Fall 2016 Predictions and Results

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Cheryl Hanson

Fall 2016, being extremely mild and pleasant, in the midwest this period has turned out to be one of the warmest regions, until the week of Thanksgiving, on November 24th, when the region saw 1 to 2 inches of snow on thanksgiving eve.  The snow didn’t stay, with 40 to 50 degree temperatures banking around sunday to monday, during the last week of November, 2016.  Amazing warmth, in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, on November 28th, with highs in the 50s.   This trend was ended promptly with cooler temperatures on the day of December 1st, and it will be chased away, with cold temperatures until Christimas Day.

Polar Ice and Fall 2016 Warmth

Fall 2016

Thanks to the Updraft Blog

The polar ice in the northern region of the pole, did not thicken as usual this fall, and in fact, is the smallest circumference ever recorded.  Due to the global ocean warmth, record high temperatures around the northern pole, and the La Nina effect in the southern pacific ocean, the cataclysm of these three warm events has created another event, very little polar ice around the southern pole as well.  Huge normally frozen areas, larger than most land masses in the northern region have melted.  The warm temperatures are proving to  be quite alarming, so having a cold spell exist and stay put in the midwest is a good thing.

Fall 2016 2nd warmest for Minnesota, Warmest for 5 state region

Normal highs in Minnesota in November are around freezing, 32 degrees.  Recorded highs ranged from 65 to 22 degrees, marking a fall that did not seem to follow normal patterns of La Nina.  This information could mean, that the La Lina kept the region cooler than an El Nino Year, or even a regular sea temperature year…this could be a good indication of how much these events change temperatures vs. precipitation.

Fall 2016 Soil Temperature

In the midwest, the soil temperature did not hit freezing until December 5th, and was averaging around 38 to 40 degrees until December 1st.  The soil thoroughly froze to a depth of 5 inches on December 8th, with the average high air temperature of 20 degrees.  The advance of a strong low across the region has ushered in the winter weather, which will stick around now until the end of December.  Most often, once the soil has frozen to the 5-6 inch depth, the cooler average temperature is more common;  a soil temperature is often a good indicator of snow vs. rain in a 3 day model forecast.

With the advance of the next system out of the northwest, the midwest will see 6 inches of snow over the next 48 hours, with most of that, sticking around until another front shows itself around December 18th.  The chance of a white christmas are very good for the midwest, and most of the country in 2016.

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El Nino Winter 2015 Predictions

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Cheryl Hanson

By all accounts, El Nino Winter 2015 is predicted to be warm and dry for northern plains, and cool and wet for areas of the south and southeast.  This trend is similar to the winters of 1997-1998 and even earlier of 1975-1976.  With the advent of meteorology and charting of oceanic temperatures, we have recently realized the significance of El Nino, and La Nina in predicting out the future of our weather.  There is no other long range predictor that is better suited than oceanic temperatures.

The Future of Weather

dreamstime_l_21304724With weather becoming something of a political and naturalistic hot topic, there can be no doubt, oceanic temperatures will impact how we plan our capital markets, our food production, and our cultural decisions in the future.  There could be a process in the future, where much like the stock market crop reports, we use oceanic temperatures to forecast our bearing into production for life events.  It is already happening, with many people considering ocean beach side properties a risky adventure.  Soon, the mountain horizon could be a better indicator of safety, vs ocean joy.  But how do we navigate through the many opinions of the population who still see the future of weather nothing to predict or consider?

Scientific Research Always on The Edge

From the days of Copernicus, to Galileo, to Einstein, we have always had the mass critically expunge the notion of new ideas.  Especially in science, as it fights with our human belief pattern.  We know in our hearts however, when things are seen only from this vantage.  It must be both, as there is a basic magic in science, where we still do not know all, and can’t predict all in scientific manners.

Be advised however, there are tenuous basic strategies a foot; too many people are only being led by the heart, and will be led to a very dangerous place if they do not trust the scientists.  The data is elaborate, and there is much science to show that the earth’s climate is emerging into a warmer pattern.  With the warm waters over the Pacific, we will need to start to think about our children, and the future of society other than a stubborn strain of thought.  No need to be selfish here, there are ways to improve life, and make things work better.

Energy Conservation is the Answer

Too much is made of the solutions, and how they are hard.  Truly they are not hard, but even in fairness and profit; much can be done to improve life in the near days ahead.  Why not function as profitable fair circles in economy, and not build too much into the why or how this could impact futures and banking economies?  There is much that should be done with each of our homes and businesses to configure efficiency, and provide cool and warmth with simple insulation.  Build better buildings, and keep them simple in mechanics, to weather any storm.  It is a real choice of action that could impact generations ahead.

Nicholas Tesla was an innovator, and inventor who often built much that was pushed aside from the value of the economy, as he was so far ahead from all the leaders of the time; his was a mind of brilliance, when we look to him today.  Edison was seen as the most powerful and effective leader of the time, but mostly, we know him today to be nothing more than a middle manager, who stole Intellectual Property, and created a powerhouse of scientific innovation through theft.  He was someone who led is our industrial revolution forward, but also someone who created the unions, the weekend, and the current system of employer and employee relations by his bad practice.  No need to explain further, but it does prove that sometimes, the heart of culture will not allow innovation to flower, unless we push aside our regrets.

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Summer 2015 Dry West Mild Elsewhere

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Cheryl Hanson

The summer of 2015 is showing signs of being a hot and wet season for the western parts of the United States, and the midwest should be normal in temperatures, with frequent rain.  The pattern is being setup by an el Nino in the pacific. This pattern is not a regular occurrence, but recently, the US has been seeing this trend more frequently.  The winter of 1997 was a El Nino season,  as well as the season of 2002, 2005, and 2009.  After such an event, the temperature in the middle of the US is often warmer and dryer in the coming 9 months that it takes for the El Nino to slow and depart.

dreamstime_l_1037450

Corn Growing in Drought Fields

With an ongoing pattern of hot and cool water in the pacific, we should be expecting rain in the dry parts of the western US, and normal temperatures in the mid west.  Frequent rain, with cloud cover, should keep the midwest cool, and benefit the eastern parts of the United States with very pleasant conditions.  Unfortunately, parts of the west, including all the way up to the Canadian border will see high humidity, high temperatures, and frequent squalls that are pushed along a low jet stream.  This could intensify into the pan handle of the United States, with troubling thunderstorm activity and tornadoes.

Hail, high winds and Sunny Skies

With the volatile jet stream and the el Nino presenting itself in the Pacific, we are in for the late season thunderstorms, and cloud to cloud thunderstorms.  There are many reasons to ensure that you have battery backup, and a backup of surge protection in your home.  The lighting in the midwest this summer has been consistent with the humidity experienced, all at dew points of 65 or more.  Looking forward to end of summer, beginning of fall, we should continue to see this wet and humid pattern, with the coolness continuing.  So far, there have been only 2 days close to 90 degrees in Minneapolis, which usually experiences a brief but standard period of 90 degree weather.  The cool summer has been unusual, but is definitely consistent with the el Nino pattern.

Cool fronts next to warm fronts have yielded multiple hail events,  which have created some damage throughout the midwest.  The dates of storms are June 20, June 27, June 28th, July 6th, July 12-13th, July 16, July 18, July 24, July 28, and August 4th.  The rain has been enough to keep most watering activities low, and tree damage experienced was on the heavier storms of July 6th, and July 12-13th.  With these frequent storms, humidity was high before the storms, and quieter afterwards.  The resulting bee activity in the area was higher than normal, as well as spiders, ants of all shapes and sizes, and many flying insects.  Pest were seen at higher incidents after rain events.

Continuation of High and Low Pressure

A spike of high temperatures occurred in the areas of the west coast early in the summer, with this slip of higher temperatures moving to the southwest, southern plain, into the middle parts of the Midwest, and the eastern parts of the Florida and Georgia panhandle.  Typical high and low pressure centers created variety of hail, tornadoes, and straight line winds upwards of 50-65 mph, in these areas.

Easing into the end of the summer, this pattern is expected to migrate to the east coast, with the west picking up some winds, which will fuel some very dangerous fire conditions. So far, the warmest weather has been seen at the beginning of fall or autumn, vs in the height of summer.  This will not continue into winter, however, the El Nino we are seeing, will effectively block our ability to see a cold winter in northern plains.

 

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Spring Yields Warmer Drier Weather

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Cheryl Hanson

The weather is changing from a ever moving and quick jet stream, to a long term two month stationary front that promises a warmer drier spring for most of the nation.  When we look at past recent trends, the last 360 months have been warmer, and with more of a pattern on longevity.  We have created a role in our world that keeps us global and mobile.  At this time in human history, our weather is truly evolving into a stationary pattern of two month weather, that sticks and stays, warmer and drier, for the most part.

Warmer and Drier Becomes the Status Quo

Weather Forecast May July 2015Keeping with the pattern review, the most recent year has created a two month static flow, with constant weather for 8 weeks, over the last year.  From 2013-2015, the winter of 2014 was cold and wet, from Dec-Jan, and then Wet and Warmer, from Feb to March 2014, with a drier and colder April/May 2014, wet and cold May/June 2014, Hot and Dry August/September 2014, Colder and Dry Oct/November 2014, with Warmer and Drier Dec/Jan 2014/2015, and then a mix of a change.  The beginning of January 2015 was unseasonably Warmer and Drier for most of the country.  January 19, 2015 was above freezing for most of the midwest, and was a day of a mark for warmer and drier to change to Colder and Drier.  This resulted in 7 weeks of below freeze temperatures, even for high temperatures.  Except for the Upper East Coast, the country was cold, but dry.  The Week of March 9, 2015, saw a change to Warmer and Drier, with a swing of the jet stream for only two days on March 18 & 19th.  The period should stay warmer and drier to the second week of May, with a new transition, based on current trends, to match a dry and warm period of time.

Warmer and Drier should Stay the Norm

With the advent of this lack in the swing of the jet stream, winds are light, and often a pattern of intense afternoon sun.  Morning is often cloudy, with breaks in the clouds, but no precipitation.  The constant of the weather has been dreary, but it has resulted in record breaking snow, and heat in parts of the coasts.  The main thing that has changed over the last couple of months, is the relative warmer and drier pattern. With the lack of the change to the jet stream, the storms do not produce themselves, and precipitation is minimal.  The country is going to see more of this pattern, with many people expecting cooler patterns in the south and east, and warmer and hotter out west, in the mid west, and near the Florida Panhandle.

 

Warmer and Drier will move to the Northeast In Summer

With current trends in thought, there should be many steps towards a warmer and drier weather pattern for the northeast part of the US.  With this change, there could be a continuation of the same for the mid west, or a very rainy period in the August to September months.  We will have to see how warmer and drier vs. colder and rainy in fact comes to our weather patterns in the days ahead.

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Snow on the Northeast, Warmer Winter in Midwest January 2015

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Cheryl Hanson

Not like the winter of 2013-2014, the warmer winter of 2014-2015 has created lots of snow and precipitation along the northeastern coast.  There are so many reasons for us to envision that the season is going to be bad for the northeast, with El Nino and all predicted and occurring, but mostly the mass of Noreaster Low Pressure Centers. When you are watching the weather, any time a high or low pressure center builds east of the Rocky Mountains, you should look to see if another is building or forming in the Atlantic.  This is the noreaster train of pain, that builds in the midwest, and needs the momentum of low pressure from the ocean to create a perfect storm.

Warmer Winter in the Midwest and West Coast

006Most of the country in the winter of 2014-2015 is enjoying warmer than expected temperatures of up to 20 degrees more than normal.  This is an exceptionally warm winter, with much precipitation coming to most of the country in the form of rain.  Only the upper midwest, mountain areas in the west, and upper northeast have experienced a snow pack this year.  The snow in Colorado was early and often this year, creating a lovely warm winter in Denver, and a cold enough departure for snow in the upper areas of the bowls and ski areas.

Warmer Winter Trends from Jet Stream

With the jet stream staying further north, and not dipping into the lower parts of the country, snow fall totals have been far less to zero than the previous winter.  The snow is not even worth mentioning, as it has been warm enough to ensure that winter will not hit parts of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, and even Ohio.  Upper parts of the Pennsylvania turnpike were nailed with lakefront snow of crazy depths, and this year half of Buffalo has snow and the other does not.  And, going into Iowa, and upper Illinois and Chicago, they have had one of the snowiest seasons in a 30 year period.  The crutch of this winter, will be the warmer winter pattern, that bumps right up against the jet stream.

With the large population in the Boston Area, many businesses closed and roads covered with slippery conditions, there are so many people who have had travel and non productive delays.  People have died in accidents during this warmer winter, and other areas may have seen an improvement where others have not.  The reality is the warmer winter of 2014-2015 is truly a weather prediction center nightmare.  How much snow and where will it land is sometimes up to the momentary prevailing winds.

Warmer Winter is Delaying Some Winter Events

In Minneapolis and St. Paul, open water has ended some winter lake activities, and there are changes under foot to move some events to other areas.  It really will be interesting to see how February and March of 2015 result in snowfall and temperatures.  In the St. Paul area, some of the winter carnival sculptures saw significant damage due to the warmer winter.  Keep in touch to see how our warmer winter impacts you; either with snow or warmer winter sunny days.

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Polar Vortex of January 5 2014 thru January 7 2014

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Cheryl Hanson

The farmer’s almanac can not include new astronomic and global events like the polar vortex to try to predict or consider when making the weather forecast for the upcoming season.  A polar vortex is an inversion of a temperature system, buffeted between two low pressure systems or two high pressure systems, on either side of this very cold air.  It is a weird occurrence, that normally should not happen in the winter season, either in the northern or southern areas of the globe. Sometimes called a arctic cyclone, or a an arctic oscillation, this can occur when the jet stream is pushed up into the arctic polar winds, and then the two buffeting pressure systems converge to push this very cold weather down into mid latitude areas of the country.

Polar Vortex of January 2014

The most eventful temperature change in a decade, this polar vortex produced 20 degrees below zero temperatures along with increased winds from the north.  With windchill warnings occurring, this frigid temperature mass will cause mass disruption throughout the United States.  The good thing we can count on this unusual event to end, as a cold center mass is often times built to remain near the poles, not over the mid latitudes of the globe.

Temperatures recorded during this event:

-25 below zero Lakeville Minnesota

-22 below zero Minneapolis, Minnesota

-18 below zero Green Bay, Wisconsin

-23 below zero Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Polar Vortex Last Occurred During February, 1996

This event recorded the coldest temperature in Minnesota, during this polar vortex, of -60 degrees below zero, at Tower Minnesota.  The amazing thing about this temperature, is that it stuck around for a long part of the day, and did not depart until the end of that week.  With the long appearance of that temperature pattern, we used up many resources in Upper Minnesota, with many pipes freezing, and homes losing power.  The dangerous temperatures departed, and a very mild pattern ensued until spring.  With that, the cold weather moved over to Siberia, and parts of Russia.  They had a very mild season until then, and then ended up with a very cold end of winter pattern.  This pattern can occur in 2014, with the mild weather being reported on the other side of the globe in the Eastern Parts of Europe, Russia, and China.

End is in sight for the Polar Vortex

With the Farmer’s Almanac forecasting a very snowy and mild start to the mid western parts of the United States, and a warmer than usual end of the winter and spring, the polar vortex has completely misrepresented this forecast.   Between the dates of January 6 and January 9th, for the mid west, The Old Farmer’s Almanac- 222nd Anniversary Edition has a forecast as “Rain and snow east, snow west, quite mild.”    The polar vortex has invalidated this prediction, with great enthusiasm.

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January 1 Thru January 5 2014 Weather

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Cheryl Hanson

January 1 2014 was reported to be cold with a chance of snow, in Minneapolis.  The real weather was dry, with extremely low temperatures, never hitting above 3 degrees on both January 1 and January 2 2014.  The weather was a real struggle for everyone, especially for the poor residents on Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis, who lost their business and homes to a fire caused by an explosion.  The area is famous for showcasing Bob Dylan during his early song stage performances,  and return trips from NYC, back to Minnesota, during the late sixties and early 1970s.   Now, and as always, the area is famous for welcoming immigrant populations to our city and state, and is called 7 corners to many of the university of Minnesota Student Populations.

blue shovelAlthough January is often cold, the weather has been ridiculous.  Many long time Minnesotans are saying that this reminds them of the weather they remember from many years ago, as our winters over the last 10 years have been very mild.  True, we have experienced below zero temperatures every winter, and snowfall to tire out most hearty souls, but many people in Minnesota have a fun way of remembering the cold weather with a kind of certain fondness.  Crazy souls who love a challenge, that is the mid-western way.

Farmer’s Almanac is Wrong for January 1 2014

Prediction was for the following:  “1-5 Snowstorm, then flurries east; snow showers, then sunny frigid west.” -The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 222nd Anniversary Edition.

The “1-5” is the January 1 thru January 5 period of time, and there was no recorded snowstorm, then flurries.  Part of the prediction, as it is five days long, could be read as accurate, as Snow showers may happen on January 3rd, in the evening.  The “Sunny Frigid West” part could be called in as true, but this random prediction is very flaky in my opinion.  We have a windy day  coming on January 3, 2014 with measurable snow in the evening.  Warm temperatures of 19 degrees are predicted as of the writing.

Will the coldest recorded temperature of 45 degrees below zero count as a part of this prediction?  With upper parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan being overwhelmed with metal crushing cold over the last two days, this is surely something that should have been in the prediction from the farmer’s almanac.  There is nothing noted for the region in mention of these record crushing temperatures, which is almost a safety risk.   Former and past predictions surely are not going to endure with advances of thermal and wind predictive models in new weather technology.

January 1 2014 gave way to Extreme Cold in January 2 2014

Northern Minnesota is recording the coldest temperatures since 1996, in February.  This lapse in judgement from the predictions of the old predictive models, is certainly very worrisome, as people could have thought that this cold snap was not coming.  Often times, a warm day, like on December 28th, can fool even the most experienced mid westerners to think that winter is just not that bad or dangerous.  This kind of weather can ensure you lose a limb if you do not take it seriously.

January 1 2014 should go down as the coldest New Years Day in a Decade

Looking ahead to January 5, the coldest weather is to come.  The prediction by the Farmer’s Almanac does not predict this dangerous change, and in fact, we should see a few days of below zero temperatures for over 5 continued days.  Expect water mains to break, flooding to occur, and dangerous driving conditions to continue.   Being in a snap of cold weather like this one, which began on January 1 2014 will be sure to impress those who are new to our dangerous weather.

 

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Winter of 2013-2014 is Colder Drier and Quicker

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Cheryl Hanson

Winter of 2013-2014 has been a good starter, with below freezing temperatures hitting earlier than normally expected.  In October, the temperatures hit freezing around the end of the month in the midwest.  Some forecasts for the winter of 2013-2014 were signaling for a quicker start to the winter, for a full freeze by November 5th.  The forecasts were straight away correct, showing signs of cooler weather around October 25th.  By November 10th, the first strains of snow were showing signs, and many home owners worried they could adequately prepare for winter, and its long sleep.

Winter of 2013-2014 Starts and Stops

006Around the beginning of November, freezing temperatures, and brisk winds began be very simply part of the climate.  No doubt about it, winter was arriving.  With this advent, new threats of tornadoes began to rise, and many people lost their homes in the middle of the country.  With even colder weather behind these freakish fronts, the task of clean-up was very difficult indeed.  With the warm days of October, and now the cold weather of November, it was difficult to know when lawns could be put to bed, and bulbs planted before they would attempt to grow again.  On Thanksgiving, November 27, 2013, Minnesota and Wisconsin experienced a really warm day, with just enough gusty winds to forecast things to come.  In fact, this was the last warm weekend, with snow and freezing weather remaining on the early part of December.

With the advent of the holiday season, the winter weather was welcome to most people in the midwest, and they began the preparations for the end of the year holiday season.  Often looking for a white christmas, many people were thrilled to see over 15 inches in Central Minnesota for year end of winter of 2013.  Wisconsin and Illinois saw even higher totals of 20 to 25 inches of snow with colder temperatures holding the totals solid.  A two day stretch of warmer weather, above freezing, around December 18, 27 and 28th, showed Minnesota a break in the freeze, and some road ways were slippery due to the freeze thaw pattern.

Warmer Weather Ends For Winter of 2013

With the last of the above freezing days, December of 2013 has been one of the coldest months recorded, ending a record of cold weather dating back to 1970.  Continued cold weather from December 4, 2013 thru December 17, 2013 was the longest stretch of very cold temperatures and light snow Minnesota and Wisconsin has seen since that era.  With the break in the temperatures around December 18th, that change felt very good to us all, and was welcomed.  With the day passing, however, the cold weather returned on December 20th, in the early morning, and lasted for one week.  Very cold temperatures, did not forget to bring precipitation, as the fronts were different enough to warrant more accumulated snow.

Northern Minnesota’s Snowiest Winter of 2013

In Duluth, Minnesota,  and Superior, Wisconsin, there have been over 45 inches of snow so far this winter of 2013, with most of the snow falling between December 2-4, 2013.  That snow fall dropped close to 30 inches of snow around the upper parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  The region is now at a point, if they get more than 3 inches of snowfall, by the end of the year, they will have the snowiest december on record.  Sometimes meeting the record is an accomplishment, but in terms of weather, this will only hold for a very deep precipitation melt off in the spring, and Lake Superior will see good returns on this weather.

Look for extremely cold weather towards the end of the winter of 2013, beginning 2014 with temperatures around 27 degrees below zero on New Year’s eve.  What a way to end a year and a winter of 2013.

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November Tornadoes Average 52 a Year : 2013 Could Hit Record

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Cheryl Hanson

Are November Tornadoes common or are they an unusual occurrence in the late fall?  In the midwest, and parts of the texan plains, the month of November offers around 52 November Tornadoes a year; on average.  The record number of tornadoes in the month of November is 105, and so far in 2013, we have seen over 80 produced.  The year so far, has been fairly slight, with almost 700 tornadoes this season, but our season does seem to be expanding.  The most we have seen in one year, is almost 1900 tornadoes, so even with the November Tornadoes that we saw in the midwest, on November 17th, the year will fall short of the record of all time.  A welcome bit of news, as any Tornado is one too many.

November Tornadoes Caused Wide Spread Damage

November Tornadoes Can Cause Big DamageUnnecessarily under reported, Tornadoes can occur any month of the year in the Upper Midwest of the United States, all the way down to the Pan Handle of Texas.  All it takes is a clash of warm and cool air, and you have the ingredients for  November Tornadoes to threaten.  The wide swings of temperature that we have experienced so far in November of 2013, have led to some experts uncertain on where the storms will begin.  The Twin Cities could have seen quite alot of  snow from this system, if it did stay on the path that was expected.  But, with the warm winds, and the low pressure staying further south, the clash of cold and warm weather occurred more around Chicago than Minneapolis.

New Technology Needed to Predict November Tornadoes

With the change in variable cycles that we are seeing, and the longer storm seasons occurring, November Tornadoes will not be easily predicted with the current meteorology technology.  The European Model is often spoken about, and they have an advanced technology platform that can speed up the predictability of  Tornadoes in the USA.  With an increase in the mix of technology that more accurately captures weather data, analysis and reactive day to day feedback, comes good November Tornadoes prediction.  We are working on bids and congressional reviews to improve our forecast ability in the United States, but until that time, November Tornadoes are only going to be predicted with the European Model.

Effects of November Tornadoes on November 17, 2013

The city of Washington, east of Peoria, is all but a memory, with the debris being located miles beyond the source of the storm.  The November Tornadoes that hit Illinois, were further north than ever recorded, for this late in the season.  Most November Tornadoes work their way east, through the Texas pan handle, not the upper midwest.  Areas in Wisconsin, Iowa, and even southern Minnesota saw hail, strong straight line winds, and damaging effects of quick down pours.  Flooding luckily is not a concern, but with hail and strong winds, insurance claims, and many productive people will see a change to their lives in the days ahead.  Hearts and minds are all in reflection on the six amazing souls that lost their lives to these fast storms.  Never again should we think tornado season is over, especially when November Tornadoes seem to be a part of our daily winter preparation.

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Trees Dropping Leaves in Early November 2013

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Cheryl Hanson

An unusual occurrence is happening in the midwest this fall, with trees dropping leaves later than ever expected.  This happened in 1992 as well, with many leaves not falling until the last week of October.  That year, we had a crazy blizzard snowstorm on Halloween, which corresponded with the Perfect Storm that took down the Andrea Gail.  Remember the movie?  We are even later with leaves not turning, staying green and trees are just not dropping leaves no matter how windy it gets.  True, there are about 1/2 the trees barren with bare branches, and they have been dropping leaves at an easy clip.  The other half, are still really not ready to drop.

Dropping Leaves Before Snows

Our Dog Keesha Before the Halloween Storm

Our Dog Keesha Before the Halloween Storm

Snow came to the midwest last night, and has come over the last month in northern parts of Minnesota and South Central South Dakota.  Early in October, Deadwood had over 50 inches of wet, thick snow.  All the trees had yet to find themselves at a point of dropping leaves before this occurrence, so power outages were a problem.  The problem with late fall power outages is you have cold weather, and you also have no heat because your furnace can’t run.  This is almost a health concern for many, and lots of people will find a place to stay with friends or family who are luckier, or they camp out at a hotel until the situation improves.  The real issue is that you just can’t get to all the chores that you need to before winter arrives.

Winter comes before trees are dropping leaves

What a bummer it is to see your yard clean, and then be enveloped by half of your tree’s leaves with one day of wind.  Then, to see the snow come and cover that already messy ground, with no real hope of cleanup until spring.  This is a tricky thing, as you want to clean your yard before the snow comes, to preserve your grass, and ensure it doesn’t die.  Leaves will suffocate the grass quickly, and cause mold and viruses in your yard.  Bushes and plantings around your yard, need to be wintered before you cover them, so don’t add any wind cover around the base of any new bushes until the winter has really set in.  Trees need to find time for dropping leaves at a natural pace, and heavy snows are hard on trees and the ground cover.

Rake until the soil is Frozen : Trees are Dropping Leaves later in 2013

I spoke to my Dad about this, and he hasn’t ever seen it this late.  We like to keep track of the times we do things each year, and so far, he and I compared notes, and we still have about half of our leaves on the trees.  When are the trees going to go about dropping leaves this year?  Maybe with the big snow storm that is predicted in the middle of November, but not this week.  They are holding tight to green leaves, and bowing under the pressure of the icy snow that hit us last night.  Many trees have yet to see themselves dropping leaves, even though it feels alot like winter is here.

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