This weather...

[LongIslandPiney]

I have to say this one of the warmest winters I can ever remember. Except for early December, it has been mild, cloudy, and wet, with the jet stream keeping all the cold air in Canada. I know I'm probably in the minority here but I don't like this weather. I look forward to clear, cold days when it comes to hiking in the pine barrens, esp with some snow on the ground. Winter and the cold weather also keeps the bugs (esp those annoying biting pine flies) and the ticks away. But I've rarely had any decent days to go in the woods. Temperatures here are in the upper 40s and 50s almost every day this month. Bugs are out and the trails are muddy. I guess I'm gonna have to be patient, and according to long range forecasts, perhaps wait till next November or december for winter. I'm calling this the "year without a winter".
I'm sure it's even warmer in southern NJ than here on Long Island, you may see 70 Thursday or Friday. I sure would've liked to go on a crisp hike through snow covered piney woods, but as time goes on I doubt thats gonna happen this year. That jet stream needs to be whipped back into shape!

 

[Windsor]

I wouldn't count all hope out yet. I'm still hoping for at least one blizzard this year. Typically, that seems to be late January or February around here. Can't wait to see a snow covered pines soon...

 

[uuglypher]

I have to say this one of the warmest winters I can ever remember. Except for early December, it has been mild, cloudy, and wet, with the jet stream keeping all the cold air in Canada. I know I'm probably in the minority here but I don't like this weather.

I'm with you, NJP !
Winter has always been the season I most long for, the one whose waning I find depressing, the one in which I have always felt most alive!

Back in the late 60s and thru the 70's when I was doing field research up here the South Dakota winters were wonderful. But since we moved here in 2000 only the 2000-2001 winter has been at all like those of old. All the rest have open and free of snow - O.K. we've had some snow cover for about a month this winter but only by dint of some piddling flurries that cover up the brown patches after the many afternoons above freezing. Basically another sad excuse for winter.

I agree! Damned Jet Stream better get back to work!

Dave

 

[Bobbleton]

Hey don't forget this happened last winter too. Look:

This (terribly flattering) picture was taken January 3rd, 2005. It was 65 degrees
in a stretch of warm days significant enough to bring out the amphibians. That green frog was out of hibernation and active when i caught it two days after new years.

Also if you remember last year got nice and snowy after that. It'll come. Just not until february and march when we're all sick of it being cold and are jonesing for spring.

-Bob

 

[Boyd]

OK, I have a confession to make.... this warm weather is completely my fault. I bought an expensive new snowblower in December and I just knew this was gonna happen

But seriously, since I've had time off recently I don't mind a bit. I've been out every day hiking around the pines and it's been great. Was in the Forked River Mountain area on Tuesday and it was spectacular.

I'm sure we'll get some winter still, we always do. But in the meantime, I ain't complaining....

 

[RMICKLE]

OK, I have a confession to make.... this warm weather is completely my fault. I bought an expensive new snowblower in December and I just knew this was gonna happen

I think I’ve made it even warmer by buying a snow blower this week. This year there’s a good selection because everybody’s in the pines.

 

[Piney Boy]

I think most outdoorsy people enjoy a bit of cold weather. I love winter backpacking in cold weather;the crunch of snow, the exhalation of frozen breadth, the appreciation of a roaring fire, it all makes me feel so alive. I went out to Rickets Glen in PA the 1st week of December and it was cooooold, temps were around 20 in the day and single digits at night.
Lately, I've been mistaking South Jersey for the U.K., all that I need to happen next is to come home and find fish and chips on the dinner table. I do hope we get some cold weather by next weekend though, I have a weekend bp trip in the Pines lined up and it sure would be great to blast some cold weather miles out.

 

[Ben Ruset]

I am happy with the warmer weather. I may be the odd person here but I prefer to not be cold when I am out exploring.

The best exploring temperatures (IMHO) are from 50-70 deg.

 

[Teegate]

Even though the cold weather is best for what I mostly do in the pines, I have to agree with Boyd and Ben.

Guy

 

[LongIslandPiney]

Looks like S.Jersey is getting hammering with THUNDERSTORMS tonight. It just keeps getting weirder, t-storms in January, nuts! The good news is this storm will be bringing a chill-down to the 30s for Sun & Mon, and if we're lucky, a few inches of snow!

 

[Krloucks]

Weather

So... as warm as it was, I planned a trip to look for amphibians on MLK day and of course....3 inches of snow and 23 degrees. Well, my son and I went for a ride anyway and went geocaching on the frozen tundra.

This after near record highs... no wonder I can't get rid of my cold.

Makepeace WMR, no turltes or any other critters under the ice though...

Still, a day in the Pines is still better than a day at work...