ZIPP2001

We get a week's worth of warmer temps and almost all the snow is gone. I even broke out the road bike thinking winter might be leaving a tad early this year. Well, I should know better this is New England and winter isn't over until early May. So, we get a good dumping of snow, and everything is white again and the trails are once again my playground. The trails aren't packed down so they will make for a tough ride. I decided to head toward a virgin snow trail for some added pain (fun). Thanks, winter, for reminding me how much fun I've had this season.

gecho

We are entering the balaclava and sunscreen phase of winter. I got the beginnings of a balaclava tan line on today's sunny ride.

rumrunn6

haha I went for a sunny walk & thought I was seeing things when my face looked darker!

rumrunn6

I like the frame from inside the tire track. wow that's deep! why no snow mobiles allowed? beautiful storm, stuck to the trees pretty well this time. wonder what the snowmobilers think of you coming out on a bike!

ZIPP2001

They say not enough snow, but all the snowmobilers I've talked to say there is plenty of snow to ride on. Some will go out and just hope they don't get caught and fined. All the snowmobilers have been great to me, and they tend to get a kick out of seeing me deep in the woods.

Viich

I definitely had no illusions about winter being even close to over. It's funny, because to us, 6 more weeks of winter at groundhog day would be a ridiculously early spring........ =p

parkbrav

Well, Mr. Zip, the calendar said so. Today is the first day of Meteorological Spring. But it sure does seem a lot like Winter still!

cue Pat Metheny's track "Spring Ain't Here" - and yes I did recycle the joke from last year!

Or also try George Winston's "Winter Into Spring"

Daniel4

What is meteorological spring? How is today different from yesterday? Is it just because the calendar says it is? Did the winds change?

Astronomical spring is when night time and daylight are equal. And each day after astronomical spring, daytime solar irradiation in the northern hemisphere grows stronger as the nightime cooling gets less. So that has an effect on the winds.

parkbrav

The meteorological seasons are defined by the calendar months. So, literally, the passage of time defines the meteorological seasons.

Meteorological Winter: defined as December, January and February
Meteorological Spring: Defined as March, April, May
Meteorological Summer: Defined as June, July, August
Meteorological Autumn: Defined as September, October, November

The Astronomical Seasons are, as you say, defined by the solstices. the spring solstice occurs this year on March 20.

Daniel4

Looks arbitrary. If the Julian Calendar had been accurate and Gregory didn't have to his thing, new years day would still be at the winter solstice and meteorological winter would start on what we now say would be November 20th or 21st.

parkbrav

Hah true Daniel

I think Meteorological seasons were just invented by weather forecasters for shorthand purposes.

Also, note that southern climates and northern climates will never agree as to when Spring starts. Southern climates will say before the solstice (e.g. meteorological spring). Northern climates will say, after the solstice (solstice spring). So, in many ways, this is a compromise that makes every one happy and every one mad to some extent.

MNBikeCommuter

It is still winter. I met a jogger yesterday and she smiled and waved at me. That only happens in winter around here.

Daniel4

Actually, I googled why New Years Day isn't on the winter solstice. It IS a compromise between religion and politics - if course omitting the science.

Many countries had, and many still have, New Years Day on the Vernal Equinox. But now, countries who follow the Christian calendar have New Years Day 10 days after the winter solstice.

rumrunn6

you stop & get her digits?

Chrisyang

I have to say, now is every industry's winter, I have no mood to cycle.