21-DEC-2021-15:59:00 UTC Winter starts Northern Hemisphere (Shortest day of the year sunrise to sunset). Then getting longer with more sunshine. Sun declination will be S 23°26′11.2″ @ 15:59:00 UTC

Note: Southern Hemisphere will have the longest day

Note2: Hawaii had its first snow fall on top of Mauna Kea

Note3: “Pineapple Express” is keeping Mount Bachelor closed! Normally the slopes open on Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the reminder it isn’t winter yet…

Coldest November much of Alaska has seen in a loooong time. I live in a relatively mild part of the state, yet I was moose hunting in -22F temperatures a bit more than a week ago. I know that December 21st is technically the "first day of winter", but being as the days start getting longer and the best part of ski and ski flying season is just ahead, it feels much more like the first day of spring to me.

Thank you guys for the response, good information and beautiful photos! I love how quite it is during the winter in Alaska and Canada backcountry.

Oregon: November was really stormy and cold too! Then the snow melted in many areas of the Cascades. A high similar to “The Summer Eastern Pacific High Pressure “ calmed the winds and raised temperatures today. But, the atmospheric stability lowered the clouds.

I’m boarding HA 25 @ 09:25 PST to Honolulu: the water at Waikiki is about 77 F

A view from the marina:





No ski flying in Oregon, snow levels are way up high right now.

File photo: FEB-2012 Oregon

I don't think it's Old Man Winter so much as just the symbolic bookend of planetary tilt. We're well underway here and Old Man Winter has been squatting in my neighborhood for a while.




Never owned snow tires before, but I figured if there was ever a time to try them it's here in these parts. Swapped em out on Sunday. Continental Viking Contact.


I even got to give my free little snowblower a workout. I've since figured out that if you can, to blow downwind.

Santa's going to have to put wheels on his sleigh in Ellensburg this year and I may have to mow the lawn pretty soon.

Dudes! Looking cold out yonder folks!

I just landed at PHNL. Temperature is 81F, light trade winds.

Downtown: Looking out my panoramic windows at the ocean. I’m shirtless, wearing flip flops having ice cream (Mary knows after a long trip to have some vanilla in the freezer). As usual I’m looking to the horizon for motivation and more adventures. Hawaii is not perfect but, a great place to recharge.

These kits will make a huge difference in distance:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/291121649749?c ... 1&mkcid=28

Zzzz, I was wondering how you were doing here in the north country. Haven't froze to death yet I see.

Today is the darkest celestial day of the year. Another Winter season has officially started!

The snow has returned:

Zane, if you have safe ice get out there and blow a skating rink for the kids, they will love it!

I assume there is good safe ice up nort dere in Minnesota, eh?


Kurt

Snow forecast today on Big Island of Hawaii:

Big Island Summits-
300 AM HST Wed Dec 22 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, with a
chance of freezing rain.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

G44 wrote:Zane, if you have safe ice get out there and blow a skating rink for the kids, they will love it!

I assume there is good safe ice up nort dere in Minnesota, eh?


Kurt

Done it a few times already and it keeps getting filled back in!

Need some kind of ice surfacing solution. The snow has a hoary effect on the ice or something and really cobbles it.

Zzz wrote:

G44 wrote:Zane, if you have safe ice get out there and blow a skating rink for the kids, they will love it!

I assume there is good safe ice up nort dere in Minnesota, eh?


Kurt

Done it a few times already and it keeps getting filled back in!

Need some kind of ice surfacing solution. The snow has a hoary effect on the ice or something and really cobbles it.

Lots of ways you can go with that, but IIRC your house is within hose-reach of your lake? If so then here's one that's basically just a glorified Bearhawk elevator: https://www.nicerink.com/product/NI066R ... er-ni066rs

denalipilot wrote:

Zzz wrote:

G44 wrote:Zane, if you have safe ice get out there and blow a skating rink for the kids, they will love it!

I assume there is good safe ice up nort dere in Minnesota, eh?


Kurt

Done it a few times already and it keeps getting filled back in!

Need some kind of ice surfacing solution. The snow has a hoary effect on the ice or something and really cobbles it.

Lots of ways you can go with that, but IIRC your house is within hose-reach of your lake? If so then here's one that's basically just a glorified Bearhawk elevator: https://www.nicerink.com/product/NI066R ... er-ni066rs

Zane, here's my rig. If Best Tugs built a backyard ice surfacer, this is what it might look like.
-DP

How many square feet per gallon of propane do you get with that fancy rig?

That's a fancy unit DP. More elaborate then I've ever used. I used a simple bucket with a pipe mounted to it. Pipe has holes and a towel mounted on it. Warm water in the bucket and drag it around. Simple. Similar to this.

175 magnum wrote:How many square feet per gallon of propane do you get with that fancy rig?

Varies with temps and how bad the surface is. I mainly just use this for when it’s really in poor shape due to a freezing rain event or similar and nothing else can really fix it. Also prefer to do it above 0F because it’s just more effective. Rink is 65’x130’, and those two 20# tanks will go two to three rounds, so the answer to your question is over 20,000 sq ft as pictured, or over 2,300 sq ft per gallon. Might do it a couple times a season. Lots of the time the wind keeps it polished.

Skinner- I wish I could get by with a can and a towel. I’ve managed similar a couple times, but the pond is the only close source of water, and the ice gets about 3’ thick. Would love to come skate in your nice barn.

denalipilot wrote:

175 magnum wrote:How many square feet per gallon of propane do you get with that fancy rig?

Varies with temps and how bad the surface is. I mainly just use this for when it’s really in poor shape due to a freezing rain event or similar and nothing else can really fix it. Also prefer to do it above 0F because it’s just more effective. Rink is 65’x130’, and those two 20# tanks will go two to three rounds, so the answer to your question is over 20,000 sq ft as pictured, or over 2,300 sq ft per gallon. Might do it a couple times a season. Lots of the time the wind keeps it polished.

Skinner- I wish I could get by with a can and a towel. I’ve managed similar a couple times, but the pond is the only close source of water, and the ice gets about 3’ thick. Would love to come skate in your nice barn.

Oh don't go thinking I have a nice barn. That picture is just an example. My dugout is 120'×120' and is very much outdoors. I am able to get hot water from my pressure washer and haul it over which is nice.
Merry Christmas!

Oregon is completely bombarded with snow right now. HWY I5 needs snowplows near Sexton Summit & Ashland Summit. Crazy winter storm! The beaches are covered in snow!.

Below: Video recording from cellular telephone of a rest-area named “Ellmaker” on HWY (20), Christmas Day! Altitude is about 400’ MSL. 12:00:00 PSTAshland, Oregon 18:00:00 PST -