UFO Sighting Early Evening (it's true)

I didn't see it myself, but a friend who was quite unnerved by the whole thing called me around 6:30 this evening to report having seen a UFO near the old landfill, where the planned solar array will be situated. The friend was driving at the time, when she saw a number of cars pulled off to the side of the road to watch the object, which was about 2-3 cars in size, evenly spherical, silent, with lights, and hovering about 75' off the ground [correction to original posting: object was more "triangular" than spherical, and slightly smaller, comparable in size to 1-2 cars, not 2-3]. She said you could not miss it even while driving, it was that large and close to the ground. It dipped behind the trees, at which point my friend lost sight of it. Someone else who went out a little later to check things out reported seeing what looked like one single "white cloud" high in the sky - she described it as "lit up" like a city. She also noted a few small planes circling the field where the object had been. I called the Amherst police, who had not heard anything. (Which is surprising, all things considered.)

That part of Amherst does get some fly overs from a nearby military base, though nothing like this obviously. So what do you think?  Is this an object from space? Military? Drone-like thing? Apparently a similar object was seen last week in Greenfield, including by ambulance workers who were nearby. Did you see either of these objects? Reports, please! (Meanwhile, I will endeavor to refrain from freaking out in an excited "what-if-it-is-a-UFO" kind of way!)

Note added 1/8/2016: Subsequent Head in the Clouds Amherst postings on the UFO sightings can be found here:

• More on last night’s UFO report (1/9/13)
• UFO Sightings Covered by Local Press (1/10/13)
• UFO Over Amherst: What Did We Actually See? (1/12/13)
• FAA Weighs in On Amherst UFO Report (Clearing Up Nothing) (1/22/13)

Skating at Puffer’s Pond

Skating at Puffer's Pond, near sunset, 1/4/2013

With the thermostat registering 42°F a few hours ago – and with above freezing temperatures to follow over the next few days - it’s unlikely that anyone will still be skating “on” Puffer’s Pond for much longer. But the skaters were out yesterday, taking advantage of North Amherst’s natural skating rink, the result of days of frigid temperatures earlier this week. Two children, Linus and Silas, and their watchful dad, Sam, were the last people to depart yesterday as the sun was setting. Sam didn’t know who had cleared the snow to form the makeshift rink, but there had clearly been a good deal of traffic earlier in the day. At an average depth of 5’, with a maximum depth of 20’, Puffer’s Pond (and particularly South Beach) has become a magnet for skaters and people ice fishing once the surface is well frozen. As I’ve mentioned in other postings, I am no expert on when the ice can bear weight, and though I’ve lived on or near New England lakes for many years, I have never been one to go out on the ice myself. (In other words, don’t take my word for the safety of going out on the ice - proceed at your own risk.)

Someone or some animal left tracks going all the way from the skating area, across the south side of the pond, and continuing on to the edge of the waterfall. I was too far away from the waterfall to see what happened to the tracks once they reached the edge, but given that the water was audibly crashing over the dam (in other words, not frozen), it strikes me as a somewhat risky route. Even animals don’t necessarily have a sixth sense about these things, as yesterday’s sad news about the rescue of a deer who had fallen through the ice at a Waltham pond reinforces.

From about 1912 to the early 1940s, the Puffer family harvested and delivered ice from an ice house on South Beach. 

Skating at Puffer's Pond, 1/4/2012 (South Beach, where
the ice house and ice elevator once operated, on the right)

Indeed, the whole area has a rich history, first as a village of the Norwottuck natives, thought to have been located in North Amherst adjacent to Mill River (MHC Town Survey: Amherst 1982). And later, in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, Puffer’s Pond was called “Factory Hollow Pond,” and the surrounding area was known as “Factory Hollow,” a manufacturing center that hosted a succession of water powered commercial businesses, including gristmills, saw mills, paper and textile mills, and a hat factory (to name only a few). All that remains of that era are a few stone foundations scattered in the underbrush along the Robert Frost Trail. And, of course, the ice still returns to Puffer's and South Beach every winter.

For those of you who still want to experience skating or ice fishing at Puffer’s Pond and fear you may have missed the cold temperatures, take heart – advanced forecasts are suggesting a VERY cold second half of January.

On Being Right (and also very cold!)

At 5:26 am, January 3 - outdoor sensor reading -1°F

One of the mysteries of this year's Quadrantid meteor shower (at least from my perspective) is how many news outlets seem to have missed doing their homework - a critical point overlooked by many is that location matters enormously for the Quads. As the media blithely encouraged everyone all over the country to go outside in the pre-dawn hours to "see the show," they weren't taking into account that folks in New England and a good chunk of the eastern seaboard of the U.S. were likely to have a very hard time seeing any unusual activity at all. The first problem is that the Quads are not likely to peak for another 1-2 hours (when it's broad daylight here), and the second problem is that the Quads (unlike many other meteor showers) have a very short window during which they can be seen at all - generally, about an hour on either side of peak. My previous posting explains the challenges in seeing the Quads around here this year, and for even more detail (including a cool graphic showing where viewing will be best on the planet) go to EarthSky.  As it turns out, I did wake up around 4:30 am, and despite the frigid temps I actually ventured outside for about 20 minutes. The sky - or what could be seen of it in the glow of the gibbous moon - was complete glittering stillness. In other words, no meteors. If you had - or are having - a different experience, please let us know what you saw, what time it was, and where you were located.

Just for the record, folks in the "high desert" and other points west have just started reporting a number of Quad sightings (but remember that for them it's much earlier in the evening).

Though I didn't see any meteors this morning, there is almost always an upside to stargazing, and last night was no exception. Early in the evening, the stars were clear and brilliant, with Jupiter high in the sky and Orion on full display, and this morning (before dawn) the Big Dipper was close to straight overhead, and the snowscape all around was beautifully lit by the moon. But I won't lie - it was COLD. My weather station outdoor temperature registered a frosty -1°F. Bundle up!

Quadrantid Meteor Shower Bad News/Good News

Quadrantid meteor January 4, 2012 via dshorty on Flickr. View larger.

Tonight’s stargazing scene is pretty much a bad news/good news scenario here in Amherst (and the northeast in general). The bad news is that, despite the clear skies, the Quadrantid meteor shower – characterized by an unusually short peak window – will probably not be visible for us here in Amherst since it is predicted to peak after the sun rises on January 3. And that’s the good news, too – we have a really good excuse for not hauling ourselves out of bed, bundling up (imagine the temperatures outside tonight), and hurling our fragile selves outside into sub-zero temperatures. I would do it (really, I would!) to witness one of the most underrated, unseen and – if caught at the right moment - spectacular annual meteor showers. At its peak, the Quads deliver 60-200 meteors per hour!  (By the way, assuming peak comes as predicted, northwestern North America should be in a good place to watch this year’s Quads.)

That said, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there is always some speculation about when the “Quads” will peak, and this year is no different. Various web sites predict different ideal viewing times, and because this meteor shower has an unusually short hours-long peak window (unlike the Geminids or Perseids which can be seen, usually, over a couple of nights), small differences in when the Quads peak can make all the difference. So, it’s within the realm of possibility that Amherst-based stargazers might actually catch sight of some Quads just before dawn. If you want to give it a whirl, by all means get up around 3:30-4:00 am (before dawn), and look towards the northeast between the horizon and the Big Dipper. Remember, the “non-wind-chill” temperature should be around 3°F at that point, so dress accordingly and fortify yourself with blankets and a thermos of something hot. And if you do go out to meteor watch, we want to hear all about it. Just imagine how it would warm your soul (if not your body) if you did catch these in flight. Moreover, being able to say that you caught the Quads is – in stargazing circles anyway - worth bragging rights for years. I’m not sure yet if I will go out, since sometimes at 4 am the lure of a meteor or two is too much to resist, even if the odds of spotting anything are poor. Ultimately, however, I’m pretty sure the lure of staying warm under the covers will prove even more irresistible. 

Happy New Year!

Here's hoping your weather in 2013 is just the right amount of interesting!

Photos by Sharon Vardatira, Mindy Domb (upper right and second from left
on bottom), and Jill Paul (center, above clouds over Hartford)

Robert Frost Trail After Snow

Fence by House - Amherst MA, 12/30/12

Ski Tracks on the Robert Frost Trail -
Amherst MA, 12/30/12

More pics - these taken Sunday morning - from the Mill River Conservation Area, Robert Frost Trail and Puffer's Pond. Early morning after a snow storm is often the best time to take photographs. Generally, the branches are still laden with snow, and the trails are pristine. I made my way to several trails near Puffer's Pond on Sunday morning, which had already been visited by one early rising cross country skier. On Saturday into Sunday, we got 5 more inches of snow on top of the 6 inches from Wednesday/ Thursday. Even without skis, I was able to easily traverse the terrain, a base of dense packed snow, with a fluffy layer of powder on top. The sun was just rising above the treetops and casting sharply contrasting areas of light and shadow across the glittering white surface. Simply breathtaking.

Following the Ski Tracks,
Robert Frost Trail -
Amherst MA, 12/30/12

Tree Branches Over the Trail,
Robert Frost Trail -
Amherst MA 12/30/12

Where Cushman Brook Meets Puffer's Pond -
Amherst MA, 12/30/12

Where is the Window Into Summer?

Mackenzie (the cat) at the Window - N. Amherst MA, 12-30-12

Snapped this photo earlier today of our cat Mackenzie gazing out the window and taking in the new snowscape outside. Another 5 inches of snow fell yesterday and last night. It is cold, beautiful, and sunny.

Jim Cantore Calling (aka Storm Warning in the Air)

Sky Over Amherst - 12/29/2012; 10:00 am

A short while ago, my phone rang, and who should be on the other end but Jim Cantore (famed Weather Channel meteorologist) informing me that a “severe weather alert” had been issued for my area. Friends who are not weather obsessed are often wowed by the fact that Jim Cantore calls on a regular basis to warn me about impending weather events. I mean, who am I to get such preferred treatment? One night earlier in the fall, as thunderstorms were marching in succession across the Valley over the course of several hours, Jim actually called me about a dozen times. To be honest, since our gathering could hear the thunderstorms all around, the warnings were hardly necessary. But I think it made all of us feel just a little more secure knowing Cantore was on the job, looking out for us. Those of you who follow the weather (heck, Cantore may actually call you, too) know that, in actuality, the phone calls I am receiving are completely automated. So far anyway, Jim Cantore has not placed an individual call to my phone. “Notify” by the Weather Channel provides the service, and Jim Cantore is the voice on the line. Those of you who receive these calls can testify to their effectiveness. Jim Cantore’s affect is serious and urgent, calm, and clear about the need for the listener to “take all appropriate precautions.” Or something like that anyway.

All this to say that, according to Jim (and as you probably already know unless you’re vacationing on a tropical island somewhere), a Winter Storm Warning is currently in effect for our area through 6 am Sunday morning. Expect between 4-6 inches of snow (possibly more, as predictions have been inching up since this morning). The area in and around Boston will get the most snow, but Amherst will also get a “plowable” amount of the fluffy, white stuff. At the moment, it’s coming down at a good rate. Skiers will be happy, as will anyone who enjoys going outside in snowy weather. My walk to Puffer’s Pond earlier today was especially beautiful in the falling snow.  I crossed paths with Millie, an adorable, 12-week old labradoodle puppy, and her new owner, both of whom paused to greet me. Millie was absolutely giddy with excitement - about me, about the outing, about the snow on the ground, about the snow falling from the sky. And I could completely relate! Enjoy the weather everyone - and stay safe out there.

Black Ice Morning and Gilliflowers

As I suspected, our driveway is a glittering, sun-soaked sheet of ice this morning, camoflaged only slightly by a quarter inch of snow on top of that treacherous ice (oh, joy!). This is what happens - even if you clear away the snow - when freezing rain is followed by more snow and cold temps. The scene outside is so pristine and silvery that I almost hate to muck it up with sand and salt. Almost. As much as I appreciate the frozen landscape, it's nevertheless necessary to go out - and the temps don't look to be rising significantly above freezing anytime soon. News stations were reporting some black ice on the local roads earlier this morning and especially last night, but between the road treatments and the sun, travel is fine now, except possibly on the most remote roads.

For the first time since the infamous October 2011 Halloween storm, our garden is blanketed with snow. As Amherst's resident poet Emily Dickinson wrote to Louise Norcross in 1861, "My garden is all covered up by snow; picked gilliflower Tuesday, now gillflowers are asleep. The hills take off their purple frocks, and dress in long white nightgowns." To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't know a gilliflower if I tripped across one (feel free to send photos if you grow them), but the sentiment resonates just the same.

Enjoy the sun while it's here - another snowstorm arrives on Saturday midday and continues into early Sunday, bringing along with it another 3-6 inches of snow!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Morning

State Street Towards Puffer's Pond by Railroad Overpass - 12/27/12

Trail Unbroken, Robert Frost Trail/Kevin Flood Accessible Trail - 12/27/12

The snow changed to rain earlier this morning in most parts of the Valley, but at least here in North Amherst, the snow has only just changed to something more like sleet/snow, evidenced by the gentle pinging sound of ice crystals hitting the ground, fences, roofs. I measure between 5-6 inches of snow on the ground, and the temperature is holding at 31.1, as measured from my outdoor sensor. The official Amherst temperature is 32, but right here near the border of Amherst and Leverett, where the elevation is slightly higher, the temperature is often just a tad lower. In this case, that may have kept us in snow longer than expected. We are still likely to experience a turnover to rain, freezing rain, and sleet, and I hear the roads are treacherous, so go slow if you have to drive out at all. (We'd love reports about what's happening in other parts of Amherst and surrounding areas.)

If you have snow shoes or cross country skis, you may still have some time to make use of them. But be aware that the snow is heavy and wet, so keep that in mind. I trekked down to Puffer’s Pond this morning wearing boots and was beautifully rewarded for the effort. It is pretty rare to be the first person to break trail at Puffer’s, but that was me this morning. And there is nothing like falling snow against fresh snow to paint a landscape.

Robert Frost Trail - 12/27/12

Robert Frost Trail, Bridge Over
Cushman Brook - 12/27/12

Cushman Brook (which feeds Puffer's Pond) - 12/27/12

And, yes, the title of this posting is a bit of an homage to Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" - seemed only right as the trail I was traveling is called the "Robert Frost Trail." Enjoy the snow, everyone, and stay safe out there.

Head in the Clouds Amherst Also on Twitter and Facebook!

Just in case you haven't discovered this yet, Head in the Clouds Amherst is also posting occasional "short" messages (tweets and quick updates about the weather) to Twitter @cloudsamherst and Facebook at Head in the Clouds Amherst. "Follow" us on Twitter and/or "Like" us on Facebook to get the full "Head in the Clouds" experience. During storms and power outages, we particularly appreciate receiving frequent updates about what's happening where you are. We've got over an inch on the ground right now, snow falling steadily and temperature hovering just around 31 degrees in N. Amherst. (Up .2 degrees in the last hour.) Barometer continues to fall and is now at 29.22 Hg. Do you have snow?  And if so, how much?

Winter Storm Euclid Headed Our Way

If you've been caught up in holiday festivities over the past few days, now would be the time to watch the weather more closely. A "winter storm warning" is currently in effect for our local area including interior parts of southern New England from 7 pm this evening to 1 am EST early Friday morning. Named "Winter Storm Euclid" by the Weather Channel, this storm wreaked havoc to the west and south of us yesterday, with snow, ice and sleet over the midwest and an unprecedented number of tornadoes in the south. Exactly how much precipitation we will get as snow in Amherst seems to be a moving target - last night, local estimates had us getting a few inches of snow starting tonight, with precipitation turning over to sleet/freezing rain/rain by tomorrow. As of this morning, the snow accumulations are higher, with forecasts predicting as much as 6 to 10 inches overnight, with a mix of ice, sleet and rain by tomorrow mid-morning as temperatures jump above freezing before dropping back below freezing later tomorrow afternoon and evening. With the temperatures hovering just below and above freezing during this storm, it's easy to see how even a slight shift in either direction could make a big difference in how this plays out. Whatever snow does fall will be heavy and wet, and anything else that comes down on top of that will only make things worse. Of course, the forecast will continue to be refined as we get closer to the main event - and regardless of how much comes down and in what form, it's clear we are in for a major storm, with snow, sleet, wind, ice and rain. Expect hazardous driving conditions tonight into Thursday, high winds (15-25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph), and visibilities down to a quarter mile or less in areas of heavy snow.

Dusting of a White Christmas

Snowing on the Robert Frost Trail - 12-25-2012

Robert Frost Trail/Kevin Flood Accessible Trail - 12-25-2012

Snowing at Puffer's Pond, South Beach - 12-25-2012

Although conditions may not be ideal for breaking out the snow shoes or cross country skis (in Amherst anyway), nature has brought us a lovely, gentle dusting of snow this Christmas morning. It’s expected to continue snowing lightly until around noon today, so we may even come close to accumulating an inch of the white stuff. No complaints here, however. My morning walk to Puffer’s Pond and along the Robert Frost Trail was beautiful. Except for the snow falling gently, everything else was still, with every tree and stone etched in white.  Enjoy the view, everyone - and to those who are celebrating, have a very merry Christmas!

The Year in Weather 2012 - A Video Retrospective

What could be more appropriate on the solstice (in my opinion the only true demarcation between one year and the next) than the year in review via satellite? Our friends at Weather Underground have put together this 4 minute video, comprised of some 8,000 satellite images, showing the most significant meterological events of the past year, including Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Isaac, droughts, and more. It is - in a word - mesmerizing.