Signs of Spring

Perhaps it is somewhat premature to be talking about Spring however, with a high temperature of 63 observed out at the Decatur (IL) airport on Thursday, it is hard not to. Taking the opportunity to step out and get some fresh air, I didn't expect to see much else other than slush and mud. I thought that the lone pair of Canadian Geese in the first picture would end up being my lucky shot of the day. Little did I know it would serve as a mere precursor to the big show which was a massive flock of Snow Geese to pass directly overhead a short time later.











Uninteresting as the snow was for being a dirty melting mess, I noticed that every object once at rest in the surface was in its own crater. This is the result of darker colored objects absorbing light to generate the slightest bit of heat thereby melting the snow around to where it sinks into the snowpack. Not that this is a unique process but I figure that anything which causes snow to melt faster is worth appreciating so I broke out the macro attachment.











Unrelated to the snow but still with the macro.


and finally, incredible sunset to finish the day though I was on foot and unable to find a decent vantage point that didn't require wading through a ditch.

Groundhog Day Blizzard Video

I've been so busy with things that I forgot post here. On the morning after the previous entry, I headed down towards Boody IL to check out the icing they received. Simultaneously, the big storm started cranking up so I was able to get some interesting photos as well as wind video featuring iced lines galloping. Then of course the blizzard kicked in and the rest is history. I took the blog sized pics off my computer so the samples here are the small Facebook sized versions I posted. Won't be double posting this to Facebook as it is old news but didn't want to leave those of you who follow my blog out. As per the title, check out the video montage I made HERE.

The Crippler

Of all the over hyped names people are throwing around for the system currently coming together across the Central US that will likely become historic till all is said and done, I haven't seen a name more fitting than "The Crippler". I certainly don't take credit but it does have my support and more so than terms like "Snowpocalypse" or "Snowmageddon" whose epicness lies only in the cheese factor. Below is some sleet with the first wave of precipitation to lift across Central IL on Monday afternoon. No need to talk meteorology or snowfall totals because "The Crippler" will find you if it hasn't done so already.









Of course if you do need legitimate information including maps and other resources, be sure to skim the blogs at right that I support.