Winter Weather Update

Well, we had our first snowfall of the winter of A.D. 2009/2010 on Thursday, A.D. 2009 October 15. It was the earliest snowfall that anyone in my family could remember. (They've lived in this area since 1977.) The snowfall marked the midpoint of about six straight days of extremely unseasonable weather. After a full day of light-to-moderate snow, it began sticking at about 19:30 at my home. When we awoke the next morning, a full 6 centimeters (about 2.5 inches) had accumulated. The rarity of such an early storm is illustrated by the fact that a coworker's father (whose birthday is October 15) could not remember ever having snow on or before his birthday...and he's 85. The storm really was a special treat, and I feel blessed to have experienced it. The statistics for the storm are as follows:

First snow: 2009 October 15
First snow accumulation: 2008 October 15 (06 centimeters)

Through A.D. 2009 October 17:

Days with snow cover: 03
Days with complete snow cover: 00
Total snowfall: 006 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 06 centimeters
Greatest snow event: 06 centimeters

P.S. Complete snow cover lasted until about 14:00 on Friday, October 16. Friday's high temperature was only 34 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1 degree Celsius) and much of the snow remained at nightfall. The following morning, there were still pockets of snow dotting the landscape.

First hard frost...for real.

Well, the growing season of 2009 came to an end on Monday, A.D. 2009 October 12. We had experienced a few light frosts in the weeks leading up to the 12th, but none that left the entire yard white. Monday was 27º Fahrenheit (-2.7º Celsius). The tomato plants were totally wiped out, which pretty much defines a "hard frost." With this information, I can tally the length of the 2009 growing season:

Last hard frost of spring: 2009 May 19
Last light frost of spring: 2009 May 19
First light frost of autumn: 2009 September 20
First hard frost of autumn: 2009 October 12
Length of the 2009 growing season: 145 days

The statistics for the growing season of 2008 were:

Last hard frost of spring: 2008 May 05

Last light frost of spring: 2008 May 28

First light frost of autumn: 2008 September 19

First hard frost of autumn: 2008 October 07

Length of the 2008 growing season: 154 days

The statistics for the growing season of 2007 were:

Last hard frost of spring: 2007 May 14

Last light frost of spring: 2007 May 22

First light frost of autumn: 2007 September 17

First hard frost of autumn: 2007 October 29

Length of the 2008 growing season: 167 days

The statistics for the growing season of 2006 were:

Last hard frost of spring: 2006 May 07

Last light frost of spring: 2006 May 07

First light frost of autumn: 2006 September 29

First hard frost of autumn: 2006 October 06

Length of the 2008 growing season: 151 days

I'm not sure of the spring statistics for 2005 because my wife and I lived in western New York for a brief period of time. The autumn statistics were as follows:

First light frost of autumn: 2005 October 20

First hard frost of autumn: 2005 October 28