-43 wc with 120 mph winds? Dang, so much for the camping

[Scott Patterson]

Last Friday and Saturday we attempted to climb Mount Princton (14,200) in Colorado but had to turn back at 12,000 feet due to the weather. We were thinking of trying another peak Thursday and Friday, but dang -43 chill with 120 mile per hour winds in the forecast?

Man, I'm getting tired of this winter.

This Afternoon: Periods of snow showers with areas of blowing snow. Temperature falling to around -4 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as -35. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 41 and 44 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches possible.

Tonight: Periods of snow showers with areas of blowing snow, mainly before 11pm. Low around -9. Wind chill values as low as -41. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 37 and 46 mph, with gusts as high as 75 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday: Occasional snow with widespread blowing snow, mainly after 11am. High near 13. Wind chill values as low as -38. Windy, with a northwest wind 35 to 40 mph increasing to between 50 and 55 mph. Winds could gust as high as 100 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Occasional snow with widespread blowing snow, mainly before 11pm. Low around -9. Wind chill values as low as -43. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 55 and 65 mph, with gusts as high as 120 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday: Areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow. Cloudy and cold, with a high near 6. Windy, with a northwest wind between 37 and 43 mph, with gusts as high as 75 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

[azsnowman]

And here I thought I had it bad

HOLY blizzard Batman! I can sympathize with you, as I too, am getting kinda tired of the cold temps! The snow is AWESOME though!

I hit a low of -7.5° this morning and I was whinning about it being cold....after reading your temps, I have NO reason to complain!

[CajunMama]

Move to the south. We have summer, still summer, christmas and almost summer!

[Scott Patterson]

Move to the south. We have summer, still summer, christmas and almost summer!

No mountains either though, so I have to stay here.

Anyway, mountaineering is a passion of mine, which is really the reason I stick around here (though Utah is still the best climbing state). When the weather cooperates here, the mountains have a frigid beauty that makes the camping and climbing in the cold worth it. Here are some photos I took in good weather. As you can see, it's cold but starkly beautiful. Winter is the best time to climb the peaks and many areas are really crowded in summer.

[angelwing]

Sigh, Beautiful! If I could I would be there right now, I love the cold and the snow!

[Squarethecircle]

Ooh... picture taking place... fun.

I wouldn't mind taking a hike myself.

[simplykristi]

Scott,
Those are beautiful photos! I need to visit Colorado again.

Kristi

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

That Snow looks So Beautiful!

[Ed Mahmoud]

This ob, far from Colorado, close to the big cities, should be rocking come Sunday afternoon.

[Scott Patterson]

This ob, far from Colorado, close to the big cities, should be rocking come Sunday afternoon.

I was supposed to be climbing there next week, but couldn't secure a plane ticket on the dates I needed.

Desite it's low elevation, it can be windy and cold there for sure. It has a very similar climate to the Colorado mountains.

[azsnowman]

Ooh... picture taking place... fun.

I wouldn't mind taking a hike myself.

OK...if no one else will speak up, "GO TAKE A HIKE!"

[Squarethecircle]

I am, actually, on Sunday.

[Dionne]

Nice winter climb. Good decision to turn back. Did you dig any holes checking the snowpack? Are you trying to rack up a count on winter summits of the fourteeners in Colorado?

[Scott Patterson]

Did you dig any holes checking the snowpack?

Yes.

Are you trying to rack up a count on winter summits of the fourteeners in Colorado?

Yes, I've done over 20 in winter so far. I don't climb them in summer unless with the kids.

[bob rulz]

I'm starting to get tired of the cold here. I don't mind the cold, but I absolutely hate it when it's cold and windy (which it usually isn't so much here). This year it's been a lot windier than normal, and that's what's killing me. I love the snow though! We've had almost a full year's worth of snow so far, but it's been way colder than average (about 4 degrees below average for the whole winter so far). But compared to many places, I don't have it so bad.

[Ed Mahmoud]

Time to plan camping trips to Mount Washington, New Hampshire. Supposedly, on a clear day, you can see forever, and ever, and ever...

Well, to BOS and the coast, anyway.

Current Weather Conditions:
Mount Washington, NH, United States
(KMWN) 44-16N 071-18W 1910M

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conditions at Feb 11, 2008 - 07:53 AM ESTFeb 11, 2008 - 06:53 AM CSTFeb 11, 2008 - 05:53 AM MSTFeb 11, 2008 - 04:53 AM PSTFeb 11, 2008 - 03:53 AM ASTFeb 11, 2008 - 02:53 AM HST
2008.02.11 1253 UTC
Wind from the WNW (290 degrees) at 75 MPH (65 KT) gusting to 87 MPH (76 KT)
Visibility 1/16 mile(s)
Sky conditions obscured
Weather Blowing snow
Freezing fog
Temperature -20 F (-29 C)
Windchill -65 F (-54 C)
Dew Point -20 F (-29 C)
Relative Humidity 100%
ob KMWN 111253Z 29065G76KT 1/16SM BLSN FZFG VV002 M29/M29 RMK VRY LGT ICG

Link




Why nobody ever built a ski resort there, I'll never know.


Here in HOU, on the cool side of a weak front, only upper 50s to near 60ºF (16ºC), but a little disturbance seen here may be on the WV loop just enbough for a strong to low end severe storm.

SPC SWODY1