sugarin' season update

Upcoming week likely last call of area Sugarers. Weather could work out.

Talked Saturday with Doug Bragg of the Bragg Farm Sugar House in E. Montpelier about Sugarin’ Season. Like those before him at the farm, Doug still uses buckets and a wood fired evaporator.

He said he is a little disappointed in the quantity so far, but very happy with the generally excellent quality. He feels he has about 2/3 of an average season and is optimistic about a few last good runs over the next week.

morning lows

Temperatures were down in the teens for the first time in weeks (3)this Saturday morning. We even had a single digit reading.

Some of the coldest readings were, no surprise, in the Northeast Kingdom. Both Sutton and Gallup Mills dropped to 11 and the Island Pond Airport, again no surprise, had the coldest, with just 7.

Drip…drip…drip…

Light sap flow here on the hill Monday. If we do get some snow the next few days, it could be good for early sugarin'.

the shadow knows

No shadows here on Hollister Hill at sunrise, according to folklore this portends an early Spring. Actually, with the thin snow cover, almost looks like early Spring already.

“Half your wood and half your hay, should be left on Candlemas Day.”

Groundhog or Candlemas Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 (winter’s mid-point). According to folklore, if a groundhog, emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, if the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks. The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. The holiday also bears some similarities to the medieval Catholic holiday of Candlemas and the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 2 and also involves weather prognostication.

Here in northern Vermont, it really doesn’t matter if there were any shadows this morning, we know there’s always plenty of winter left.

it's back... the cold that is

The thaw is most definitely over. Below average temperatures should be the rule into midweek next week and today we have “significant” wind chill.

As the cold front blew through Thursday evening, picked up 1.6 inches of new snow. The wind has made the thin snow cover here very uneven; generally a trace up to 6 inches on the ground on Hollister Hill.

thoughts on the thaw

What a yesterday!

Black ice (2 dead), then record high (Montpelier 51) plus record rain (Burlington 1.10), wind damage, flooding (minor, but in Montpelier still scary), and loss of most of our lower elevation snow cover (won’t be needing those snowshoes for awhile).

Sometimes I do, but mostly, I don’t like … January thaws.

coulda been, shoulda been

Today ends our string of eight days with above average temperatures. The chill won’t last long as warmth and rain are still expected Monday.

Late Sunday into Monday will be a negative snow event. We will lose a good deal of snow cover, and that, combined with the rain that could have been snow, will mean a big hit for winter recreation.

season's greetings

Calendar Winter starts gently; a little cold and a little light snow. Solstice salutations to all.

fall fades on frigid note

Friday's lows were mostly single digits below zero, but there were some teens below including Corinth and Plainfield at -11, Walden’s -12, and Gallop Mills' -15. The lowest nws coop reading was Sutton 2NE's -18

December thaw?

Last night was the first time this season that I’ve been startled awake from the sound (and feel) of heavy snow sliding off my metal roof and thudding to the ground. You’d think, being a weatherman, that I would have been prepared.

The first time is almost always a surprise.

a change is due

There might be some skiing this weekend, as the mountains could pick up several inches of snow and temperatures drop for snowmaking.

A moderately strong surface low is expected to track northeast up the New England coast into the Canadian Maritimes Friday night and Saturday with plenty of Atlantic moisture wrapping around into the North Country. Cold air should continue to work into the area over the weekend. This adds up to high confidence that we will see some snow. The lower elevations may not pick up much, but the higher elevations could see some moderate accumulations.

something to think about

Saturday’s rain was significant; around an inch west of the Greens, closer to two east. Two rainfall records for the date were set. Burlington’s 1.14 inches broke their old record of .84 (1959) and Montpelier’s 1.74 surpassed the .93 inches they got in 1975.

Also of note- It’s mid November, just imagine if it had been snow.

cooling off

In nearly all of northern Vermont, an afternoon high of 50 degrees is now above average. Daily record highs run around 70.

not Indian summer

Yesterday was the 7th day in a row with well below average temperatures in St J and Montpelier. Their highs were only 40; should be in the mid 50s. Looks like their string of cold days will continue into early next week anyway.

it's back

Small, still leafed, branches bend low, under the weight of this hill's first of the season snow. Half inch on grassy surfaces and cars as of 6am Tuesday.

time to harvest

Growing season is going to end soon in most of northern Vermont. While there have been spotty isolated frosts earlier this month, this weekend into midweek next week will see numerous widespread frosts/freezes. It’s time to harvest the last heat loving crops, we are, afterall, well into October.

first of the season

The first snow of the season fell Thursday. Mount Mansfield recorded 3 inches, just a trace in some of the high hills.
It won't last long as warmer weather is on the way with just plain rain late today into late Saturday.

it’s that time of the year again

Wet leaves on roadways/walkways all-ways slippery.

could'a been worse

Yes, there was/is spotty frost this morning, but dense fog kept it from being colder; no widespread hard freeze yet.

Won't have to cover-up the next few days, as warmer, moisture laden air settles in tonight through early next week.

not quite over yet

While Summer officially ends this afternoon, some warmth will linger for a few days. Despite a good deal of cloudiness, there could actually be an 80 or two Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to cool a bit Thursday, but still stay above average until Friday.