in Fairlee VT at 1100 feet, its 16 degrees, while down here in Hanover its still in the 20s. One exception is Orford NH, where its 19 along the river valley, because the wind has probably died down there. They were 21 an hour ago. It will be interesting to see where our lows are tomorrow morning.
I can tell that I'm tired because now I'm rambling. Signing off.
Edit...wind dropped to 6 mph in Lebanon, temp is 21. If the wind dies, it will be colder than 14 for a low. If not, than 14 and no colder. Should be interesting.
1. The sun is effective again.
Even if temperatures are in the 20s, when the sun comes out, it feels warm to the skin. It hasn't felt like this since late November. Today we hit 39 degrees in Hanover, and despite the gusty winds, the sun felt great. I took the ultimate test by sitting in the shade for 10 minutes, and I still didn't feel cold. The sun angle is getting higher, and by March, the sun angle will be the same as it is in September, so hopefully all of this damn ice we have on the sidewalks will go away soon.
2. Longer daylight.
This is pretty obvious, but the days are getting longer. Pretty soon we'll have daylight savings, and it will be getting dark towards 7pm again. No more 4pm darkness till next December. :-) Although our days are longer now than in November...
3. Lots of birds
I'm not a bird person, but there have been so many different birds around lately, and today was no exception. Perhaps they too have noticed that winter has turned the first corner.
Of course, this is just the first of many steps that are taken toward springtime in Northern New England. Chances are, we'll probably experience five more arctic outbreaks, and ten more significant snowstorms, and the last snow will probably be in mid April. But its a step by step process, and as much as us New Englanders bitch, we're a resilient bunch and will take the weather as it comes. Because if a New Englander hates winter, it is the little things that happen on days like today.... the extra birds singing, and the effective sunshine, that suggests hope for warmer times ahead.
Weather for the day:
The best way to describe our weather today was changeable. I woke up to mainly cloudy skies with a couple of very light snow flurries coming down, with temperatures in the low to mid 30s. Then the sun decided to make an appearance before the cold front moved in, and our temperatures boosted up into the upper 30s. It was 37 in Lebanon, and 39 in Hanover. Orford, NH actually hit 40 degrees today. For the first time in awhile, we missed the majority of the snow showers and squalls that hit the state. They were confined to the mountains and locations east of Lebanon.
After the cold front moved through, the temperatures initially dropped into the 20s, but a busy wind kept it from bottoming out any lower. In fact, right now its 22 in Lebanon, and 21 in Hanover, and the winds are still busy, (13 mph) so as long as it stays windy, we won't drop. But tonight the temperatures are a little deceiving. The wind chill at the airport is 10 degrees, so it really doesn't matter. I'd rather not have the wind so I can cover up and stay warm easier. The forecast is for a low of 14, so we'll see how low it actually gets. If the wind keeps going, I doubt it gets that low.
This is a night where if you live on a hill, the temps are much colder than in the valleys. At 800 feet in Lebanon, its 18 degrees, in Fairlee VT at 1100 feet, its 16 degrees, while down here in Hanover its still in the 20s. One exception is Orford NH, where its 19 along the river valley, because the wind has probably died down there. They were 21 an hour ago. It will be interesting to see where our lows are tomorrow morning.
I can tell that I'm tired because now I'm rambling. Signing off.
Edit...wind dropped to 6 mph in Lebanon, temp is 21. If the wind dies, it will be colder than 14 for a low. If not, than 14 and no colder. Should be interesting.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Welcome to my blog. This is more for me than anyone else, but if anyone is actually bored enough to read the mindless nonsense I have to write, (or um, type) then more power to you. I'll probably use the blog as a weather and outdoor journal and post pictures whenever something interesting happens, like a hike, or a snow storm, or god forbid, a bad thunderstorm.
I like how you can add pics right into blog. This is going to be fun.
Not much weather to talk about right now, since I just woke up an hour ago. But I just looked out the window and a few stray snowflakes are making their way to the ground. I didn't expect that. Its little things like that that keep me going during the winter....keeps me going till the next big storm. Temp is 35 in Hanover, and it looks like its going to be a "normal" day since the average high is 35. I don't expect it to get much warmer today, maybe if the sky brightens we'll approach 40. After viewing the visible satellite, it doesn't look like we'll get much sun, with clouds moving in from upstate NY, but brightening skies are always possible. A cold front is on the way, so 40 is definitely a stretch, but possible with a southerly wind here in the CT river valley. One thing I've learned this winter, a south wind in this valley brings in the relatively warm air quite well.
http://adds.aviationweather.gov/satellite/displaySat.php?region=ALB&isingle=mult_big&itype=vis
I'm awaiting the new updates on Friday night and Saturday's storm. There are too many solutions right now, so its too early to comment. I'll just say, a chance of rain or snow.
Maybe I'll comment more later tonight, when the day is over. This was fun.
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