Head in the Clouds Amherst: June 2017

Monday, June 19, 2017

Weather this way comes

Storm clouds gathering (taken sometime in the past, not today)
Photo by S. Vardatira

For anyone who hasn’t already heard, we’re expecting isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms over Western Massachusetts and North-Central Connecticut this afternoon and evening. Strong to damaging winds, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall, and flash flooding are the primary threats. Hail and perhaps even an isolated brief tornado are secondary threats. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from Monday afternoon through late Monday night for Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Western and Central Massachusetts and Hartford and Tolland Counties of Northern Connecticut.

I’m all set with my camera, umbrella, and rain jacket. Are you prepared?

On Puffer's Pond

Saturday, February 4, 2023, 3:35 pm: The past two days have seen record-breaking cold in the area, with the temperature dipping to -14F overnight, Friday into Saturday. To make matters worse, the wind was unyielding, whipping through the trees and driving wind chill readings down to -40F. In a season that had been unusually mild up until that point, it was something of a shock. Local residents were suddenly forced to think about warming up their cars, preventing pipes from freezing, and dressing in multiple layers to walk their dogs. By Saturday, while many were happy to hunker down and wait for temperatures to stop breaking low records, this was the moment that ice fishers and skaters had been waiting for all winter. With temps hovering around 12F (albeit above zero) by Saturday afternoon, Puffer's Pond was the place to be for about 30 people, many of whom were spread out over the ice, either ice fishing or playing hockey. While this is a fairly typical sight at Puffer's in the coldest winter months, our current lack of snow made it unique. No one had to contend with snowpack - the skaters didn't even have to clear a "field" for their game. And with all the hiking paths snow and ice-free, photographers had no trouble capturing water flowing through, under, and around layers of ice on the water. And, still, at 12F, without hand and foot warmers, I did not linger long. The temps will be rising quickly in the coming week, climbing well above freezing, even to 50F in the days to come. So, I'm guessing the skaters and ice fishers also won't be here much longer.

(Read past entries here.)

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Monday, June 19, 2017

Weather this way comes