katabatic

The last 3 weeks have been rough. A few days ago, we made a run at 70 (66 IMBY). Been a string of +30 anomalies, especially at night. My husband works at Wisp and I am surprised they have been able to stay open - gotta hand it to them. Mid January was awesome...for a week. All the lifts open, trails in great shape (and employees were getting their fair share of overtime and it was truly a jovial atmosphere there). And like that, the switch flipped which made the good stretch even more painful to say goodbye to. The next week they will be able to make snow at night, so there's that.

I'm not sure a lot of folks should be throwing stones inside their own glass houses. Take a look at the snowfall forecasts from the beginning of winter in our little contest. A lot of people thought (hoped) this would be the yin to make up for 7 years of yang, but barring a late season fluke, it certainly looks like another bust. So we are all in the same swirling eddy of despair - doesn't matter if someone is a "quality poster" or has a colorful tag. The posters who, as you say, are leading the good fight are highlighting models that look good on paper but ground truth is anything but. Folks, the old rules NO LONGER APPLY, rendering these goddamn weeklies that we've been seeing day after day after day after day after day after day completely useless. That is the source of so much angst. We are just too goddamn warm and it is frankly scary how warm it has been for so long. I noticed that it is above freezing on the southern shores of Hudson Bay today. February 10th. Even in our toasty world that's obviously ridiculous but it is happening. Even out here in the Boonies, I had a good start but recently had days of +30 anomalies and its been 3 weeks since the last decent snowfall during prime climo. Looks to change at least IMBY next week - well, kinda - but I think the writing is on the wall (toilet bowl?) for another disappointing season. Soon, the reality will set in that swimming upstream ain't worth the effort. Model chasing is now the posterchild for an exhausting, diminishing return.

-5.8 this morning - coldest by far (previous low for the winter was 2.5).

19 inches total for the storm. Healthy snowpack with a current temp of 13.5. Sooo wish this was going to stick around for a while…

16.6” so far with light snow continuing. Low was 8.2 and currently a whopping 8.6. Wind, while of course adding to the arctic feel, has fortunately been less of a factor than I thought - strongest gust overnight was 32 mph but most times way less. Getting prepped to head to Canaan in a few for tubing.

Continued impressive amounts of upslope. 12 degrees on the nose and an estimated tally so far of 15". Trying my best to measure as accurately as I can. The wind has been gusting in excess of 35 mph for the past few hours.

Cooking a big pot of beef stew, got the stereo cranked and watching it come down. Up to 10.4" and temp is 16.2. Like most of us here, I will remember this day for a long, long time. Savor every minute.

8.8" so far and the upslope is still rocking. Temp down to 19.4 but fortunately the winds are still behaving.

Well if you or anyone else changes their mind, the offer stands! Upslope is really starting to crank now...spent the last 90 minutes digging out and it is the best workout ever. Temp at midnight was 24.6 now down to 20.3 with west winds picking up to 20 MPH.

So the forecast for Garrett County is just epic. Not surprisingly, I cannot get anyone to go tubing with me at Canaan tomorrow (but had to buy tickets not only for tomorrow but Sunday as well...the only way to experience this is to be out in it!!) but @nj2va is in town and he and I are meeting at Mountain State Brewing Co (6690 Sang Run Rd. McHenry) tomorrow at 7 PM if any other like minded weenies are in the area. First round and pizza is on me. This is a time for celebration.

What an absolutely fanfuckingtastic day. 3.6” so far and 22.3 degrees. I’m just staring out the front porch in heaven.

Currently 27.7 with a thickening overcast. Hoping that the Sterling forecast verifies here but the air is really dry w/a DP of -4.4 so it'll take a while for precip to make it to the ground.

Will be kneeling so often that at the end, he'll need a cracker and something to drink.

2.5/-2.4. Winds still a bit elevated with a wind chill of -11. Would love to see a subzero night out of this stretch.

IMO can't get much better than today (wrt winter weather). Snowing lightly since dawn and currently 10.8 degrees with lots of blowing snow. Since yesterday, picked up 3.4" which wasn't warning criteria like was hoisted, but freshened everything up and it is just beautiful. I have also surpassed my total for last season. Granted, even out here that was a very low bar, but still beating it by January 16th ain't too shabby. Loved, loved, loved seeing everyone get in on the action last couple of days.

Starting to get in on the action. About a half inch so far. 18.9/16.3. Beautiful cold night with no wind.

I have got to be at or above 4 feet in south Buffalo. This was taken a few hours ago and been snowing since.

Yeah seriously. I missed most of the band yesterday and was pissing and moaning - I could literally see the wall of snow from my Airbnb house. Well it moved north and stalled overnight/this morning and the yard stick disappeared when I went to measure now. Had 10 inches yesterday at around 5 pm and I’m guestimating 4 feet now but it may be more… ended up picking the jackpot spot to chase.

Buffalo did not disappoint.

I chased this one and I’m literally a mile too far north from that epic band. I can see the dark clouds in the short distance. Extracting a healthy tooth would be less painful.

I made it to Chicago Thursday evening(far western burbs) and it didn’t disappoint. Beautiful heavy snow - all told 12-14. Got up this morning and said F it after reading the forecast. Threw my crap in the truck and drove to Buffalo. Almost didn’t make it - in fact I discovered too late that what I thought was the street coming off the highway wasn’t a street at all. I drove through someone’s front yard. That’s how poor the visibility was. I have a fairly strong appetite for winter adventure but this was a bit much even for me. Made it to the Airbnb SE of downtown near Seneca tho and it’s the most intense snow I’ve ever seen (and I chased the Nov’22 storm here). The band will oscillate but this general area where I am appears to be good for 30+.

Nah, I'm a dude and he's a dude and it's a comment in complete jest. Just happy to see a doable solution for everyone.

Looks better than my spouse on our wedding day.

Many thanks! I really appreciate your insight. 10 wind driven inches and vodka cold following makes for a helluva weekend. But, if you see a truck with Maryland plates stuck on 90, uh remember me lol.

Heading out tomorrow around noon for Chicago (specifically Algonquin). Opted to throw my shit in the truck and drive vs. try and make the United flight with the weather/grounded planes 'n all. Will try to intercept LES in northern Indiana Saturday if it materializes as well. Staying with one of my closest friends who is still to this day continually amazed at how much I love snow. Trying to sweeten the pot for her to come with me by cooking for the whole family the rest of the long weekend lol.