Well… Until today, not much new to report on. Trails were as hard as a brick and the washouts had frozen over. I had seen a few snowmobiles bopping around town, so I can say the trails are passable but rough…probably not fun to ride for long distances.
Light snows over the past several days had netted about an inch of powder around Indian Lake. Places like Moose River Plains and the back side of Perkins Clearing probably had somewhat more fresh snow to work with. I would guess these places were pretty smooth based on the few reports I’ve heard.
Last night, we picked up some sleet/freezing rain mixture. Today’s rain is going to give us another hurt. But there won’t be as much rain as last Friday’s train wreck, and probably not as warm either.
Weekend Outlook
Seasonally cold air will return during the course of Saturday and hold through the weekend. Unfortunately, I don’t foresee enough new snow to freshen things up once the trails refreeze.
If you’re looking to pile on the miles and smiles, your smart play may be to keep your money in your pocket to save it for a better snowmobiling weekend down the line. If you going to be up here anyway and would be happy just to spin off a few hours of limited riding, places like Moose River Plains or Perkins Clearing should be able to accommodate that. Studs and ice scratchers would be an asset by Sunday once everything freezes back up.
Next week?
Several days ago, I was trying to pin some hope on a possible snow event around New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, the heat dome over Florida and the Bahamas looks like it will hang on for a bit longer than previously expected and drive the storm track to our west on New Year’s Eve:
I suppose we could get lucky and have that storm track sag a bit further south & east and lock in some marginally cold air to work with. But the way things have worked against us the past couple of weeks, I wouldn’t bet the farm on that.
The News Year’s Hope may turn out to be the New Year’s Dope. Not nice, but it’s an occupational risk of weather forecasting.
After the New Year’s Eve event, the heat dome will finally get squashed by the middle of next week. There may be a good lake-effect snow event the following weekend as strong Canadian Clippers roll through. But I don’t see that BIG DOG nor’easter type storm to kick us into high gear yet.
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
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