25 May 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 May 25:

Days with snow cover: 128
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 162 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 April 21
Latest light frost: A.D. 2011 April 22
Latest hard frost: A.D. 2011 April 22


There you have it.  Even though it was bloody cold, we didn't have any frost after April 22.  I believe that was the earliest last frost we've had since I've lived here.  It was an anti-climatic end to the coldest, snowiest winter I've experienced in New York.  As I said, it was bloody cold through the end of April and into the beginning of May.  Most days had high temperatures in the 40s or low 50s (the averages were upper 50s and low 60s) and it rained almost every day for more than three weeks.  What a miserable Spring.  The rain remained well into May (it's still here), but the temperatures have finally returned to normal.

We still haven't had any very hot weather, but I'm not complaining.  I think we've had one day that reached 80.  Hopefully, things will remain moderate as long as mother nature will allow it.

05 May 2011

Weather Update

April was the second wettest April in the recorded history of Yates County, New York.  According to The Weather Channel, my location received 5.76 inches of rain in April.  The Weather Channel indicates that the average April rainfall is 2.77 inches.

We haven't had a frost in a while (a couple of weeks), but plant growth (excepting grass growth) has been stunted by the consistent cold, cloudy weather that we've had since March.  It would be ironic if we have one of our earliest last frosts in the same year that we have our coolest, wettest, Spring.

22 April 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 April 22:

Days with snow cover: 128
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 162 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 April 21
Latest light frost: A.D. 2011 April 22
Latest hard frost: A.D. 2011 April 22

It snowed until about 14:00 yesterday. No accumulation, just more cold and wet weather. Today was cloudy with a high in the low 40s. It started sleeting after dark, but it has since changed over to rain. I think that makes 5 out of the past 6 days with frozen precipiation (4 out of 6 with snow).

19 April 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 April 19:

Days with snow cover: 128
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 162 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 April 19
Latest light frost: A.D. 2011 April 15
Latest hard frost: A.D. 2011 April 15

The wind stopped, but it has remained cold the past couple of days.  It snowed yesterday and it is snowing right now.  There has been no snow accumulation, but this morning's sleet briefly accumulated on the deck before melting.

Today's snowfall makes three consecutive days with snow.

17 April 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 April 17:
Days with snow cover: 128
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 162 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 April 17
Latest light frost: A.D. 2011 April 15
Latest hard frost: A.D. 2011 April 15
A few flurries in the air today.  Windy and cold again.  Wife and the boys tried to go outside but it was too cold.

06 April 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 April 05:

Days with snow cover: 128
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 162 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 April 05
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 April 05

Yesterday was the first day with a high temperature of 60 degrees or more since last October or November (I have no idea which, but I'd bet it was October).  Yesterday also marked the first day since 2010 December 01 that there was no snow on the ground - anywhere (by midday it was ALL gone). 
Even though today was set up to be our first day without snow cover since last November, this morning we woke up to about a centimeter of snow on the ground.  It melted by about noon, but it did snow off and on all day today.  It was a lot like April 01.

02 April 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 April 01:

Days with snow cover: 124
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 161 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: A.D. 2011 March 31
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 April 01
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 April 01

It snowed off and on all day today, but nothing accumulated.

01 April 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 31:

Days with snow cover: 123
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 161 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: A.D. 2011 March 31
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 31
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 March 31

We got about two centimeters of snow last night and into this morning.  The ground was covered until about 10:30.

30 March 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 30:

Days with snow cover: 122
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 159 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: 2011 March 28
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 30
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 March 25

Well, we did lose complete snow cover during the day on March 28.  However, there is still plenty of snow in places outside.  March 28 was also the first day with a high temperature above freezing since March 22; the high temperature was 33 degrees Fahrenheit.  The morning of the 29th was the fifth consecutive day with a low temperature in the teens - that's pretty chilly for this time of year.  The high temperature on the 29th was 38.  We climbed back up above 40 on the 29th.

28 March 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 27:

Days with snow cover: 119
Days with complete snow cover: 087
Total snowfall: 159 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: 2011 March 27
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 27
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 March 25

Well, we're up to five consecutive days with complete snow cover and high temperatures below freezing.  Today (March 28) looks to be the day we lose the complete snow cover.  Today's high temperature is forecast to be just below freezing.  I'll update at the end of the day.

By the way, the temperature has been 16, 12, 12, 12 the past four mornings.  It has been a little chilly for this time of year.

26 March 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 25:

Days with snow cover: 117
Days with complete snow cover: 085
Total snowfall: 159 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 25
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 25
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: 2011 March 25
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 25
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 March 25

We ended up with three and a half inches on Wednesday.  Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were all below freezing.  Today (Saturday) and the next two days are also forecast to be below freezing.  It is rare to have high temperatures below freezing after the middle of March, and it is unprecedented (in my time here) to have SIX consecutive days below freezing at the end of March.  It snowed on Tuesday (no accumulation), Wednesday (three and a half inches), and Friday (one centimeter).  I'm amazed that the sun hasn't melted the snow yet.  Even though the high temperatures have been in the 20s, the sun is very powerful this time of year...

23 March 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 22:

Days with snow cover: 114
Days with complete snow cover: 082
Total snowfall: 149 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 14
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 10
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: 2011 March 14
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 22
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 March 22

We're in the middle of a late-season storm right now.  It looks like we've had three or four inches today, but it's still snowing and I haven't bothered to measure since it will have changed by the morning.  Today (March 23) was our most recent day with a high temperature below freezing.  It never got above 28 degrees F. today.  Likewise, today was our latest snowfall, latest date with complete snow cover, and latest date on which the ground was covered with snow.  This will be reflected in my next post once the storm ends, but I wanted to make sure that I put it down today anyway.

P.S. There were still a few places around the farm with snow cover before today's storm.  Hence, we have still had "snow cover" even though the ground has been bare (in most places) for close to two weeks.

14 March 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 14:

Days with snow cover: 106
Days with complete snow cover: 082
Total snowfall: 149 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 14
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 10
Latest date on which the ground was covered with snow: 2011 March 14
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 14
Latest snowfall: A.D. 2011 March 14

A centimeter of snow last night.  It remained well into the day.

13 March 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 13:

Days with snow cover: 105
Days with complete snow cover: 082
Total snowfall: 148 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)
Latest date with a high temperature at or below freezing: A.D. 2011 March 08
Latest date on which the ground was completely covered with snow: 2011 March 12
Latest date with complete snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 10
Latest date with snow cover: A.D. 2011 March 13

We had two centimeters of snow on Friday night.  It remained for a couple of hours on Saturday morning. (A.D. 2011 March 12)

07 March 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 March 07:

Days with snow cover: 099
Days with complete snow cover: 079
Total snowfall: 146 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 28 centimeters (11 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

Well, this is the winter that refuses to make way for Spring.  It took until Saturday, March 05 for the most recent accumulation of snow to melt.  March 05 was the first day since February 18 that we didn't have complete snow cover.  Back in February we got four inches immediately after losing complet snow cover.  Well, this time we got eleven inches.  It snowed all day March 06.  It was the fourth consecutive storm to be our largest of the season.

26 February 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 February 26:

Days with snow cover: 090
Days with complete snow cover: 071
Total snowfall: 117 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 20 centimeters (8 inches)
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

On Friday, A.D. 2011 February 25, a storm dropped 8 inches of snow.  It was our largest snow event of the season, and the average snow depth is around a foot.

23 February 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 February 23:

Days with snow cover: 087
Days with complete snow cover: 068
Total snowfall: 097 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 10 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

New greatest snow event...four inches!  The 5-9 inches that were forecast turned out to be exactly four inches (about 10 cm).  That's a pretty small "storm," but - incredibly - it is the largest storm we've had this year.  After losing almost all twelve inches of snow we had last week, eight inches accumulated in the next three days.

Two of the past three days the highs have been in the mid teens, the other day was in the low twenties.  Today's supposed to be around freezing.  As I type this it is three degrees below zero.

20 February 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 February 20:

Days with snow cover: 084
Days with complete snow cover: 065
Total snowfall: 087 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 30 centimeters (12 inches)
Greatest snow event: 09 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

Last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were the warmest days since last November!  Wednesday was about 45, Thursday was about 50, and Friday was just shy of 60.  We held on to complete snow cover until Friday, when almost all of the remaining snow melted.  We thought the warmth was going to last a while (high temperatures were forecast to remain above freezing), but it starting snowing early Saturday morning.  The temperature remained steady in the teens and we ended up with another three and a half inches of snow - tied for our largest storm of the season.  Today's high temperature was in the low-to-mid twenties, but we're supposed to get 5-9 inches of snow tonight and head right back into the icebox for the rest of the week.  So much for that forecast!

P.S. I'm going to edit the maximum snow depth and change it to 12 inches.  I'm not sure that we ever had exactly one foot on the ground, but we must have been damned close.  It was hard to get an accurate measurement with all of the drifting that occurred.

14 February 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 February 13:

Days with snow cover: 077
Days with complete snow cover: 059
Total snowfall: 078 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 26.7 centimeters (10.5 inches)
Greatest snow event: 09 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

It warmed up Sunday, February 13 and stayed warm throughout the night.  While we still have complete snow cover, more snow melted Sunday and Sunday night than in the previous month! 

By the way, it was below zero again Friday morning.  Even though the next week is forecast to be warm, it has been one cold winter.

06 February 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 February 06:

Days with snow cover: 070
Days with complete snow cover: 052
Total snowfall: 072 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 26.7 centimeters (10.5 inches)
Greatest snow event: 09 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

The big storm we were supposed to get proved to be a dud.  A grand total of 4 centimeters (less than 2 inches) of snow and sleet accumulated.  The rest of the storm consisted of rain and freezing rain.  After the storm passed, we actually had less snow on the ground than before it started.  Since then, a couple of storms have come through.  Neither were particularly substantial.  We received a centimeter of snow a few days ago.  Yesterday, a storm originally forecast to drop 5 to 8 inches of snow ended up starting as rain, transitioning to freezing rain, and finally dropping 3 centimeters of snow.  It marked the second time in a week that the weathermen have screwed up a forecast within six hours of the storm's arrival.

The freezing rain we had with the past two storms was the only freezing rain we've had this season.  We normally don't get a lot - a couple of storms a year is normal.  Neither of this season's icings have been significant, but that's normal too.

P.S. I don't think the snow depth is any greater than 10.5 inches, but it might be.  We've lost a few inches of snow but we've gained a few inches as well.  I'll measure later and edit this post if necessary.

01 February 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 February 01:

Days with snow cover: 065
Days with complete snow cover: 047
Total snowfall: 064 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 26.7 centimeters (10.5 inches)
Greatest snow event: 09 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

We had about 3.5 inches (about 9 centimeters) of snow last night.  It was tied for our largest snowfall of the season - three storms have dropped as much.  Tonight we're supposed to get a storm that is much more significant, but as I type this the snow has already turned to sleet.  The current forecast on http://www.weather.com/ says we're going to get 6-10 inches of snow, but I think those totals are unlikely.

As an aside, there is now more than ten inches of snow on the ground.  Even though we haven't had any large storms this year, the cold weather has made it possible for the small snow totals to add up.  I'm lamenting my lack of downhill skis.

27 January 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 January 27: 

Days with snow cover:  060
Days with complete snow cover:  042 
Total snowfall: 052 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 14 centimeters
Greatest snow event: 09 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: -12º Fahrenheit (about -24.4º Celsius)

The snowfall I added for last week (9 centimeters) was a SWAG - Scientific Wild Ass Guess.  My third child was born on the 19th and we got something along the lines of three inches that night.  I wasn't home for the next three days.  However, I do know that it got down to -12º Fahrenheit on the morning of January 24.  Once I got away from Seneca Lake, the temperature dropped to -23º Fahrenheit.

17 January 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 January 17: 

Days with snow cover:  050
Days with complete snow cover:  032 
Total snowfall: 042 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 14 centimeters
Greatest snow event: 09 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: 04º Fahrenheit (about -15.5º Celsius)

The "big storm" the other day deposited 9 centimeters (a little less than 4 inches) of snow.  It was our biggest storm  of the season, but only by a hair.  Over the past few days we've had another 5 centimeters (about two inches), which has kept our snow depth (about 5 and a half inches) constant despite settling and evaporation.

I should mention that the cold weather has continued.  Every day since my last post has been well below freezing.  Truly it has been a cold winter.
 
I almost forgot to mention this morning's low temperature!  I didn't get up early enough to check, but my wife claimed this morning's low was -4º Fahrenheit.  When I went to bed at 01:30 last night it was 6º Fahrenheit.  To be honest, I would have expected a low closer to 4 than negative 4, but my wife was adamant.  However, she has a history of reading the thermometer differently than I do.  Weather.com listed last night's low as 7º Fahrenheit, which would fit with a reading of 4º above zero at our house. (We're normally a few degrees cooler than the county airport, where measurements are taken.)  In any case, I'm going to say that this morning's low temperature was 4º F. and hope we have temperatures below -4º before the season ends.

11 January 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 January 11: 

Days with snow cover:  044 
Days with complete snow cover:  026
Total snowfall: 028 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 09 centimeters
Greatest snow event: 08 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: 07º Fahrenheit (about -14º Celsius)

We got a couple inches of snow a few days ago.  We're forecast to have our biggest of the season tonight and tomorrow.

07 January 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2011 January 07: 

Days with snow cover:  040
Days with complete snow cover:  022
Total snowfall: 023 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 09 centimeters
Greatest snow event: 08 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: 07º Fahrenheit (about -14º Celsius)

Since complete snow cover ceased on December 31 we've had very little snow.  In fact, we've had almost no snow cover until today.  This morning we got about one centimeter, and it's still here as of this afternoon.  We did get a centimeter a few days ago but most of it melted within a few hours.

In the past week, most passersby would think we've had NO snow cover, but there were a few spots here and there in the shade.

02 January 2011

Weather Update

Through A.D. 2010 December 31:

Days with snow cover:  033
Days with complete snow cover:  021
Total snowfall: 021 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 09 centimeters
Greatest snow event: 08 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: 07º Fahrenheit (about -14º Celsius)

High temperatures remained below freezing through A.D. 2010 December 29.   Complete snow cover lasted through December 30.  However, it was pretty much gone by the end of the day on the 31st.  I found a few small patches on the morning of the 1st while I was doing some chores outside. 

Through A.D. 2011 January 01: 

Days with snow cover:  034
Days with complete snow cover:  021
Total snowfall: 021 centimeters
Maximum snow depth: 09 centimeters
Greatest snow event: 08 centimeters
Maximum low temperature: 07º Fahrenheit (about -14º Celsius)