[ItalVT]

I spent the day yesterday hiking in the hills outside Pittsford. BEAUTIFUL 75 degree sunny weather. Not a sign of snow anywhere and some trees starting to bud. Giving thanks...

[murphy7845]

washed the 68, having a drink watching the yard crew clean up things, tempted to put the boat in the lake.....

[Logs and Dogs]

I spent the day consoling the people I know that rely on snowmobilers and winter tourism to support their motels, bars and restaurants as this is the final kiss of death for the miserable season. They were holding out hope for one large late season storm to bring in a couple weekends of revenue.

Sorry to be a curmudgeon on good weather, but we're talking about businesses that now have to shut down early and lay off folks early due to the early season warm up....

I'll take spring in May......

[joe moving]

i am worried also. doing our best to support all of the local businesses.

I took a run at Mad River yesterday in a t-shirt (obviously!). It was sketchy. Sunday there was JUST barely enough snow to go top to bottom without running into too much grass, but as of yesterday I was hitting significant portions of grass. not ready to hang up the skis yet.

[Logs and Dogs]

Originally Posted by joe moving

i am worried also. doing our best to support all of the local businesses.

I took a run at Mad River yesterday in a t-shirt (obviously!). It was sketchy. Sunday there was JUST barely enough snow to go top to bottom without running into too much grass, but as of yesterday I was hitting significant portions of grass. not ready to hang up the skis yet.

I always shake my head when people are pleased with a lack of snow and when spring busts in during mid-March. I know they don't mean any harm, but they really don't understand the economic impacts of a light winter and early spring. It's like they don't realize they are betting against their neighbors who own local businesses.

The VAST system was never really open in many areas and those areas are now hurting from lack of revenue.....some businesses will not make it to summer.

I'll take my spring in late April and May and winter November through April thanks.

Same thing happens with the folks that jump up and down when we have a dry summer......"all those beautiful sunny days at the lake !!!!" Meanwhile some poor farmer's crop is blowing away in the wind as the field is dust. Light snow melt in irrigation ponds this year, better not be a dry dry summer or another group with suffer as well.

[ItalVT]

Originally Posted by Logs and Dogs

I always shake my head when people are pleased with a lack of snow and when spring busts in during mid-March. I know they don't mean any harm, but they really don't understand the economic impacts of a light winter and early spring. It's like they don't realize they are betting against their neighbors who own local businesses.

The VAST system was never really open in many areas and those areas are now hurting from lack of revenue.....some businesses will not make it to summer.

I'll take my spring in late April and May and winter November through April thanks.

Same thing happens with the folks that jump up and down when we have a dry summer......"all those beautiful sunny days at the lake !!!!" Meanwhile some poor farmer's crop is blowing away in the wind as the field is dust. Light snow melt in irrigation ponds this year, better not be a dry dry summer or another group with suffer as well.

I think we all understand the economic implications of the strange weather this winter (I know I do since I am directly affected by it). That said, we are just expressing how we're enjoying the beautiful 80 degree weather in March.
By the way, where do you live that winter lasts from November thorugh April? Alaska?
Here in Rutland County, I would say winter (snow on the ground, etc.) lasts from mid December through mid-late March. Of course, leaves are off trees from late October through April if that's what you mean.

[Logs and Dogs]

In the NEK we have snow on the ground usually Mid-November to Early or Mid April at elevation. My buddy and I were plowing my driveway around Thanksgiving this year during deer season. Plowing was not the activity we wanted to be doing then.....

First snow in late October into early November has been fairly common, just not plowable amounts over 4-5". Winter temps start in earnest in early November if not late October, nights in the 20s days in the high 30's. That is reversed in April normally for us.

Mud season is normally from about the second week in April through mid May until things dry out. Barring a steady rainy April this year I would assume early May we will be mountain biking on relatively dry trails in the NEK.

[68vette]

I'm not saying our long snowy winters are a thing of the past, but the future trends are not looking great. Two years ago people were thinking it was a fluke. The USDA as well as climate experts are all suggesting warmer weather and winters. The predictions are that Vermont will have no sugar maples left by 2080 and the climate may equal what the state of Georgia is like now. That's more than my lifetime away, but it would surely be like the mid-Atlantic in the next few decades if the predictions are correct.

[arctichomesteader]

That sort of change would really suck for the state, to put it very mildly.

[LisaMc46]

Originally Posted by joe moving

i am worried also. doing our best to support all of the local businesses.

I took a run at Mad River yesterday in a t-shirt (obviously!). It was sketchy. Sunday there was JUST barely enough snow to go top to bottom without running into too much grass, but as of yesterday I was hitting significant portions of grass. not ready to hang up the skis yet.

Things here in Stowe are melting fast. This morning Stowe Mountain Resort ha 80 trails open; by this afternoon it was down to 50.

I was up there last weekend and there were bare spots all over. People were hiking down the Toll Road. They had to close their cross-country center Sunday.

They were planning to stay open until 4/22. I'd be surprised if they last through Easter weekend.

On the bright side, there are lots of tourists in town. They are biking, running along the recreation path, and enjoying the restaurants and shops. So, businesses are making some money though probably not as much as if the town was filled with skiers/riders.