Only On The Walters Post

Hey folks, here’s what I’m seeing for our winter this year around Port Loring.

November
Starting things off… November looks mostly mild at first. Days should be close to normal, maybe a little warmer sometimes. Snow will be slow to stick, just a dusting here and there. Don’t be surprised if a storm tries to come from the Pacific Northwest or a weak system from the south, but by the time it gets here it will probably just be rain or wet snow. Nights start cooling down toward the end of the month, so winter is quietly getting ready.

Nature’s signs: Watch for more geese heading south and the squirrels running with their caches. My forefathers read these little hints and knew winter was creeping in. The first nights of frost on the marshes are always a clear warning that snow will start to hold soon. Which we been having a lot of lately.

December
Early December should still be relatively mild, but we’ll start feeling some real cold by mid-month. Cold air from up north may reach us and keep things below freezing for stretches. Early in the month, precipitation might be wet snow or a little freezing rain, but by the second half, snow will start piling up for real. Keep an eye out for storms coming down from the west or Midwest.

Nature’s signs: The deer shift their grazing, and river edges start to ice over. When the snow holds in the pines and smaller birds disappear, winter is truly here.

January
January is shaping up to be the heart of winter. After a possible warm spell early in the month, cold sets in hard. Expect long stretches below zero with snow building steadily. Late in the month could bring a bigger winter storm. Ice on lakes and rivers will finally start to get solid, and winter chores will be in full swing.

Nature’s signs: Tracks in fresh snow tell a story if you watch closely. The hooting of owls, the paths of foxes, and frozen river edges all speak to the severity of the cold. My forefathers trusted these signs more than any weather report.

February
February may be one of the snowier months. That cold air from James Bay could stick over us for days at a time. Snow totals may be higher than last year. There could be one or two ice storms if warmer air from the south meets the cold. Make sure wood and fuel are ready, because the cold will linger.

Nature’s signs: Look at the berry bushes, the tracks of rabbits and other small animals. When snow is heavy and animals are cautious, my forefathers knew to expect a deep winter ahead. The wind off the lake and the way it whistles through the pines is another clue.

March
March won’t let up completely. Cold snaps will still show up, but we’ll get some warmer days mixed in. Snow may get heavy in spots, and late-season storms could drop wet snow or a mix that slows spring melt. The last half of March may still bring serious winter weather, so don’t put away the winter gear too soon.

Nature’s signs: The first frogs calling under the ice, the slow movement of rivers, and the early sun hitting the hills all signal that spring is near. But my forefathers would remind you that nature doesn’t rush, and the cold can still return before spring truly sets in.

Bottom line
Winter starts slow and mild, but December through March will bring the real cold, snow, and a few ice storms. Snow totals may be a little higher than last year, and some storms could be heavy. Lakes and rivers will freeze solid, but early ice will be thin. Keep an eye on the weather, watch nature, and trust what it tells you.

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Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW