Snow and a Plunge

Maybe it is just me but when a holiday falls on a Tuesday it can make for what feels like a long week.  Case in point, it snowed this past weekend.  It felt like it was a week or two ago.  Now that I have some time, here are the results.

In a bit of a twist that saw the morning snow combine with the heavier snow from the coastal low, Berks ended up winning in the snow department in our area.  In fact, the Mount Holly weather service that covers a large region surrounding Philadelphia had no other places report more than Bernville at 6.1 inches.  For the record, that is 21 different counties and about 100 areas reporting.  Macungie, Kutztown and Fleetwood all reported at least five inches as well.  Philadelphia got hosed again.

Now for my few shots I took.  I'd also put my area right around the five inch mark.  Must also commend the two crew maintenance team basically right across the street for a solid job plowing.  Guess it helps to have your own plow for the complex.

Snow totals are updated again.  Still have trouble believing most Reading reports.  If you wonder how Philadelphia got on there it is because they went back and gave two tenths from the small Christmas dusting.  By they way I should also mention that reports are taken at the cities airports as official.  I mention this because the Philly airport is barely within the city and is located in the furthest area south.  The Reading airport isn't even in the city.  It snowed in Philadelphia this weekend, just not at the place that records totals.

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As we welcome a new year it is custom for many to proclaim a resolution to perhaps eat better, exercise more, spend quality family time, read a book or any other activity that will last for a month or two.  Other people jump into very cold bodies of water.  I went with choice number two.

There is nothing quite like the excitement of standing outside on a 36 degree day in your shorts waiting to run into a lake with a bunch of other knuckleheads.  Okay, that might be a lie.  Blue Marsh Lake was the water of choice on New Year's Day.  36 degrees is a guess on the temperature based off the high of the day.  Add in no sun and a nice little breeze and it wasn't 36.  The water temp was probably around 35, again basing this off of other water temperatures.

The crazy crew seconds before the plunge.

Time to freeze.

Let's just say the water was cold.  Not sure why I anticipated warmer.  I would however recommend that if you are feeling a bit tired or sluggish, go take a quick (really quick) dip in a 30 some degree lake.


Pattern looks very quiet for the next two weeks.  No negative NAO to bring storms up the coast and temperatures will moderate enough to make the chance of a system in all likelihood rain.  Only winter storm warnings in the country are along the Texas-Mexico border.  That's usually my sign to relax from the writing for a little.

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Christmas Eve

The brief snow is over.  I was slightly surprised as it was steady enough to stick quickly including on all secondary and main roads.  In the end it unofficially was record by me at about two inches.  Which means for here and many other places it will indeed be a White Christmas.

And some pictures:

All the pictures are somewhat interesting.  The first one taken at the top from my deck also happened to catch my breath which captured the artistic white streak on the top left.  The second one is looking out front with the snow falling, and the third catches the end of the snowfall while looking at the tree coated in the back.

The storm all featured a classic and key component to winter storms.  When it started to snow it was about 36 or 37.  Within an hour in was hovering around 33.  Once that snow starts to moisten the atmosphere the temps can really dip quickly.

Some final notes.  I took a look at the latest run for Wednesday and it pushed the warm air further west which would give us a better chance to see some rain.  If I am home in time tomorrow I can possibly get a post up to include the last model run I will see before the storm comes.

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