tamarack

Had 0.20" 6 PM thru now, one blip of color might hit us for a few cents. Coming home from BGR we saw dark clouds ahead as we left I-95 in Newport. Adjusted the wipers about 30 times in 45 miles after that, mainly between interval and stop (don't like the squawk of wiper vs. dry glass). Forecast for this aft, tonight, tomorrow - less than 0.1" thrice, even with PoPs of 60/60/80%. The 1-2" is staying west and south.

If we have to endure 3 awful May days, I wish it would RAIN - the 20 months 9/24 thru 4/26 have racked up a deficit of 21.2". Not mid-1960s but troubling. Last week's 3-day soaking rain dropped a modest 0.62"; 2" would be nice.

Low of 27. Had full sun thru 8 AM, now (9:45) more cloud than blue.

80s in May happen most years here - only 4 of 28 failed to reach 80 and the median for May's warmest is 85. As for this week, highs 50s-60s and frost advisory the next 2 mornings.

Some rain every day this month, current total 0.99". At that rate we would finish May about 0.9" BN. If so, it would make 11 BN months in the most recent 12. April had 98% of average thanks to 1.18" on the 30th. The previous 10 months (June-March) were at 61% of average, and met summer's 5.29" was the driest of 28 by 1.95", and only 41% of average. Things aren't bad now, but another such summer might cause problems. The afternoon line of precip split north and south in order to miss here. Were not progged to get much anyway.

Frosty 26 this morning, but at least the sun is out. First 8 days this month has had only 31% of available sunshine; average is 42%. We've had rain on all 8 days, but are running only 90% of average. Tuesday's high of 78 changed the sugar maple buds to small leaves, which haven't expanded much since then. Looks better 20th onward.

Absolutely. My serious climbing days (Katahdin, Little Bigelow, Goose-eye) are done, and my most recent significant adventure was Oquossuc Bald, between Rangeley and Mooselook Lakes in 2020 with SIL and grandkids ages 5 to 14, left the 2-y.o home. Unfortunately, that November Saturday was spitting snow with lousy visibility. Only 1.3 miles and 900+ elev gain but most comes in the rocks of the final 0.3 miles. Cloudy 50s with some drops, good day to help replace the ramp at our church.

Haven't gotten into permethrin yet, just vigilance once I'm back inside. Worked all but once; in November 2022 one found a hiding place in the short hairs and had a drink. It was quickly dispatched but only after infecting me with anaplasmosis, which messed with my balance and eyesight along with making me feel awful. Doxy to the rescue. 10 AM thru 12:30 was spent on the woodlot, with its abundant horizontal fir (thanks to Dec 18, 2023), also wandered thru the cedar swamp, a cool area in both senses. Only found one tick so far, likely a couple will turn up to be squashed. Great day to be in the woods, except for the black flies. They're still only checking the menu, but also checking out eyes and ear canals.

About 10 so far, including one I picked up this morning in the flower garden 2 feet from the porch. 3-4 got their mandibles into me but none have gotten a drink. I'm heading out in a bit to continue the re-inventory of the woodlot, so picking up a few more hitchhikers is inevitable. 0.62" from the latest event. 10 miles WNW in the NW corner of Farmington reported 1.47" - just missed the heavy bands here.

Also included 2 villages, Oxbow and Allagash, with Clayton Lake in the middle of the area. Total population <500, about 0.2 per sq. mile. 78/35 yesterday, maple buds bursting, oak not yet, white ash still asleep.

Along with shade, Norway maples withstand the rigors of urban life better than most species. Unfortunately, they're more brittle than most maples - about the same as silver maple - and very shade tolerant plus loads of early seeds, thus able to invade any native forest condition except perhaps dense hemlocks. Another 'forty', upper 70s from a morning low of 35. Worked up a good sweat thrashing thru blowdowns and wetlands on my tick collection walk - otherwise known as forest inventory.

26 this morning. That's the median for May's coldest. (Median max is 85.) Sun beginning to return after 2 hours of light showers.

Saw a patch of blue and temp climbed over 50, better than yesterday's high of 43. (Avg high is 60.) Had a few IP as rain arrived yesterday afternoon.

Low 40s with light rain. Better to get this crud now than during fruit tree blossom time like last May - pollinators hiding and trying to stay warm.

Totally different subject - 4 days before the above, my supervisor when I began (Jan 5, 1976)as a forester was at the crew camp next to the Canadian border in far northwestern Maine. He woke up on the 17th to see 3" of snow.