Still rising

We've raised the fire danger sign again this morning to VERY HIGH. This is very,  very unusual for central Massachusetts, let alone for March.
At 8:45, it is 59 degrees and rising. 87% humidity and steady.
The barometer is at 29.41 inches of mercury and steady.

I should also note that we are lucky enough to have some excellent sign work going on this week, thanks to intern Jacob!

Volunteer Thursday!

Every other Thursday morning this summer, we're doing sign work with volunteers here at the Lodge. If you can wield a paintbrush, an adz, a hand saw, we'll find something for you to do. Work goes on here until 11:30 today.
(to the accompanyment of the woodchipper next door...'though I am freshly assured that this will end by noon today!)

At 9:30 it is 71.1 degrees and rising...quite pleasant.
42% humidity and falling
29.18 inches of mercury and steady
We have 1 mph of wind
The streambed is just a trickle (and likely to stay that way, unless the isolated showers for tonight pan out).
Fire danger is LOW ('though it's MODERATE just to our west).

Cooler?

While the forecast for today was not for any cooler weather, it is cooler than it has been here in the trees. At 11:30, we're just hitting 81.1 degrees and rising.
42% humidity and falling (which is merciful for us, not so good for the fire danger level)
29.41 inches of mercury and steady
No rain
The Cascades are dry (mostly).
Fire danger (as will be no surprise to you following the fire on the other side of the Worcester reservoirs) is MODERATE

Hot and dry

We just at 9 am hit the "hotter outside than in" point and closed all the windows for the day.
At 9:15, it is 83.7 degrees and rising.
42% humidity and steady (mercifully dry)
29.35 inches of mercury and steady
We've had no rain for eight days.
The stream is down to a trickle, mostly under the rocks.
We have 0 mph of wind, 'though there is enough to stir the leaves on the trees.

Fire on the hill

Worry not; it's been taken care of!
This morning started off with some hikers coming to the Lodge to report a smoldering fire on the edge of the Newton Trail (on the way up the hill), accompanied by two cases worth of beer bottles. Fire rake in hand, Colin headed up to deal with it, and he raked it out. We're also now $1.50 the richer in bottle refunds! Seems somebody had a party last night and was more than careless upon leaving .
Thanks, Katy and Iris!
If any of you up on Cataract see cars by the Newton Trailhead, 'though, call it in. Looks like we might have a new party spot, with people who are clueless about fire danger.

At 9 am, it is 69 degrees and rising
41% humidity and steady
30.03 inches of mercury and steady
The brook is down to 3.6 inches
We had some technical difficulties earlier; thus the late posting.

Red flag still up

The red flag warning (see below) is still posted. The only hope of escaping that is for the rain that is forecasted for this evening to amount to something.

At 9 am, it is 58.3 degrees and rising
38% humidity and steady
30.36 inches of mercury
Stream stands at 4.4 inches

We really could use some help tonight with the tent platform if you're free!

And now for the less dramatic part of our report

At 9 am , it is 53.2 degrees and rising; it may top 70 today!
38% humidity and falling (and there, plus wind, is the fire danger)
Barometer is at 30.15 inches and steady
Stream is at 4.6 inches
Fire danger, you can read about below.

BEAUTIFUL DAY! Just leave your flames at home!

Sunny and back to chilly

The wind and sun are baking the moisture right out of the forest; you can watch the humidity fall. Fire danger right now is HIGH, and with no rain forecasted, expect that to get higher.

At 9 am:
Humidity is 42% and falling (to 35% by noon)
Temperature is 26 degrees and steady
The stream is running with 4.4 inches of water.
Barometer stands at 30.18 inches--the nearest clouds are over Ohio.