Snow conditions were looking a bit late march up in the north country prior to last night. a good solid crust had formed over maybe a 12" of snow down in the 1400 foot level. Out on the local trails a lot of wet spots from run off and seasonal streams were becoming apparent. A great time to be going off trail. There was 1 to 3" forecast overnight last night (thursday). I had an appointment in Randolph this AM at 8:30 and most indications were the snow would be over and all cleaned up. Well there is the forecast and then the actual conditions and they were a bit different. I have 6 plus inches of powder in the driveway and the town had just done one pass with a snowplow. US Rt 2 has not been plowed but the hill has been salted so there is one wet track, get out of that and its fishtailing time. Its powdery snow with wind and visibility is poor. Safe speed on RT 2 was probably 35 MPH., I had to meet someone on Durand road in Randolph and half of it had not even been plowed. Another 6" plus. The town plow driver was busy shoveling the sidewalk at town hall after the appointment so I expect the road will be plowed soon. My guess is the higher summits on the west slope are going to get a lot more as this is one of those increasing rare traditional snow storms with a west to east track. These were the dominant type of snow storms that I grew accustomed to when I moved north to the whites in 1987 but in the last few years they are far less the driver of weather with the big storms coming out of the south up the Atlantic and those storms tend to wet or get blocked by the whites so that I am on the low end of the accumulation maps.
This is a start of a three day weekend and I hope those hikers heading north will throw in a pair of snowshoes and full winter gear in the car and use them on the trails that will be drifted in and in areas completely filled in enough that route finding will be big issue. Without snowshoes they are going to be in posthole marathon. Looking at the OBs forecast, its high winds and dangerous wind chills until Sunday. I hope some folks dont try to recreate the Kate M experience
as it may not be that extreme but enough to get in lot of trouble real quick. No doubt the upper Valley Way will have several feet of powder blow in from Kings Ravine.
Definitely looks like winter again although the next 6 or 7 days look more like late March. These day I am always wondering is the last significant snow of the season?
This is a start of a three day weekend and I hope those hikers heading north will throw in a pair of snowshoes and full winter gear in the car and use them on the trails that will be drifted in and in areas completely filled in enough that route finding will be big issue. Without snowshoes they are going to be in posthole marathon. Looking at the OBs forecast, its high winds and dangerous wind chills until Sunday. I hope some folks dont try to recreate the Kate M experience
as it may not be that extreme but enough to get in lot of trouble real quick. No doubt the upper Valley Way will have several feet of powder blow in from Kings Ravine. Definitely looks like winter again although the next 6 or 7 days look more like late March. These day I am always wondering is the last significant snow of the season?
