More of our current patter, Sunny and Cold,
BUT a storm is rolling in Sunday night with the potential for 4-6"!
Enjoy the peace and calm outside RIGHT NOW!
9:00 a.m. Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters:
Temperature is 19.8 degrees F and rising (was 8 degrees when we got up);
Pressure is 45% and steady;
Humidity is 30.53" and rising;
Blue Skies;
Wind is moving and peaked at 1 mph in the observation period;
The Cascades are buried;
The Cascades Brook has some open patches;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE!
National Weather Service Forecast:
Sunny, with a high near 25. West wind 5 to 7 mph.
But more interestingly:
Winter Storm Watch in effect from March 1, 04:00 PM EST until March 2, 06:00 AM EST
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
Sunny & Cold (One of a Series!)
Well, we seem to be in a pattern of cold and sunny, for the most part.
It was enjoyable to see flakes falling yesterday, though nothing came of the passing snow.
This morning the T&G has a fun article on fishers!
http://www.telegram.com/article/20150226/NEWS/302269512/1116This is enjoyable in that a number of the Trust's properties are know to have these large weasels. It is nice to be able to highlight the species without all of the wild tales of wickedness.
7:30 a.m. trailhead conditions at Cascading Waters:
Temperature is 10.4 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 51% and steady;
Pressure is 30.06" and rising;
There is movement of wind in the air, but no mph recorded during the observation period;
The sky is blue and the sun is out;
The Cascades remain buried in the snow;
The Cascades Brook has a few open patches here and there;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE.
Many of the trails have been snowshoed and are passable, and most of the trailheads have seen some activity and have parking. This weekend presents an opportunity to see and experience long term snowpack in a way that we rarely see here in central Massachusetts.
National Weather Service Forecast:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.
Wind chill values as low as zero.
Northwest wind around 7 mph.
It was enjoyable to see flakes falling yesterday, though nothing came of the passing snow.
This morning the T&G has a fun article on fishers!
http://www.telegram.com/article/20150226/NEWS/302269512/1116This is enjoyable in that a number of the Trust's properties are know to have these large weasels. It is nice to be able to highlight the species without all of the wild tales of wickedness.
7:30 a.m. trailhead conditions at Cascading Waters:
Temperature is 10.4 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 51% and steady;
Pressure is 30.06" and rising;
There is movement of wind in the air, but no mph recorded during the observation period;
The sky is blue and the sun is out;
The Cascades remain buried in the snow;
The Cascades Brook has a few open patches here and there;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE.
Many of the trails have been snowshoed and are passable, and most of the trailheads have seen some activity and have parking. This weekend presents an opportunity to see and experience long term snowpack in a way that we rarely see here in central Massachusetts.
National Weather Service Forecast:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.
Wind chill values as low as zero.
Northwest wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Sunny and Cold, But Not As Cold!
Well, things are looking up!
We are starting the day in positive degrees!
And with the sun out, things are bound to warm up a little.
The only catch will be the predicted winds, and the wind chills.
Last night at the Worcester City Council, the City Council unanimously approved the funds transfer for the Donker Farm Project!
We are another important step closer to seeing this conserved!
Yesterday we observed 4 deer out on frozen Cook's Pond headed for the main island, and it looks like they were browsing on buds and bark.
7:30 a.m. Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters:
Temperature of 14.5 degrees F and rising;
Humidity of 65% and steady;
Pressure of 29.50" and falling;
Wind is moving with an average of 1-1.5 mph and a peak of 2.5 mph in the observation period;
The Cascades are covered;
The Cascades Brook is mostly covered with patches breaking through;
Sunny blue skies;
USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE.
National Weather Service Forecast for Today:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. West wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
We are starting the day in positive degrees!
And with the sun out, things are bound to warm up a little.
The only catch will be the predicted winds, and the wind chills.
Last night at the Worcester City Council, the City Council unanimously approved the funds transfer for the Donker Farm Project!
We are another important step closer to seeing this conserved!
Yesterday we observed 4 deer out on frozen Cook's Pond headed for the main island, and it looks like they were browsing on buds and bark.
7:30 a.m. Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters:
Temperature of 14.5 degrees F and rising;
Humidity of 65% and steady;
Pressure of 29.50" and falling;
Wind is moving with an average of 1-1.5 mph and a peak of 2.5 mph in the observation period;
The Cascades are covered;
The Cascades Brook is mostly covered with patches breaking through;
Sunny blue skies;
USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE.
National Weather Service Forecast for Today:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. West wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Settling in to Our Arctic Reality...
Well, it is still mighty cold, and it appears it will be so for some time yet. Nevertheless, the world keeps turning, and stuff gets done!
Our mighty Volunteer Conservation Ranger for KinneyWoods, Ranger Tim, had been laid low by a ridiculously rare skiing accident way back at the beginning of this winter. Ranger Tim, however, is the embodiment of an irrepressible soul! Through some amazing ingenuity and a will like an ox, he has managed to snowblow an access point and trailhead path for KinneyWoods, from a wheelchair!
Photos are in order!
Also, last night at dusk, there were ten to twelve deer out on frozen Cook's Pond! To see so many together in such a visible spot at once was a rare treat!
7:30 a.m. trailhead conditions at Cascading Waters:
Temperature is -3.8°F and rising (it was -8.1° at 6:30!);
Humidity is 37% and steady;
Pressure is 30.00" and steady;
Skies are sunny with high altitude clouds;
Winds are stirring, and peaked at 1.5 mph during the observation period;
The Cascades are still buried;
The Cascades Brook has open patches; &
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE!
Humidity is 37% and steady;
Pressure is 30.00" and steady;
Skies are sunny with high altitude clouds;
Winds are stirring, and peaked at 1.5 mph during the observation period;
The Cascades are still buried;
The Cascades Brook has open patches; &
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE!
If you are headed out please bundle up and cover exposed skin.
ALSO, a joint City, State, Donker Family, GWLT project is in today's paper!
Monday, February 23, 2015
More Arctic Tundra!
That's right folks! MORE Arctic Tundra!
7:30 a.m. Cascades Trailhead conditions:
Temperature is 19.9 degrees F and falling (and visibly falling in the last hour by several degrees);
Humidity is 48% and steady;
Pressure is 29.94" of Hg and steady;
The Cascades Brook appreciated the melting yesterday and there are a few open patches of water out there;
The Cascades themselves are still more or less buried;
The wind is persistent and we saw a 5.0 mph peak in the observation period;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE!
The seasonal snow total is now 108.5"!!!
And best of all, because the temperature profile was colder, we never transitioned to rain.
So... We get to keep ALL of our snowpack!
FORECAST from the National Weather Service for today:
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 15.
(Here is the "killer" part...)
Wind chill values as low as -8. Northwest wind 14 to 16 mph.
(Though it is more sheltered down here by the Lodge and we tend not to see those wind peaks.)
7:30 a.m. Cascades Trailhead conditions:
Temperature is 19.9 degrees F and falling (and visibly falling in the last hour by several degrees);
Humidity is 48% and steady;
Pressure is 29.94" of Hg and steady;
The Cascades Brook appreciated the melting yesterday and there are a few open patches of water out there;
The Cascades themselves are still more or less buried;
The wind is persistent and we saw a 5.0 mph peak in the observation period;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE!
The seasonal snow total is now 108.5"!!!
And best of all, because the temperature profile was colder, we never transitioned to rain.
So... We get to keep ALL of our snowpack!
FORECAST from the National Weather Service for today:
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 15.
(Here is the "killer" part...)
Wind chill values as low as -8. Northwest wind 14 to 16 mph.
(Though it is more sheltered down here by the Lodge and we tend not to see those wind peaks.)
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Cold, and a Storm Coming!
There is another storm inbound, due to hit this afternoon! Before it is over we may have 4-7" of snow, topped by who knows what mix of ice, rain, freezing rain, or more snow. Everything comes down to temperature profiles.
This is the time to get out there and make the most of the snows and weather move in.
Remember that...
The Cascades trailhead on Olean Street is open with parking;
The Sibley Farm trailhead on Greenville Street in Spencer is open with parking; and
The KinneyWoods trailhead on Dawson Road in Worcester is open with parking.
Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 9:00a.m.:
Temperature of 14.2°F and rising;
Humidity of 46% and steady;
Pressures of 30.24" of Hg and steady;
Variable windspeed with a 2.5 mph max;
Bright overcast skies;
Cascades are buried in snow;
Cascades Brook is buried in snow;
USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE.
NWS Daytime Forecast:
Snow, mainly after 3pm. High near 26. Wind chill values as low as zero. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday, February 20, 2015
WINDY, Sunny, COLD
8:35 a.m. Trailhead Conditions:
Temperature is 4.1 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 46% and steady;
Pressure is 29.68" of Hg and rising;
The wind speed is hovering around 3.0-3.5 mph with gusts as high as 10.5 mph in the sample period;
The Cascades are buried in snow;
The Cascades Brook is buried in snow;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE, quite obviously!
It is worth noting that our location at the Tatnuck Valley floor is sheltered from the wind and you should expect higher winds in the Cascades, and especially up on Cascades West and if you are elsewhere on the Asnebumskit Ridge Trail or East Side Trail between Bell Pond and the Quarry!
Today's weather prediction from the NWS is:
Sunny, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -16. West wind 14-16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Temperature is 4.1 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 46% and steady;
Pressure is 29.68" of Hg and rising;
The wind speed is hovering around 3.0-3.5 mph with gusts as high as 10.5 mph in the sample period;
The Cascades are buried in snow;
The Cascades Brook is buried in snow;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE, quite obviously!
It is worth noting that our location at the Tatnuck Valley floor is sheltered from the wind and you should expect higher winds in the Cascades, and especially up on Cascades West and if you are elsewhere on the Asnebumskit Ridge Trail or East Side Trail between Bell Pond and the Quarry!
Today's weather prediction from the NWS is:
Sunny, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -16. West wind 14-16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Sunny Start with a Chance of Snow
A sunny start, but an inch of snow is predicted to fall this afternoon!
9:20 a.m. trailhead conditions:
Temperature is 26.1°F and rising;
Humidity is 58% and falling;
Pressure is 29.41" Hg and steady;
The Cascades are buried in snow;
The Cascades brook is also buried;
Wind is stirring, but 1mph is all we are peaking at;
USFS Fire Danger Class is NONE, of course.
Today's National Weather Service Forecast:
A chance of snow showers, mainly between noon and 2pm.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as -3. West wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
A Quiet Day
A Quiet Day weatherwise here at the trailhead at Cascading Waters.
9:00 a.m. Trailhead Conditions:
13.3 degrees F and rising;
36% humidity and steady;
29.74" of Hg pressure and steady;
No wind registered on the anemometer, though there is movement;
The sky is overcast;
The Cascades Brooks and falls are both buried;
The USFS Fire Danger is, quite obviously, NONE at all!
The Parking Area is open!
There has been a little activity out on the trail.
The snowshoeing is spectacular!
9:00 a.m. Trailhead Conditions:
13.3 degrees F and rising;
36% humidity and steady;
29.74" of Hg pressure and steady;
No wind registered on the anemometer, though there is movement;
The sky is overcast;
The Cascades Brooks and falls are both buried;
The USFS Fire Danger is, quite obviously, NONE at all!
The Parking Area is open!
There has been a little activity out on the trail.
The snowshoeing is spectacular!
Monday, February 16, 2015
Frigid
Welcome to the tundra!
At 9:20 am, it is 5.5 degrees and rising.
We have a constant wind, maxing out here at 8.5 MPH. Together, that means we're getting windchill in the double digits below zero.
45% humidity and steady
The barometer is 29.74 inches of mercury and rising under clear blue skies.
It's bright and sunny!
The brook and the Cascades are not visible.
And yes, there is NO fire danger!
Stay warm!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Another Blizzard Winds Down...
As Another Blizzard Winds Down...
The sun has come out &
The Visitor Parking Area is OPEN!
The snows are deep!
It is all powder!
This is the Snowshoeing Heaven you will tell your grand-kids about!
Make sure you have a tight hood or balaclava to protect your face from the wind if you head out there!
The sun has come out &
The Visitor Parking Area is OPEN!
The snows are deep!
It is all powder!
This is the Snowshoeing Heaven you will tell your grand-kids about!
Make sure you have a tight hood or balaclava to protect your face from the wind if you head out there!
Monday, February 09, 2015
We're neck and neck with Buffalo and Erie!
In the annual "Snowglobe" race, Worcester, as of last night's update, is now neck-and-neck with Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA in the race for snowiest city (above 100,000):
We got about three inches overnight here and it started snowing again at about 7 am. To give some perspective, here is the Lodge sign this morning:
We all keep talking about the snow, but don't underestimate the cold: at 8 am here it is 11 degrees and steady, and there's a fairly constant 1-5 MPH wind.
The humidity is 69 percent and steady.
The barometer is 29.91 inches of mercury and steady.
Hikers note: it may take us a bit longer to get the parking area open after this one, as we are down a snowblower operator.
Wednesday, February 04, 2015
It is Snowing Again!
Well, it is snowing again!
Trailhead Conditions at 11:00 a.m.:
Temperature is 28.8 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 54% and steady;
Pressure is 30.00" Hg and steady;
The wind is moving and peaked at 1.5 mph during the observation;
It is snowing outside, and it is overcast;
There may be a Cascade and Brook, but I haven't seen them lately, only snow;
One visitor parking space is open at the trailhead and another will be cleared momentarily.
Get out there folks!
It is rare to have this much powder in New England!
Enjoy it!
And, yes, the property sign is slowly sinking out of view in the snowbank!
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Buried: Deep and Fluffy!
Well, yesterday's little snow storm was basically endless during the daylight hours, with there being hardly any break in the falling snows from start to end. Since it never warmed up to melt the last storm, it is pretty deep snow! Because it was so cold yesterday it is light and powdery snow, on top of earlier light and powdery snow.
We here at the Lodge more or less got cut off from the rest of the world and that was just fine by us with a fire in the fireplace and having stocked up on supplies and firewood from the previous storm. Today we dig out!
The trailhead conditions as of 9:00 a.m.:
Temperature is 6.4 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 65% and steady;
Pressure is 29.91" of Hg and rising;
There is sun and high altitude clouds;
Right now the Cascades and the brook are covered in snow;
It is not clear that anyone has been through here at the trailhead yet;
The parking area is not yet excavated, but that is coming up this morning!;
There is a low steady breeze that peaked at 1.5 mph in the observation;
There is, unsurprisingly NO FIRE DANGER, unless you are in a house, and then that isn't nature's fault!.
This is purely fantabulous snowshoeing weather!
If you own a pair, can borrow a pair, or are crafty to fashion a pair, Do It!
We here at the Lodge more or less got cut off from the rest of the world and that was just fine by us with a fire in the fireplace and having stocked up on supplies and firewood from the previous storm. Today we dig out!
The trailhead conditions as of 9:00 a.m.:
Temperature is 6.4 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 65% and steady;
Pressure is 29.91" of Hg and rising;
There is sun and high altitude clouds;
Right now the Cascades and the brook are covered in snow;
It is not clear that anyone has been through here at the trailhead yet;
The parking area is not yet excavated, but that is coming up this morning!;
There is a low steady breeze that peaked at 1.5 mph in the observation;
There is, unsurprisingly NO FIRE DANGER, unless you are in a house, and then that isn't nature's fault!.
This is purely fantabulous snowshoeing weather!
If you own a pair, can borrow a pair, or are crafty to fashion a pair, Do It!
Sunday, February 01, 2015
0 degrees here at the Lodge
Just shy of 7am and it is 0 degrees here at the Lodge.
That is a chilly start.
A big snow storm is moving in for tonight into tomorrow, so look for fresh snow cover!
Today is a good day to hike on trails that are just broken in before the new accumulations!
That is a chilly start.
A big snow storm is moving in for tonight into tomorrow, so look for fresh snow cover!
Today is a good day to hike on trails that are just broken in before the new accumulations!
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