First Snowstorm

Wednesday we received our first winter snowstorm.  Even though the storm had been forecasted a few days in advance, it still came as a surprise this early in the season. Especially since recent mild temperatures led to some complacency about winter arriving any time soon.

What a Difference Two Weeks Makes!

November 16

November 30

Peaking during the afternoon of the busiest travel day of the year, made this storm particularly problematic in New England. Many travelers left a day earlier or postponed their trip, to avoid being on the road during the worst of it.

Driving on the Roads Wednesday Afternoon was Treacherous

The snow was not light and fluffy, but very heavy being mixed with sleet and rain. In the evening you could stand outside and hear large branches crashing down in the woods. We were fortunate since we were not hosting Thanksgiving. Our contribution, an apple pie, had just come out of the oven before the power went out. The weather remained cold for three days following the storm, which made for nice pictures, but the added weight was not good for many trees and shrubs. Already I can see that there will be lots of spring clean-up to do.

Some of these bent birches may survive, but others have actually split in two and will need to come down

We have a lot of white pines in our woods and these, in particular, took a beating.  Throughout the neighborhood many came down completley, causing power outages by landing across wires; or more serious damage if a vehicle or building happened to be underneath.

Extreme weather events are very humbling and put into perspective how vulnerable we humans are. We become more appreciative of basic necessasities such as shelter, heat and water. Out in nature, plants and animals struggle to survive during severe winters and many do not. Downed trees can be a nuisance when they block a trail, but when there is no reason to remove them, they actually provide numerous benefits to wildlife and overall forest health. 

Dead logs and brush piles provide shelter for birds, small mammals and amphibians. Insects feed on the decaying wood and its moist environment is the perfect environment for mushrooms and other fungi. Downed trees provide cover for the forest floor, protecting the soil and preventing erosion. Although severe winter weather can have dire consequences to our homes and may damage our cultivated landscapes; out on the wild they are simply a part of the natural processes of nature from which new life will inevitably return and thrive.

And the Sun Always Returns!