Is winter coming, or is it here?

[Baradium]

Got duality going on right now.  Still clear ground in fairbanks, but yesterday the North Slope was white (not to mention the 30-40kt winds!).

I guess I'm going to *really* enjoy it when it's 40 below with those winds...

[cj5_pilot]

Here are current conditions in Palmer:

49.5 F
Winds 9 mph gusts to 17 ENE
Visibility 10 miles
29.89



That is Lazy Mountain, taken from the front door of my store.  The local rule of thumb is 2 weeks from the top of Lazy to the bottom of the valley for snow.

[Baradium]

Over the course of the last week I've watched the weather in various places changing.   Last tuesday, the slope was cool, but although there was some snow in Barrow, it was only slightly on the ground and melting.  Deadhorse, Nuiqsik, and Barter were clear.... now they are all covered.   

Galena has been going in and out of snow, don't know if it has it for good now.  Nome was close.  Friday the Island was covered in Gambel and it was snowing in Savoonga.

Heavy winds and icy runways,  been told that my crosswind landing skills will be excellent after a winter of flying up here. 

The idea of gravel runways with approach lights (lead in lights even in some cases) and full lighting doesn't seem odd to me anymore considering the weather we go into all the time.   

WAAS could really help in a lot of these places if they can get it installed some day.   IMO.

[tundra_flier]

Winter in Fairbanks has been delayed until further notice....

[Gulfstream Driver]

Flew through snow virga today.  They're talking snow later in the week, but no more than 3 inches.  I'm sure it won't stick around, but the leaves have peaked, so the white stuff's not far behind.

[TheSoccerMom]

You Alaska guys have all the fun!!  Well, okay, maybe not ALL, but you get a good chunk of it!!

CJ_5, you could have summarized that home-town weather report with "Perfect Palmer Swimming Weather" -- ha!!!!!!!!!

I always wished you could capture, and save, little magic capsules of "weather-time" -- save some of that "40 below and windy" stuff for days when you're in Vegas at 117 F and sweating like a pilot in confession, and vice versa.  Just whip out the little capsule, break it open, and voila!!  A sudden burst of cold, winter air.. ahhhhhh.      

Sheesh... I guess I haven't gotten over the hot summer yet.  Bear with me.. it'll wear off by January, promise!!!   

Don't lose your mittens up there!!!  (Spoken like a true Soccer Mom, huh??)      

[Baradium]

You Alaska guys have all the fun!!  Well, okay, maybe not ALL, but you get a good chunk of it!!

CJ_5, you could have summarized that home-town weather report with "Perfect Palmer Swimming Weather" -- ha!!!!!!!!!

I always wished you could capture, and save, little magic capsules of "weather-time" -- save some of that "40 below and windy" stuff for days when you're in Vegas at 117 F and sweating like a pilot in confession, and vice versa.  Just whip out the little capsule, break it open, and voila!!  A sudden burst of cold, winter air.. ahhhhhh.      

Sheesh... I guess I haven't gotten over the hot summer yet.  Bear with me.. it'll wear off by January, promise!!!   

Don't lose your mittens up there!!!  (Spoken like a true Soccer Mom, huh??)      

I can't use mittens, makes it hard to load and unload cargo etc...

Winds were fun today.  Supposed to be going to the slope tomorrow.  Winds will be back to their normal 30 gusting 40 hopefully.  Ops were suspended due to 60-80 kt winds up there.

Need to get a digital camera instead of using disposables.  Right now I don't have a way to take pictures of all the snow to show. 

[tundra_flier]

I can't use mittens, makes it hard to load and unload cargo etc...

MIttens and heavy gloves are the reason I love those big old knobs on my KX-170B radio.  I hate the new radios with their little tiny buttons.   

Phil

Oh, and Baradium, you'll be surprized how much dexterity you have with mittens on with a little practice.

[chuckar101]

Actually have some snow on the mountaintops down here in Eastern Nevada.  But there are no true seasons in Eastern Nevada.  I say that because I've sen snow at least once every month of the year since I lived here.

[Gulfstream Driver]

Rain turned to snow overnight last night.  I hate that.  The ice tears up my ice scraper.     It's snowed off and on all day, and we're expecting more of the same until Sunday.  It wouldn't be so bad, but the wind is gusting above 30 out of the North.  Makes teaching in the 172 really interesting.

[tundra_flier]

They're forcasting Snow in Fairbanks for tonight and tomorrow, but highs in the 40's.  Termination snow will be here any day now. 

Hope I can get one more good flight in first, the runway I'm on now doesn't get plowed and since I don't have skis that means I'm done flying as soon as the snow comes.

Phil

[happylanding]

Winter in Fairbanks has been delayed until further notice....

Same happening in London and Lugano. Here in London you can still go out with a tshirt on and no pullover. unbelievable! and the same is happening in Lugano....from what I'm hearing from my parents.......

[tundra_flier]

Well today in Fairbanks is what I believe you would call Blustery.  About 45 degrees with 15 to 20 mph breezes.  Lots of leaves flying around, but no action on the strip.  I must say we're rapidly approching the time of year when global warming sounds like a darn good idea!

[Baradium]

Well today in Fairbanks is what I believe you would call Blustery.  About 45 degrees with 15 to 20 mph breezes.  Lots of leaves flying around, but no action on the strip.  I must say we're rapidly approching the time of year when global warming sounds like a darn good idea!

I'm probobly going on the slope tomorrow... :p    It's nice in Fairbanks.

[tundra_flier]

Raining here, and temperature rapidly falling to freezing...should be interesting getting to work in the morning...
I'll be glad with it freezes up and starts actually snowing, instead of this wet stuff. 

Phil