Boring...still!

Can the weather get any more boring for January? It's not all that cold, there's no snow, there's just nothing to talk about. The next week of so looks like more of the same. I suppose that's good for the heating bills and snow removal costs, but, come on, it's January! As the days get longer and the angle of the sun continues to increase the chances for real winter weather continues to dwindle. Oh, well, spring is just around the corner anyway. Soon time to "un-winterize" the campers and hit the road!!!

As the storm winds down...

Today's storm brought a bit more snow then I expected. The surface temperature was lower so the snow "stuck" as soon as it started. We ended up with 2 inches of snow before the change over around sunset. The total liquid was .36 inches.
Looking down the road, the coming cold front will be here sometime around 3:00 AM. The air behind this cold front isn't all that cold, so the big change will be a shift in the wind to the west with speeds in the 20 to 30 MPH range. There may be a couple snow showers through Saturday until the next front comes by. That one is colder, so watch out for some of the coldest air of the season through at least the middle of next week.

Last minute storm update

It now looks like the "storm" will start out here as a bit of snow this afternoon. It's already snowing above us, but dry air near the surface is preventing the snow from reaching the ground.
I expect to see a change over to ice pellets and freezing rain this evening and overnight with maybe a half inch or so before it all ends tomorrow morning. Colder air will follow for the second half of the weekend.

The rest of the week...

So, you ask, what about the storm coming this way for the later part of the week? Will we finally get some snow? The short answer looks like "no". Yet again we are near the infamous rain/snow line and, although colder arctic air is headed this way for the weekend, it won't be here in time for the precipitation event later this week. Look for mostly (or maybe even all) rain late Thursday into Friday with much cooler but dry weather for the weekend. This mat herald a change to more seasonable temperatures further down the line, we'll see!

Another shameless "commercial"...

Having just returned from a Council of Delegates meeting for Lebanon County Christian Ministries, it seems like a good time for another "word from our sponsor". I looked at the last such post and, since I did such a good job on that one, there seems to be little hope of improving on it now...so here's a re-post:

OK, it's not the sponsor, but here's the commercial anyway. I'm talking about Lebanon County Christian Ministries, now and hereafter referred to as LCCM. Among other services, LCCM operates the local food ban, where both my wife and I volunteer. Check out the web site at http://www.lccm.us/ .
The food bank is always in need of donations...nonperishable food, personal care items, paper products, anything you buy every week at the grocery store. We will gladly accept contributions from individuals as well as churches, businesses, anyone who wants to give.
Readers in other areas, don't despair. Most places have some sort of food bank to which you can donate. Just pick up a few extra items the next time you go grocery shopping and drop them off. It will be appreciated!

The coming storm...

After looking at the computer guidance for the next 24 hours or so, here's the current thinking about the storm for this evening. The precipitation should begin as snow or a rain/snow mix early this evening, changing to all snow later in the evening. Total liquid equivalent could be as much as an inch. If that were to be all snow it could be about 10 inches of snow...don't hold your breath. Given the warm temperatures expected this afternoon, even if the precip start as snow, much of it will melt on contact for the first couple hours.

So, best guess right now...look for precip to start early this evening as a mix, changing to all snow later. Look for snow showers to continue on and off through most of Monday with total snow accumulations around 1-3 inches.

The weekend...

Well, it looks like the snow Sunday into Monday will pass us by. The coastal areas up into New England may benefit from this storm, but not us. The temperatures should be cooler then what we've seen over the last week or so, but still above average for this time of year. Next week could bring a return of more seasonable temperatures and, again, the possibility of a bit of snow. Stay tuned...

So, how DO you feel about snow?

In the absence of any real snow so far this year, and remembering the many snow deprived winters we've had recently, it seemed like a good time for a "Snow Poll". Go to the right side of the page and take part in our poll. Feel free to leave a comment below. If your answer isn't listed in the poll, let me know...I'll add it! Thanks!!!

Cabin Fever!

Now the the current run of unseasonably warm weather is drawing to a close, I guess it's a little late to issue a Cabin Fever Alert. My excuse is simple, I have been suffering from the above mentioned ailment. First of all, after almost 10 months of aggravation from the broken leg, the doctor has declared me healed. Hallelujah! As a result of that, the abbreviated camping season last year, the recent acquisition of a Buick Rainier to use as a tow vehicle for our small pup-up camper, and the need to prepare said vehicle for towing, we have been taking advantage of the warm weather to begin preparing for this summer. I am happy to report the both Buick and Fleetwood Cobalt camper are now ready. Indeed, the rig was taken to the Dutchway parking lot (the most level area around) to adjust the hitch and check the brakes. All went well! Now the Cabin Fever has really set in. We are soooo ready for spring and the first camping trips! Hopefully, a blast of cold arctic air will bring us back to our senses!
Speaking of which, right now the potential exists for some colder air and maybe even some snow to come to the area late in the weekend or early next week, but I'm not holding my breath. The forecast models have been wrong more then right about cold air this winter so far. The theory of persistence teaches us to expect the current trends to continue and give way to colder air only grudgingly. We'll see!