Water Closet for February 12, 2016 

[pullquote]”For this year’s first significant snow storm, a perfect combination of conditions had given artist Jackie Frost just what she needed.” [/pullquote]Friday, February 5^th, serious snow fell in barely freezing air. Wet, it stuck to trees and all else encountered. There was no strong wind to blow it off. Colder air took over in the evening thus freezing the frosting.

The view from any window here in the suburbs was as beautiful as those the splendid following Saturday morning. We Water Closeteers almost felt sorry for snow birder friends in balmy Florida. T

Beaver dam across Ipswich River at Logbridge Landing, Middleton, Friday evening after the storm after trees are well frosted with wet snow. – Elaine Gauthier photo

hose wimpish souls will be teased about what they are missing. For this year’s first significant snow storm, a perfect combination of conditions had given artist Jackie Frost just what she needed. We’ve seen many more spectacular storms with more snow than Friday’s seven inches, but this without scene destroying winds was just right.

Deciduous trees in temporary white winter dress grace the Ipswich River. Sun and breeze will soon undress them. – Elaine Gauthier

One old Closeteer delighted in a three mile woodland walk in first light among snow laden trees. The burdens on white pines’ branches cascaded like frozen pure white water falls. The sun now brightening will soon do in the great show. Maybe that is good; too much too long couldn’t be taken. The super bowl extravaganzas won’t hold a candle to what we enjoyed last night and this morning.

Saturday morning after Friday’s storm. Snow covered birches seem to bend in obeisance to the photographer on her way to Middleton Pond. – Pamela Hartman photo

And speaking of light, let us praise modern weather forecasters who with their measuring devices and machines shed light on what is likely to happen a week ahead of time. Within 48 hours they are often right on.   Bands of snow depths will be within a few miles and plus or minus an inch of those predicted. Temperatures predicted a day ahead of time are often within a degree. Humidity and barometric pressure measurements are accurate. The Farmers Almanac and similar whimsical nonsense have been largely swept away by good science. A network of weather buoys, ships, and stations; satellite images, and radars observing and measuring a score of variables pour data into processing computers. Well-educated minds analyze their models. Weather changes are now rarely surprises.   Still there are those who unfairly grouse about the weather folks who do ten times better than the political pollsters and pundits studying the presidential races. The latter are working with fellow humans where the number of variables are unknown; in the interactions of water, sunlight, and air equaling climate and weather there are many, but fewer.

White pines, truly white, tower above frosted deciduous trees thus making a shining temporary cliff on the north side of Middleton Pond. – Pamela Hartman photo

This last relatively gentle storm praised above was forecast several days ahead. A day before, meteorologists told us correctly just what would happen and when. Schools were closed releasing kids to play in the snow or so we old timers hoped. Alas, they are no doubt enjoying virtual things on their computers. None are seen in yards or shoveling driveways.

After last week’s warm damp snow storm in freezing air. – Elaine Gauthier photo

Today the old Closeteer will try to get his grandson involved in building a snow fort or better still taking a good long woodland hike looking for tracks of wild neighbors under snow covered trees. He isn’t optimistic. Ubiquitous handheld computers carried in pockets, connected with all aspects of the world are far too attractive. (To his surprise his grandson, unsolicited, asked to build a fort on the front lawn. The original 1969 Earth Day flag flies above it now as another snow storm is being happily anticipated.)

Bare spruce trunks were shielded from the snow caught above in thick evergreen boughs. Less than half of the flakes falling from the sky made it to the ground. – Pamela Hartman photo

So here the old timer praises weather folks and their marvelous computers while worrying about our children too much with electronic devices. A month ago he criticized his grandsons’ parents for calling him and grandson while driving. He had pulled over to grumpily tell them not to call again while they too were driving. After his twelve year old grandson received a short rant about such unnecessary distractions, he glanced at grandpa with some amazement and gently said “grandpa that’s the way it is”.

After over eight months of lower than average precipitation the north shore shallows of reservoir Middleton Pond are exposed. On the south shore across the pond is a dense stand of mature pines newly decorated with wet snow. – Pamela Hartman photo

No wonder some old timers look forward to the peace and beauty of new fallen snow. And maybe they hope it will knock out communications, at least those needing wires.
_________________________________________________________

WATER RESOURCE AND CONSERVATION INFORMATION
FOR MIDDLETON, BOXFORD AND TOPSFIELD`

Ipswich R. Flow Rate (S. Middleton USGS Gage) in Cubic Feet/ Second (CFS):
 Feb 8, 2016  Normal . . . 61 CFS     Current Rate . . . 24 CFS
*Danvers Water Filtration Plant, Lake Street, Middleton is the source for actual precipitation data thru Jan.
**Middleton Stream Team is source of actual precipitation data for Feb.
Normals data is from the National Climatic Data Center.
THE WATER CLOSET is provided by the Middleton Stream Team: www.middletonstreamteam.org or         <MSTMiddletonMA@gmail.com> or (978) 777-4584