For those declaring winter is over...

[donsutherland1]

Here are excerpts from one such situation:

<i>The commencement of winter...had been fairly severe with snow and ice at an early date. But an earlier-than-normal January thaw introduced three weeks of spring-like weather and this extended on into February. It looked as though there would be an early spring. Some even hopefully planted beans and peas. At New London in Connecticut the season was described as "very moderate," and people were "comforting themselves on having gotten through the winter."</i>

Undoubtedly, those prematurely writing off Winter 2003-04 (a process that began as far back as November!) might well have been "comforting themselves" at the time. Some might even have begun the planting.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story...

[Chris the Weather Man]

Don, is that the new article?

[donsutherland1]

Chris,

It isn't. It will be roughly 10 pages long and too long to post. I'll probably put it into a PDF file and give you a link or even e-mail you the file, if you want. But that will be probably around the middle of next week.

[Chris the Weather Man]

Thank You, I have been having problems with my PDF file.... So, if you can give me a link, It would be nice, Thanks..... ( I am Chris L from the WWB)

[donsutherland1]

The rest of the story:

<i>But, as New Englanders have leanred over the years, winter takes a reluctant leave of the region. Early March often brings "the crown of winter storm."</i>

Here are the following journal entries from Judge Samuel Sewall in Boston (dates conform to the modern calendar):

<i>Feb. 27. Is a great storm of Snow and Sleet.
28. Serene.
March 1. Great Storm of Snow; yet good going under foot.
2. Serene. Cold. Snow blows.
3. Another snow coming on.
4. Extraordinary storm of snow.
5. It was terribly surprising to me to see the extraordinary banks of Snow on the side of the way.
6. Serene and pleasant.
7. Violent storm of snow.</i>

The lull in Winter 1716-17 was followed by "The Great Snow" which remains of mythic proportions in New England history. Those who "comforted themselves" on the end of winter, especially those who planted early, were in for a huge suprise when the cold and great snows arrived.

Source: David Ludlum's <i>Early American Winters: 1604-1820</i>, pp.42-43.

[Chris the Weather Man]

1717? Wow, That photo you have on your website, is amazing..... On how much snow fell

[donsutherland1]

Chris,

The link will be in PDF format. If you can't read it via Adobe Reader, I'll try to get you the Microsoft Word version.

[Chris the Weather Man]

Thanks Don.

[donsutherland1]

Chris,

That's a wood engraving. The "Great Snow" was actually a series of four storms (two major) in 9 days. Boston saw a total accumulation of between 36"-42".

[Chris the Weather Man]

38-42"? That would have been a record! If its records go back that far

Good News, My PDF File is now working right.

[donsutherland1]

It beats any of the modern records for that area. Outside of Boston the snowcover reached 4 feet.

[Chris the Weather Man]

My Lord..... 25 feet Drifts!! Snow Depths 60"! Amazing!

[weatherlover427]

Yikes, that's some MAJOR snow! :o

(wait till Jeb sees this thread...)

[Chris the Weather Man]

LoL.... Josh... Jeb will be so happy!

[Anonymous]

Here are excerpts from one such situation:

<i>The commencement of winter...had been fairly severe with snow and ice at an early date. But an earlier-than-normal January thaw introduced three weeks of spring-like weather and this extended on into February. It looked as though there would be an early spring. Some even hopefully planted beans and peas. At New London in Connecticut the season was described as "very moderate," and people were "comforting themselves on having gotten through the winter."</i>

Undoubtedly, those prematurely writing off Winter 2003-04 (a process that began as far back as November!) might well have been "comforting themselves" at the time. Some might even have begun the planting.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story...

1) I am not declaring winter over.
2) That story is set in CONNECTICUT, not VIRGINIA.
3) It is a stark reality that pac storms are preventing phasing this winter.
4) Climo in VA does allow for major snows in N VA in Feb and early March but I refuse to get my hopes up.

That said, I am not declaring winter over, but I do begin to have serious doubts that we will see a phasing storm with snow for the Central MA this winter..........just look at THIS winter's track record so far. This is now FEB 7, not merely late December.

I do think N VA might see a 3 or 4 inch overrunning event this season but any real winter storms will be relegated to SNE and NE. This is not a major snow winter south of Maryland.

Monday N VA will be in the 50s with lows in the upper 30s. The lack of snowpack by then will help the warming along greatly.

The melting of our snow has brought me agonizing pain and will continue to do so.


-Jeb

[Anonymous]

However I am very, very glad to see this thread folks!!!



-Jeb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[donsutherland1]

Jeb,

You were not the latest person to declare winter finished. Someone else made the proclamation.

Here are some tidbits for the Mid-Atlantic crowd:

March 26, 1891: 12" Washington, DC

March 29-30, 1942: 12" Washington, DC

April 9, 1884: 8" Baltimore

April 11-12, 1841: 10"-12" Philadelphia

[Anonymous]

4) Climo in VA does allow for major snows in N VA in Feb and early March

I disagree... remember March 9, 1999? That was an 8-12" storm for the DC metro area. March 2001 could've been huge as well had everything fallen into place. And it goes without saying that March 1993 was a major snowstorm for the area.

[FLguy]

4) Climo in VA does allow for major snows in N VA in Feb and early March

I disagree... remember March 9, 1999? That was an 8-12" storm for the DC metro area. March 2001 could've been huge as well had everything fallen into place. And it goes without saying that March 1993 was a major snowstorm for the area.

actually i disagree with the both of you. it all depends on the complexity of the pattern.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to apologize to all for my poor attitude. Sorry. Just give me about 6 weeks, I'll be so obsessed with the beach and that 77/64 T/D spread that you'll all be telling me to stop LOL

-Jeb