There have also been warnings by the State Dept. of Natural Resources about going out on the ice to go fishing.

Here there isn't even much ice to walk on No ice fishing here either. If it were legal one could probably just use the summer tactics, but I don't think that's legal at this time of year in most spots.

the 24hr rule counts here right? If not Mods please merge this two posts.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article ... 439655.php

More bad news from the capital region... I suppose I should ask for prayers for our crops and wildlife.

The apples are starting to bud early because of the warm whether. We had some snow today but it's quickly melted off. It's cold now, but it's going to get back into the 40's this weekend.

Sorry to hear that news wolflover. It may not be long before we hear similar news here.

This month has been incredibly warm, with record highs falling right and left. Any snow we had is long gone, and the moisture deficit could be serious for local agriculture this spring. Also at issue is that once typical winter weather comes, the ground could freeze very deeply, causing lots of spring runoff and flooding in the spring, and little moisture being absorbed for crops once it does thaw out.

We have not fallen below 0F/-17C yet, and at this rate may break the record for the latest date this happens...and sooner or later, it *will* happen.

Here, it has been cold. And there's been a horrible lack of rain.

Pray for rain, everyone!

~Riella

Oh snow, where are you?!

Yes, indeed, where art thou? It has been the brownest winter season in years, although two years ago was akin, but still, we had snow falling, at least, at times, even if it melted the next day. 'Tis a very sad winter so far with many days even above freezing (nigh unheard of in January in southern Ontario), some sun, many clouds (at times with heavy rain)—way too mild. However, that may be changing by Friday, as precipitation is beginning to fall tonight (rain) and changing to snow late tomorrow. Might we finally get some accumulation?

I miss snow.

DITTO (in cased anyone hadn't guessed.

This current lack of mounds of snow is making me wonder how negatively our spring and summer could be affected ...

*wonders what February and March will hold*

Glimmie and Fencer, how has the weather in your respective areas begun this New Year?

This current lack of mounds of snow is making me wonder how negatively our spring and summer could be affected ...

*wonders what February and March will hold*

Ditto Jo. I have been having a feeling that it's going to snow in July. Right now nothing would surprise me.

Glimmie and Fencer, how has the weather in your respective areas begun this New Year?

Thanks for asking, LOTS.

A little warmer and drier here (Southern California) than usual, but not too much. First 6 days of the new year were in the low 70F's which is unusual. Lows have been in the 40F to 50F range so far. And no rain yet in 2012.

Not much change in the foreseeable future. Hope those who want more snow get it.

Rain in January, jo? Wow...normally I'd quote Vizzini ("Inconceivable!") but it's been warm enough for rain here too.

Our January so far sounds quite similar to yours, with the exception of precipitation. It's been extremely dry here, with little rain or snow since late last summer (the Drought Monitor puts the southern part of the state in the Severe category - nothing compared to Texas and other areas suffering dry weather, but still of concern should we get into the planting season without a change in this dry pattern).

Yesterday many areas set record highs exceeding 50F/10C...truly remarkable for this time of year. But today's temps are about 30F/17C or more colder, with blustery winds exceeding 40 miles/hr - making driving across the open prairie rather challenging (especially since we finally got some snow!). It says something about this winter that the TV weather people can get excited about an inch of snow this deep into the season.

And our temps the next few nights will finally approach that magic 0F/-17C mark.

Snow in July? Now that would be something to talk about! Our latest snow date is a mere May 28 (now if we had some mountains, I bet we could get some summer snow )

Just got in a little bit ago from shoveling. About three inches of fluff. Good wind would blow it away. Ah well, need the exercise I suppose
I was out with the young wiggle looking for something to put in the pot later, but even the critters thought it was bad weather to be out. Didn't even come out to mock our poor aim.
Listening to the local weather folks it looks as if the cold is to reach us about wednesday with tems only reaching 7F, with lows about 10 below.

Anyone seen my ear-muffs

Its cold here but it could be much worse, so I'm thankful (its not)
However I'm still longing for spring. I guess the wonder of spring wouldn't be so great if we didn't have to suffer through winter first though.

Hope those who want more snow get it.

We did! At least a skiffle of accumulation on the ground. Yesterday it was misty, foggy, rainy with the temperature climbing to 8C/46.4F , so very unusual for January in our area. Last night, an enormously blustery, adventurous, and mighty strong wind blew in, which brought in a cold front, dropping us to -6C/21.2F, but feeling like -14C/6.8F ... and freezing all car doors shut. This morning when I was out on my walk before sunrise, I saw heavy clouds scuttering overhead, and then, halfway through, snow began. It was so gorgeous—big, thick, Narnia flakes, they were. We are expecting more over the next few days, off and on, until Monday, when the temperatures climb yet again above freezing, sadly. That's the way of this winter: cold, warm, cold, warm, like a yo-yo. We have yet to shovel the driveway and I surely miss that activity!

Last night, in between the tempestuous clouds, I caught a brief glimpse of bright Venus, shining like a burning eye in the SW heavens. A very lovely sight. Also, in the evening I noticed the Hunter/Orion was climbing a bit higher in the SE ... what an awesome sight!

Our latest snow date is a mere May 28 (now if we had some mountains, I bet we could get some summer snow )

Wouldn't that be awesome? Summer snow!

I was out with the young wiggle looking for something to put in the pot later, but even the critters thought it was bad weather to be out. Didn't even come out to mock our poor aim.

Sounds like very inclement weather indeedy.

I guess the wonder of spring wouldn't be so great if we didn't have to suffer through winter first though.

Good point! Except, since I'm more of a cold-weather person than not, I say the same about summer. "The wonder of winter wouldn't be so great if we didn't have to suffer through summer first."

We must be getting the same storm heading into our area. Picked up the pffspring at school after work, and there was hardly a flake to be seen Got home, grabbed some papaerwork, and ran out for an errand, and what should we see but the very same sort of big narnian flakes you spoke of. I suppose it would have been pretty as you said, but I had to keep dumping the drifts off my hat
The temp is also to drop tonight. Well below freezing they say. Ah well, at least the lakes are bound to be safer for ice fishing. Not that I expect the will be biting when we get out there. But then, how is it the human's say it? " A good day of fishing is better than a bad day of work", or something like that

Your posts are always fun to read, Puddleglum. I hope you and the young Wiggles get some time (and fish ) out on the ice.

We're finally getting some winter weather! The Twin Cities reported a low of -11F (-24C) this morning, not at all unusual (except for this winter). It was the latest we've gone into a winter without reaching 0F/-17C; the old record was January 18, 1889.

The high today may not reach 0F (also not terribly unusual). Some locations in northern Minnesota dipped to -24F/-31C this morning - respectable, but nowhere near the -30 to -40F temps this time of year.

Incidentally, this is our coldest week of the year, statistically.

And to add to the fun, up to 6 inches (15 cm) of snow should come tomorrow.

The Seattle area is digging out from record snowfalls overnight, along with freezing rain. Quite an adventure for those in the Northwest!

We're finally getting some winter weather!

Us too! 'Tis the first snowstorm of the year and it's looking to be larger than they have been forecasting. The snow has been falling fairly lightly for a few hours now, but just in the past half hour has become quite heavy to the point where I can hardly see across the street. Soooo gorgeous! Now, this is winter! I don't think our temperatures are quite as cold as yours, stargazer, but they're trying. It's the windchill that's really blustering things up. We should be getting this snow off and on through Sunday, then, as I mentioned above, rain on Monday, but back to cold on Tuesday. If only that rain held off until April ...

Stay safe, all you/we who are finally contending with winter conditions, especially when driving. And I hope your young Wiggles are enjoying this weather, Puddleglum. (Possibly you need a steeper-sloped hat so the snow doesn't settle so readily?) Might have to shovel off a spot on the ice for fishing, hmm?

As for this hobbit, the fur on my toes is keeping them reasonably cozy, and I am looking forward to finally being able to shovel the driveway later today.

A few girlfriends and I always go on a "Christmas Walk" to see the lights during the holidays, and we try and make it on an evening when snow is falling, or at least is on the ground. This year, however, there hasn't been snow to speak of, so we've held off. Now we can hopefully get the walk in since it's all Christmas-y out again. Trouble is, most folk have taken their lights down. Ah well, it'll still be great walking in the snow, hearing it crunch under our feet, with that clear, clean, cold, invigorating air around us.

I do thank you stargazer for the kind words. I should be glad that someone enjoys my posts, though I suppose the other Marsh-Wiggles would remind me about my not being serious enough
Had our tast of the chill this morning. The walk to the garage was enough to wake the slumber right out of you. -15 on the thermometer, and I doubt it got above -1 all day. I had to check for ice forming on my nose.
My good Hobbit. Oh how I envy you those furry toes on a day like this Webbed feet are better suited to a muddy marsh. And try to find boots for this weather I am however determined to make use of this fluffy stuff. Once a sufficient amount has accumulated I shall take part in that ever so human pastime, and make a snowman, (or wiggle)