Just like it was forecast, our weather got nasty today.  We've had a lot of rain, wind, and tonight it's spitting snow.  Measurable snow predicted - something like three inches possible here.  

Early this morning it was still mild outside and I awoke to birds chirping.  It wasn't raining here then, and apparently this little bird was very happy to be back from wherever.

The warm weather yesterday took most of the snow off the hillsides, and water was running in sheets under the patches of snow left on the hill in back of our house, all pouring into the pond. I took these pictures early this morning, and you can see that there was a lot of water in the channel coming into the pond even then, before the rain began.  There was also water on the ice. 

Jack LaGue (Sandy Beach Road) sent this comment about the ice this weekend:

I walked out on the ice just south of the small island last Saturday afternoon and chatted with someone who was ice fishing. They indicated that the ice was still about 2' thick. 

I don't think it would be safe to walk on the ice now. This afternoon the temperature began to drop and there was heavy rain.  There are reports of threatening high water on roads in the area and lakes and ponds are expected to rise above flood level in the next couple of days.  I just looked out and our deck has about a quarter inch of snow on it, and the temperature is just below freezing, still headed downward.  That should slow down the runoff and perhaps prevent serious flooding - but there will still be high water.  

 

I'm listening to the scanner tonight and just heard an emergency call; a vehicle is stalled in high water on Pudding Hill and the occupants are trapped in the vehicle and asking for help from the Lyndonville Fire Department.  Help is on the way.  Road crews will no doubt be busy tonight - many are on flood watch along flood-prone highways.

Tomorrow I'll probably have some snow pictures for you!  No surprise there, I guess.  This has been a year for quick-change weather and surprises.  Just because it's supposed to be spring doesn't mean we'll have anything close to normal spring weather - just more giant swings.  Which may be the new normal.