Winter Fox

Fox in Winter ~ Eldora, Colorado
Photo by Dan Vardamis (2/23/2017)

Continuing our "Wildlife in Winter" theme, this photo comes to Head in the Clouds Amherst courtesy of my brother, Dan Vardamis. He snapped this incredible, evocative photo of a resident fox just this morning, outside his home high in the mountains of Eldora, Colorado. Dan’s caption: “And this morning winter is as she should be again.” A few days hence, and winter (sans fox) will also be revisiting us here in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts.

Bobcat in the Snow

Bobcat in the Snow - Hadley, MA (off North Maple Street)
Photo by Ken LeBlond, 2/15/2017

A bobcat family has taken up residence in a marshy area adjacent to where I work in Hadley. It's been very distracting. This photo of one of the adults, affectionately dubbed Bobbi by my colleagues (or is it Bobby?), was taken by Ken LeBlond. Thanks for sharing, Ken!

Mark Twain - yes, a weather humorist too!

Along with being a brilliant essayist, satirist and writer, Twain was
an avid weather follower, sometimes drawing weather patterns
in the margins of his novels (an example of which is shown in this photo).

Those of you having to alter much-anticipated plans due to our impending snowstorm may well appreciate this excerpt from a letter written by Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) to his wife Olivia on Saturday, March 10, 1888, when a great blizzard prevented her from joining him on a trip to New York. Clemens wrote:

And so, after all my labor and persuasion to get you to at last promise to take a week's holiday and go off with me on a lark, this is what Providence has gone and done about it. It does seem to me the oddest thing--the way Providence manages. A mere simple request to you to stay at home would have been entirely sufficient; but no, that is not big enough, picturesque enough--a blizzard's the idea; pour down all the snow in stock, turn loose all the winds, bring a whole continent to a stand-still: that is Providence's idea of the correct way to trump a person's trick. If I had known it was going to make all this trouble and cost all these millions, I never would have said anything about your going. Now in the light of this revelation of the methods of Providence, consider Noah's flood--I wish I knew the real reason for playing that cataclysm on the public: likely enough, somebody who liked dry weather wanted to take a walk. That is probably the whole thing--and nothing more to it.

An aside here - Along with being a brilliant essayist, satirist and writer, Twain was an avid weather follower, often drawing amusing weather patterns in the margins of his novels (an example of which is shown in this photo).

Snowstorm 'a 'Comin'

WINTER STORM WARNING for our area, from 7 am Sunday through 7 pm Monday.

Okay, everyone - our upcoming storm is no laughing matter. Forget that lovely, light fluffy stuff that fell two days ago and you cleared away without breaking a sweat. This storm is forecast to feature 10-16 inches of moderate to heavier wetter snow, starting around 10 am on Sunday and continuing, heavy at times, into Monday afternoon. Also expect 15-25 mph winds and significantly reduced visibility at times. Taken together, this will mean isolated power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines, and some roads will be impassable at times. (Heck, some roads were near-impassable with the fluffy, light stuff.) Travel will be slow at best on well treated surfaces and quite difficult on untreated surfaces. Residents across Southern New England are being advised to only travel in emergencies - if you have to travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your car. Take precautions now, and please stay safe out there!

Winterfest Amherst 2017 TODAY!

Winterfest Amherst 2017, 1-6 pm TODAY at Cherry Hill Golf Course, has hit the jackpot with snow. (Sometimes they actually have to work for it!) Tucked between last week's big snowstorm and tomorrow's (likely) big snowstorm, today's festivities are going to be everything you and your family love about winter. Don't miss out!

For more information, visit the Winterfest Amherst Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/WinterFest-Amherst-251770911536600/

Ice Ice Baby

National Weather Service photo by David P. Smith
shows ice accumulation of 1/2 inch on tree branch

Okay, folks, pay attention. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is currently in effect from 5 AM Tuesday to 3 AM Wednesday. The snow accumulation forecast for tomorrow has decreased to between 1-3 inches around here, BUT the potential ice accretion has increased. We can expect to see between a tenth to a quarter inch of ice accretion (freezing rain) around Amherst, with up to half an inch of ice across the higher terrain of far Northeast and North Central MA. Tomorrow's weather system is expected to start out as all snow between 5 and 9 am, changing to freezing rain by the late morning/early afternoon. It should eventually change to all rain by evening, but pockets of freezing rain may continue across the higher elevations.

It's going to be your basic weather mess. Hazardous travel all over, along with isolated power outages in areas of heavier ice accretion. There will likely be school closings as well. Be prepared for slippery roads, limited visibility, and other drivers who freak out in such weather. Best option if you can swing it - stay home and avoid the ice altogether.