Head in the Clouds Amherst: This way Asperitas, that way Lenticular, oh my!

Thursday, May 2, 2024

This way Asperitas, that way Lenticular, oh my!

Asperitas clouds over Amherst, 5/1/2024
Photo by Sharon Vardatira

Crazy day at work, managing a constant stream of mini crises. Finally decided I just had to take a break, and wow am I glad I did. Asperitas over Amherst, cloud spotters! This is not a type of cloud you see every day! (Can't help but observe that it's a bit of a crazy day in the atmosphere as well.) 🌥💙

Lenticular clouds over Hadley, 5/1/2024
Photo by Sharon Vardatira

As I was taking pictures of the Asperitas clouds over Amherst, I happened to turn around to catch these lenticular clouds (the circular, stacked, top-like clouds) over Hadley. They hung around for only a minute before dispersing, but the sky was high drama in all directions for a time there. Not the noisy, windy, heart-thumping drama of a descending cumulonimbus, but drama nonetheless for anyone who was paying attention. Lenticular clouds come in different shapes and sizes, but I've never photographed this classic top shaped version around here before. New addition to my cloud collection!

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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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Thursday, May 2, 2024

This way Asperitas, that way Lenticular, oh my!

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