Weak Winter, Look Out Next Year

Well now that it is Spring I can say that last winter was pretty weak. It got below zero for a few days, and we had some snow and ice but it wasn't nearly as miserable as it could have been. The year before was the same way, mostly above average. It all has to even out (unless you think like Al Gore), so next year might be a cold one. I reset my thermometer Jan 1, 2008, the coldest it has registered this year is -7 That is taken on the siding of the house in a sheltered location so no wind chill, but fairly accurate.

I have read that winter weather runs in an eleven year cycle. It would be time, therefore, for the winters to begin to get more severe again. Worst winter since I've lived in Stillwater: 1996. Lowest temperature here that year was -24 degrees F one morning, -37 in Hainesville, about 10 miles north of here.

Recording degree days

It was 7.45% colder this season so far compared to last!

In Maine this was a good old fashion winter, cold and lots of snow. The last few years have really been mild and we tend of get spoiled. We actually set a new snow record on the first day of spring. Old record of 181 inches was in 1955. First day of spring this year was 183.5 inches total and we have had more since. I am not sure what the final will be for the season, but I've had enough. I figure I will be able to mow the grass about June 30.

we had a couple nights below zero. since Christmas , the temps have been in low 30's , low 20' during the day. at night it's in the teens and low 20. we had one day for about 6 hours when it went up to 65. I went out on the ramp and enjoyed it till it ended . felt so good to be outside. we only had 3 or 4 good snow falls , one was 2'. we are way below on snow fall. we usally get 180" plus each year.

my buddy lives near Stowe, VT, 650 inches of snow this season and counting. Six hundred fifty, that's like 50 feet of snow if it didn't melt or pack down. I suspect there might be some flooding in the Connecticut river valley when it melts. He can't see out of his windows, the house is buried.

Here in Massachusetts it was an easy winter. Very little snow (after December) & not real cold.

In SE Michigan, we are in our 4th or 5th snowiest winter. As for temps, it was much colder than last year.. Last year January was about like March, This year we had plenty of single digits, weeks of mid-teens for high temps.. and we had plenty of -0* nights...

I was able to keep my house and shop comfortable, even a bit extravagantly warm in the family [ TV] room up to 72-74* at times...

I'll be glad to have the same or warmer next year.. it wasn't record-cold, but cold and snowy enough.

Greg L

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All the snow & cold weather pretty much missed Long Island this year (again). Only went plowing twice, and one of those times was just an excuse to exercise the equipment.

This was my first year burning coal, good it was a mild one so the learning experience wasn't a true "trial by fire".

I don't know, 2 of my neighbors snow blowed their yards this weekend. something about wanting to see grass before July 4. My belief is that I would just have to mow earlier if I did that. I'll just let the stuff melt. Still have 4 feet piled up in a lot of the yard. Maybe I can get in some fishing before I have to start doing yard work.

coal-cooker wrote:I don't know, 2 of my neighbors snow blowed their yards this weekend. something about wanting to see grass before July 4. My belief is that I would just have to mow earlier if I did that. I'll just let the stuff melt. Still have 4 feet piled up in a lot of the yard. Maybe I can get in some fishing before I have to start doing yard work.

I think I need to move there.

I work outside. It was a cold misable season. Maybe the snow amount was lower than average but I'd venture to guess the temps were also lower than average. March for example has been very cold, relatively speaking, with almost no nice days. There's been a lot of overcast and wind this past winter. Or maybe I was just stuck working days in the field when the weather was at it's worse.

good point, I finished my indoor heated workshop last year so I was able to work inside 99% of the time. It didn't seem that cold looking out the window

coal-cooker wrote:I don't know, 2 of my neighbors snow blowed their yards this weekend. something about wanting to see grass before July 4. My belief is that I would just have to mow earlier if I did that. I'll just let the stuff melt. Still have 4 feet piled up in a lot of the yard. Maybe I can get in some fishing before I have to start doing yard work.

Can I stay with you a few days?

I only got the snowmobile out three times this winter.