Vernal Equinox 2014 - Springtime!

[ski3pin]

Here in extreme drought ridden northern California I'm trying to keep my spirits up but it is hard. It feels like spring has been here since January. This over a year long persistent storm blocking high pressure ridge over the Pacific remains in place. Hell it could stay this way for years. I just saw the forecast for continued higher than normal temps for both April and May. We're saying just screw it and throwing caution to the wind. The awning is going up over the deck and the snowblower gas container is getting emptied into the truck. Screw it.

 

[highz]

Ummmmm, happy vernal equinox to you too, Ski. I do know how you feel, though. Our limited snowpack is almost gone and it's going to be dry, dry, dry. I expect the NFs around here will have to close to the public this spring, unless there are unexpected periods of rain. In past years, they tried to keep the Lincoln NF open until the end of spring turkey season. I wonder if they will be able to wait that long this year?

So, my springtime wish for all of us in the drought-stricken West is that we get unexpected rainfall at the right intervals to keep the fire danger somewhat manageable. Dream on.

 

[4llamas]

Up here in western Oregon we've been fortunate enough to avoid serious drought conditions, so far. February storms were long, strong and extraordinarily wet, but now we're having an unusual spell of dry and mostly sunny weather. If I heard correctly, I believe it was the ski lift near Ashland that didn't even open this year. We're not breaking out the patio furniture yet, I don't expect it to last. However, we are confident enough to schedule our Hammerhead weekend for McMenamins Edgefield for late May instead of June. The times appear to be changing, I suppose I'll have to change some too.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Yep-sure doesn't seem, look like or feel like the first day of spring-although March Madness" is on tv! It seems like every plant I have-has decided to come up at once or is budding-not just the crocus, but everything -sort of like doing their thing while they can to propagate-a bad sign me thinks! So we might as well use the weather like the "Ski's", and WTW! That is, until they close the woods down due to fire danger or everything out there is burning away. Gotta think positive-right -more time to adventure !

Smoke

 

[montana-moods]

We dealt with a tough winter in Montana starting in February. Many days way south of 0 some south of -30 F. However we did get snow (including this morning) and now have the promise of a very green spring. We have been watching the dry condition in California especially and it doesn't look good. Hopefully some spring storms arrive and help soften the drought.

 

[SunMan]

Here in extreme drought ridden northern California I'm trying to keep my spirits up but it is hard. It feels like spring has been here since January. This over a year long persistent storm blocking high pressure ridge over the Pacific remains in place. Hell it could stay this way for years. I just saw the forecast for continued higher than normal temps for both April and May. We're saying just screw it and throwing caution to the wind. The awning is going up over the deck and the snowblower gas container is getting emptied into the truck. Screw it.

Good job taking one for the team. Hopefully Murphy won't let you (us) down

 

[takesiteasy]

Well, we had a real winter here in Minnesota. Here are some statistics for the Twin Cities metro area:

50: total days with lows below zero

17: consecutive days of subzero lows

21: days with lows below zero in an average year

Nov. 3: First snow of this winter

6: More weeks of snow than usual

95.7: percent of Lake Superior iced over

61: inches of total snowfall as of March 19

24: inches of snow at its greatest depth, Feb. 21

Recently we have had some spring-like days with highs in the 40s and we are melting snow. Of course we are not out of the winter weather woods for at least another month. Last year we had snow on May 3.

While we hope for warmer days, our thoughts are with you all suffering through the drought in the west.

 

[Ted]

Maybe I'll plant some tomatoes this weekend. Just like washing your car brings rain, planting early ought to bring in some cold weather. Worst case scenario, it will be a long tomato season. Win Win! Of course, that is if we are allowed to water the plants. Nevermind.

 

[ski3pin]

Well, we had a real winter here in Minnesota.
<snip>

Yup, right over the top of us carrying moisture from the Pacific, catch some nice cold arctic air up north, and deliver it all to you fine folks. We are all connected.

 

[craig333]

We've heard some real strange suggestions (pipe the water from the East back here (seem a lot of people have never looked at a topo map. Drain Lake Tahoe (does that even need a comment?). I've heard, can't let the farms go dry, people need food ( nevermind most of our crops are exported). Industry doesn't use much water ( huh? we just put in a new 8" water main because we'd maxxed out the old 6" main. I think industrial usage is underreoprted (after all it is a revenue stream).

I hope for more rain but I have this suspicion we're returning to a more normal pattern, where the wet pattern we grew up with was an aberration.

 

[takesiteasy]

Yup, right over the top of us carrying moisture from the Pacific, catch some nice cold arctic air up north, and deliver it all to you fine folks. We are all connected.

It's true. Live in the midwest a while and you learn that the weather comes from all directions.

 

[ski3pin]

Good job taking one for the team. Hopefully Murphy won't let you (us) down

I'm going to take the snow tires off the Lady's Subaru too.

 

[MarkBC]

The low at my place this morning was 21° -- a typical mid-winter low.

But that's how spring is in central Oregon -- not a gradual steady warming from winter to summer, but more like:
cold, warm, cold, warm, warmer, cool, warm, cold, snow, warm, warmer, hot.

(and we did once have snow in Bend on the 4th of July... ...but that's another season -- don't want to get off-topic)

 

[Smokecreek1]

The weather is weird everywhere Mark! I don't ever remembering seeing all my plants coming up at once before-except for my tulips that is, I have different ones that come up at different times-but none have come up! And no piles of snow on the deck or in the yard-guess it all went to Minnesota! Cold at night and warm during the day, and that would normally be great, but this on and off arctic wind that numbs the body, yet move from shade to sun and off with the jacket real fast. No tire changes for me, Ski, keep those 10 plies on year round, but afraid to take the winter gear out of the pop-up and put in the lighter stuff. I have the same problem with clothes in general-can't put anything away, still using the layered approach, start the morning dog walk bundled up, come back with most of it wrapped around my waist. Well it's supposed to rain/snow on Tuesday, we'll see, and a happy spring to all !

Smoke

 

[Smokecreek1]

It is raining here in Susanville-a cool not cold steady rain, a nice smell in the air, and I can't see the surrounding hills ---so a chance maybe for snow or at least moisture --i hope-even started a fire! 415, 1614, and a start ! May just have to have a drink, it was almost 70 in the sun yesterday, come back winter!

Smoke

 

[Lighthawk]

I'm going to take the snow tires off the Lady's Subaru too.

That's it. Keep flaunting it! Next you can get out yer bermuda's and stroll about the yard!

Seriously, this week looks like we may get something. And anything is better than nothing!

[it's raining right now Thanks Ski!]

 

[ski3pin]

[it's raining right now Thanks Ski!]

If we had a convertible car, we'd put the top down too!


Winter Storm Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CA
326 AM PDT FRI MAR 28 2014

...HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WIND POSSIBLE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY
MORNING...

.A PACIFIC STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY
SNOW AND GUSTY WIND TO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN
CASCADES AND NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA. LIGHT PRECIPITATION MAY INITIALLY
BEGIN ALONG THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS DURING THE DAY TODAY...THEN
DROP SOUTHWARD DURING THE NIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED
LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY. SNOW LEVELS WILL START OUT INITIALLY
FROM 6000 TO 7000 FEET TODAY...THEN LOWER TO BETWEEN 4000 AND 5000
FEET BY SATURDAY NIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. 6 TO 12 INCHES
OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE ABOVE 5500 FEET DURING THE WARNING PERIOD
...WITH UP TO 2 FEET OF SNOW POSSIBLE OVER THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS.

CAZ068-069-290015-
/O.UPG.KSTO.WS.A.0004.140329T0700Z-140330T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KSTO.WS.W.0006.140329T0700Z-140330T1200Z/
WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY/LASSEN PARK-
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA-
326 AM PDT FRI MAR 28 2014

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 5 AM
PDT SUNDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING ABOVE 5500 FEET FOR HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS...WHICH
IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 5 AM PDT SUNDAY. THE WINTER
STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* IMPACTS: GUSTY WIND AND HEAVY SNOW COULD BRING PERIODS OF
  SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED VISIBILITY AND DIFFICULT TRAVEL
  CONDITIONS. CHAIN RESTRICTIONS AND TRAVEL DELAYS ARE LIKELY.

* CONFIDENCE: HIGH CONFIDENCE IN PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW AND
  STRONG WIND OVER HIGHER TERRAIN.

* TIMING: LIGHT SNOW POSSIBLE TODAY...BUT HEAVIEST SNOW IS
  EXPECTED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: LASSEN NATIONAL PARK...DONNER PASS...ECHO
  SUMMIT...CARSON PASS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 6 TO 12 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET WITH UP TO 2
  FEET OF NEW SNOW ACCUMULATION AT THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS.

* FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...VISIT
  HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SACRAMENTO/HAZARDS.

* IMPACTS: MAJOR TRAVEL PROBLEMS EXPECTED. SNOW REMOVAL WILL BE
  REQUIRED TO KEEP ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS PASSABLE. MAJOR ROADS MAY
  BECOME IMPASSABLE DUE TO RAPID SNOW ACCUMULATION. EXTREMELY
  HAZARDOUS WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL INTO THE
SIERRA CASCADE RANGE...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD...AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

 

[Smokecreek1]

I sure hope that weather report is right Ski with all those nice snowy things supposed to fall this week! I just put away my deck furnature that I just put out a couple of weeks ago ! And I sure wish I'd went adventuring allot more like you guys did this month and not just sat around bitch'in about the weather . But it sure "feels" like something is coming in-even went out to the wood plie to get wood to refill my ready supply on the poarch .

Smoke

 

[takesiteasy]

Hey all, my son is camping at King's Canyon this weekend. I'm curious what kind of weather they are likely to have. I checked the weather sites but maybe you all have an on the ground feel for it. I think they were planning to stay at the Azalea campground. His hope was to see the big trees with snow on them- looks like he will get his wish.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

It's rained most of last night and all today. More to come, snow in the Cascades, lowering to 3000' tomorrow.