Trixology

Weather => General Weather Discussion => Topic started by: elagache on December 21, 2017, 10:20:04 PM

Title: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: elagache on December 21, 2017, 10:20:04 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

The Winter Solstice occurred morning at 8:28 am (PST).  So we are now officially in Winter.  With a high pressure dominating our weather, California wasn't the ideal place to come up with a photograph to announce the change of season.  However, I did managed to catch this scene of dramatic clouds behind some denuded trees:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-5VWcPrD/0/d9219057/XL/Dramatic%20sky%20behind%20tree%20branches-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-5VWcPrD/A)

On the other hand, there are lots of you folks were Winter is - ominous and oppressive!  [freeze]  So what are you "buried by Winter types" waiting for?  At least try poking the camera in front of a window and see what you get! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/kodak.gif)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: xairbusdriver on December 21, 2017, 11:14:53 PM
Exactly what are those three horizontal "clouds"? They look a bit like jet contrails but more like flying saucer trails! :o

We had temps in the upper 50's today. There is a cold front moving in from you people in the west and north who can't keep better control of your weather! [banghead] Doesn't look like we have much control of ours, however... [rolleyes2]
Quote
from: Dec 22 2017 9:00 am -  until: Dec 23 2017 9:00 am
HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED FRIDAY ACROSS MUCH OF THE MID-SOUTH... A slow moving cold front will move across the region Friday and Friday night. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms will move across the region starting Friday morning and ending Saturday morning. Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected in the watch area with isolated rainfall amounts of over 6 inches.
Good thing we live near the top of a hill and I got a few gutters replaced last month!
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Blicj11 on December 22, 2017, 12:56:29 AM
From my WeatherCam at noon today. 8 inches on the ground.
Title: No kiddin' (Re: Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on December 22, 2017, 11:24:18 PM
Dear X-Air. Blick, and WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

Thanks for the winter scenery!  :)

There is a cold front moving in from you people in the west and north who can't keep better control of your weather! [banghead]

 :( . . . . . No kiddin'  As things stand it will be in the top 10 of driest Decembers for the San Francisco Bay Area.  I would gladly take that heavy rain if you could send it back this way.

Oh well, . . . . Edouard
Title: Another unexpected birdbath visitor! (Re: Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on January 13, 2018, 10:44:59 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the nature all around us,

It's been a few years, but once more I had an unexpected visitor in the ground level birdbath we have in the backyard:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-CCPnw9Z/0/6fc6723b/XL/Salamander%20in%20bird%20bath-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-CCPnw9Z/A)

When I found it at about 8am, it seemed content and quiet.  However, when I checked again at about noon, it was clearly struggling to get out and utterly failing.  I helped it make an escape, but wonder if I didn't remove it from the frying pan only to put it into the fire.  Salamanders need a very moist environment and as long as it is raining it will be okay, but this is California after all.

I'm still wondering what creature is putting salamanders in this birdbath.  Perhaps it is raccoons.  They do frequent this birdbath, especially in the Summer when all other sources of water dry up.  Of course these dainty creatures will wash their food when possible.  Salamanders on the other hand are frequently poisonous.  It could be a raccoon tried to eat this creature and couldn't, thereby leaving it in the bath.  I don't know where the raccoons could have found it, but it seems a bit too large for the local birds to carry.

That's the wild tale from California for today!  :D

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1] 
Title: California fungi season! (Re: Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on January 17, 2018, 11:47:10 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

We had one very wet storm saturate the ground and some weak storms to keep everything wet.  That brings out an unusual sight for California: mushrooms.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-FhDQdWc/0/c1421aab/XL/Wild%20mushrooms%20around%20log-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-FhDQdWc/A)

I suppose for many regions of the world, this is more of an Autumn or Springtime scene.  In California the conditions have to be just right for mushrooms to reveal themselves:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-Vs99jMq/0/d3d21584/XL/Wild%20mushrooms%20against%20bricks-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-Vs99jMq/A)

This year has been better than average although not nearly as nice as last year.  Here is one more scene with a bit for perspective thrown in for fun:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-dJSvWWW/0/8acbe7d0/XL/Mushrooms%20large%20and%20small-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-dJSvWWW/A)

It is supposed to remain wet like this for another week or so before the demon high pressure ridge is forecast to return.  So the fungi have one more week to reproduce before the moisture will disappear.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Blicj11 on January 19, 2018, 04:48:11 PM
Your rain is bringing snow to the mountains west of you. We need the water so keep it coming as long as you can.
Title: The changing of the guard . . . . . (Re: Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on February 03, 2018, 12:09:20 AM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

The seasons are changing all around me and I did my best to capture it in an image:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-sXkT2L3/0/425ca79f/XL/Changing%20of%20the%20guard%20-%20daffodils%20for%20mushrooms-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-sXkT2L3/A)

It is already too hot and dry for the mushrooms who are fading while the daffodils are showing up.  The forecast models having nothing but dry hot weather expected for the next two weeks at least.  Whatever rains we'll get for the remainder of the seasons will be Springtime rains.  Winter is over for California.  Sadly we are back to our "typical drought routine . . . . . "  (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/desert-smiley.gif)

Oh well, . . . . . Edouard   :(
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: xairbusdriver on February 03, 2018, 02:29:50 AM
DO NOT EAT THOSE 'SHOOMS!!! The Pansy blooms, on the other hand, make a nice garnish on a salad...
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Blicj11 on February 20, 2018, 01:15:10 AM
Today we received the biggest snowstorm of the winter: 12 inches. Last summer I installed a propane-fired boiler and radiant heat tubes to heat the concrete pad I poured in front of our garage. Here are two photos of me clearing the non-heated portion of the driveway with my trusty tank-track ATV and snow blower. Almost as much fun as playing with the new WeatherCat 3 beta, but quite noticeably colder.
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: xairbusdriver on February 20, 2018, 02:45:00 AM
Apparently, you are not sucking enough moisture out of he air you're sending our way:
Quote
A slow-moving cold front will interact with deep moisture to produce showers and thunderstorms across the Mid-South this week. Widespread heavy rainfall is expected to develop by Wednesday morning, continuing through the overnight hours. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected in the watch area, with localized higher amounts possible. Very moist soils due to recent rainfall will result in significant run-off. Flooding is likely along many of the rivers and tributaries. In addition, widespread flooding of lowlands and poor drainage urban areas is anticipated. Additional heavy rainfall is expected later in the week.

Runoff from heavy rainfall may result in rapid rises in river, stream, and creek levels. Widespread lowland flooding is possible and poor drainage urban areas may experience street flooding.
At least we sit on the bluff side of the Mighty Muddy, so we won't see the flood waters directly. But it is amazing how many people continue to move into new houses only a few hundred feet from the banks of tributaries that will probably be flooding this week. [banghead] The areas are not technically in the flood plain, but those boundaries are at least 25 years old... [rolleyes2]
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Weatheraardvark on February 20, 2018, 06:01:27 AM
I should be asleep, but making sure things are charged up.  Freezing rain tonight. Not a lot but with the wind behind it , could lose limbs and power.  The city has been out all year trimming back tree branches from the power lines, but all it takes is a feeder going down brrr.

So tomorrow, I have remote start two cars,  venture out with ice melt (calcium chloride mix) and hope not to do a have gainer  and break my ass bone.   Wednesday is to be a nice day... go figure.   Welcome to Iowa [thermo]
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: xairbusdriver on February 21, 2018, 04:24:06 PM
Either they forgot their crayons or the 1.64(so far today) inches of rain is a figment of my imagination...
WPC Fonts/NDFD Weather Type, Wednesday, Feb 21 (http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/92fndfd.gif)
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Weatheraardvark on February 21, 2018, 09:08:43 PM
the last ice storm is melting.  However, another tomorrow night.    Rats
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: xairbusdriver on February 22, 2018, 01:51:50 PM
I liked yesterday's map better.
http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/92fndfd.gif (http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/92fndfd.gif)
3.95 inches in 36 hours. [rolleyes2] [rainyluck]
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Weatheraardvark on February 22, 2018, 01:54:37 PM
arghhhhhhhh
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: xairbusdriver on February 22, 2018, 04:42:36 PM
That's what you Get for living so far north of the Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon line!!! [lol]

Edit: It's so wet here that my keyboard's keys slipped a bit; the "H" slid to where the "G" was... cmu:-)
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Weatheraardvark on February 22, 2018, 09:58:16 PM
That's what you het for living so far north of the Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon line!!! [lol]
   i blame my grandparents .
i asked my dad once about this. he said his parents came from Russia and wanted a climate that reminded them of the old country.  Yeah,  my thought was was something like,
wasn't coming here was for something new?    never got a real answer except "don't youhave some studying to do."
Title: Nifty snow control measures! (Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on February 23, 2018, 11:30:44 PM
Dear Blick, X-Air, Weatheraardvark, and WeatherCat users still stuck in Winter,

Today we received the biggest snowstorm of the winter: 12 inches. Last summer I installed a propane-fired boiler and radiant heat tubes to heat the concrete pad I poured in front of our garage. Here are two photos of me clearing the non-heated portion of the driveway with my trusty tank-track ATV and snow blower. Almost as much fun as playing with the new WeatherCat 3 beta, but quite noticeably colder.

I'm glad you are getting some snow.  We still haven't had a single bucket tip all of February.  Very clever your heated concrete pad!

Sorry about the rest of you getting such nasty weather.  California has been in a nasty cold snap, but still dry as a bone.  At least it never got cold enough at our house to harm plants or damage pipes.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: xairbusdriver on February 25, 2018, 01:48:54 AM
Ugh! My whole 'home' page is now twice as tall with 10 separate Warnings/Watches/Statements. It's Springtime weather in February! :o Even WC is warning of "Torrential Rain"!
Title: Abnormal is the new normal. . . . (Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on February 25, 2018, 11:36:00 PM
Dear X-Air and WeatherCat observers of the weather even when it is extreme,

Ugh! My whole 'home' page is now twice as tall with 10 separate Warnings/Watches/Statements. It's Springtime weather in February! :o Even WC is warning of "Torrential Rain"!

Sorry to hear that you are being hammered.  That is what the National Weather Service had as their weather headline this morning.  Alas, no matter where you are in the world, it does seem that abnormal weather is the new normal.

Oh well, . . . . . Edouard
Title: Another victim of extreme weather (Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on March 13, 2018, 11:18:10 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

Here in California, March has been unusually wet with the return of atmospheric river influenced storms.  This morning I spotted this tree that has fallen over:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-kTT6ZnH/0/4bb354cc/XL/Fallen%20tree%20-%20Moraga%20way%20at%20El%20Camino%20Moraga-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-kTT6ZnH/A)

This tree was in a very crowd area of vegetation basically left in a wild state.  The crowding was certainly part of the stress on this tree.  However, the extremes of this winter undoubtedly also played a role.  Not all wild things can cope with this "new normal."

Such are da' conditions that prevail. . . . . .

Edouard
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: JosBaz on March 17, 2018, 08:18:32 AM
And Winter has not given up yet.... This morning in the Netherlands: -2?C and it is snowing, combined with a strong E-NE wind.
Temperatures may remain below or close to zero for the rest of the day which will be a record for this late in the season. The coldest 17 March ever in the region (so far) was 17 March 1909 with a high of +1.2?C.

Title: WOW! Let us know if record gets broken (Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on March 17, 2018, 09:36:36 PM
Dear Jos and WeatherCat observers of the seasons even when they get stuck in place!

And Winter has not given up yet.... This morning in the Netherlands: -2?C and it is snowing, combined with a strong E-NE wind.
Temperatures may remain below or close to zero for the rest of the day which will be a record for this late in the season. The coldest 17 March ever in the region (so far) was 17 March 1909 with a high of +1.2?C.

WOW!  [freeze]  That is extremely cold for your part of the world.  To let us know if that record ends up falling.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: JosBaz on March 18, 2018, 03:13:25 PM
The Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute ('KNMI') measured a maximum temparature of 0.0?C so the previous 109 year old record was obliterated.  [cold1]

Temperatures will be rising slowly during the week but no real springtime weather is expected anytime soon.

Jos
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Blicj11 on March 19, 2018, 02:27:18 AM
Jos:

I used to live in Maastricht and I know that is extremely cold for your part of the world.
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Blicj11 on March 19, 2018, 02:37:11 AM
We are having a late winter here too. You can see my anemometer on the skyline if you look carefully. By the way, that front-end loader weighs 40,000 pounds (~18,140 kilograms).
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Steve on March 19, 2018, 02:26:34 PM
We are having a late winter here too.

Wow, that's just a dusting compared to last year! We've had our third mild winter in a row. So far, we've had a total of about 10" of snow.
Title: Re: Welcome to Winter 2017-18
Post by: Blicj11 on March 19, 2018, 04:37:49 PM
You are right, Steve, last year at this time, we had received 361 inches of snow, compared to this year's 136 inches. What's worse, halfway through the water year we only have 10 inches cumulative, compared to the 30-year average of 32 inches. Most of the west and the southeast are in drought status. It's kind of scary. My son recently returned from a business trip to Capetown, South Africa, where they are having serious water rationing and appear to be on target for becoming the first major city to run out of water later this year. It's scary.
Title: Fungi's final act! (Re: Winter 2017-18)
Post by: elagache on March 25, 2018, 10:16:21 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

I really thought there wouldn't be any more signs of winter in California at the start of this month, but I'm definitely glad I was wrong.  The season turned very wet and even brought us a genuine "Pineapple Express" rain event.  As a result, a group of mushrooms ended up growing extremely large in a field next to a creek:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-WFLqJFB/0/3bea56a7/XL/Mushrooms%20near%20Moraga%20creek%20-%20front-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-WFLqJFB/A)

The chain-link fence gives a sense of size.  Some of these mushrooms were the size of dinner plates!  Here is one more view:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-tmZJMz9/0/4a511ac7/XL/Mushrooms%20near%20Moraga%20creek%20-%20back-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Winter-2017-18/i-tmZJMz9/A)

The weather is supposed to dry out and warm up to well above normal temperatures for the end of March.  So the fungi are going to vanish in a hurry.  Still, it is quite a display for their "grand finale" of this winter season.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]