High 75. Cloudy and rainy.
I don't complain about the weather. This is because my father, a rugged yet sensitive guy with Canadian heritage, always told me not to complain about things you can't fix. We all have to live with the weather, and there's nothing we can do to change it, so I might as well just move on with my life.
That said, this has been a rainy June. So much so that I am starting to get concerned about the tomatoes and basil I am expecting in August. And what makes me even more concerned is that my farmers are disheartened by the weather. Farmers!
Nevertheless, between rain drops I went down to the Manhan River trails and saw a lovely belted kingfisher (female)!
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, December 12, 2008
After the storm
High 36, mostly cloudy
The ice storm that came last night was mild in the Easthampton area, but left the hilltowns and the northern Pioneer Valley with a thick glaze and no power. By noon, the ice had melted off the branches in downtown Easthampton. Mountain Road stayed open throughout the storm and was safe at 10 am when I drove to work.
Ice storms in New England play an important role in shaping the natural landscape and increasing the biodiversity of the forests. These storms are common in our area, and more dramatic and frequent in the higher elevations and in northern New England. The effect is fallen trees and broken tree limbs, both of which allow light to reach the forest floor. The openings are opportunities for herbaceous plants and for pioneer trees like White Pine (Pinus strobus) to exploit. Finally, they get their chance! The seeds that have been dormant for years can sprout, and the new plants can grow (and sometimes become a source of reachable browse for deer and other animals).
I went for a very short hike in the Dwyer Conservation Area this afternoon. I forgot that there was a flood warning for this area, and when I got to the trail head I saw that sure enough, the Manhan River had swelled. I could walk no further than to the first bench. The water was almost over the high banks here. If we get more water, the river will surely spill out onto the floodplain.
[caption id="attachment_24" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="High water at the Dwyer Conservation Area"]
[/caption]
From the banks I thought about how fun it might be to kayak in these high waters. When the rivers are flooded, you can float over fields and through people's backyards; you can go places you could never go otherwise. But a second look at the water told me that kayaking the Manhan today might not be such a good idea. Strange eddies and odd currents made the water look unpredictable, wild and mysterious. Maybe even dangerous! I've fallen in the Manhan in November, and that's an experience I don't want to relive. I'll wait till spring and watch from the bench.
[caption id="attachment_25" align="alignnone" width="418" caption="View from the bench"]
[/caption]
The ice storm that came last night was mild in the Easthampton area, but left the hilltowns and the northern Pioneer Valley with a thick glaze and no power. By noon, the ice had melted off the branches in downtown Easthampton. Mountain Road stayed open throughout the storm and was safe at 10 am when I drove to work.
Ice storms in New England play an important role in shaping the natural landscape and increasing the biodiversity of the forests. These storms are common in our area, and more dramatic and frequent in the higher elevations and in northern New England. The effect is fallen trees and broken tree limbs, both of which allow light to reach the forest floor. The openings are opportunities for herbaceous plants and for pioneer trees like White Pine (Pinus strobus) to exploit. Finally, they get their chance! The seeds that have been dormant for years can sprout, and the new plants can grow (and sometimes become a source of reachable browse for deer and other animals).
I went for a very short hike in the Dwyer Conservation Area this afternoon. I forgot that there was a flood warning for this area, and when I got to the trail head I saw that sure enough, the Manhan River had swelled. I could walk no further than to the first bench. The water was almost over the high banks here. If we get more water, the river will surely spill out onto the floodplain.
[caption id="attachment_24" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="High water at the Dwyer Conservation Area"]
[/caption]From the banks I thought about how fun it might be to kayak in these high waters. When the rivers are flooded, you can float over fields and through people's backyards; you can go places you could never go otherwise. But a second look at the water told me that kayaking the Manhan today might not be such a good idea. Strange eddies and odd currents made the water look unpredictable, wild and mysterious. Maybe even dangerous! I've fallen in the Manhan in November, and that's an experience I don't want to relive. I'll wait till spring and watch from the bench.
[caption id="attachment_25" align="alignnone" width="418" caption="View from the bench"]
[/caption]Thursday, December 11, 2008
The ice storm cometh
High 36, rainy
A warm front brought mild temperatures up into the 60s yesterday. The rain that came with the warmth and the air felt like spring, but a hesitant spring. Everyone could tell that the warm weather wouldn't last, and that a drop in temperature was on the way. That brings us to today. While much colder, it hasn't gotten to the freezing point. Yet. Ice is expected later, when the temperatures dip even further.
A warm front brought mild temperatures up into the 60s yesterday. The rain that came with the warmth and the air felt like spring, but a hesitant spring. Everyone could tell that the warm weather wouldn't last, and that a drop in temperature was on the way. That brings us to today. While much colder, it hasn't gotten to the freezing point. Yet. Ice is expected later, when the temperatures dip even further.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)