I was not expecting that.
It also snowed some more, but it feels kind of perfunctory, like someone had a checklist with “Make it snow in the Lower Mainland” and did the bare minimum in order to check it off. I’m okay with that.
The week ahead looks mostly cloudy, clear and well below seasonal temperatures, with highs between 0-2°C and lows all the way down to -10°C. This seems like a good time to resume running on the treadmill.
Benefits of February:
Downsides of February:
As I type this, we are seeing our first intermittent snow of the winter. I disapprove.
And yes, I am totally counting. For today, at least.
(The reality is, I’m reasonably content as long as we don’t get the S-word. Also, I will start writing more substantial posts soon™.)
First, what isn’t the best:
So what is the best thing about December 2024 (so far)?
No snow!
While it has been often quite soggy, this is normal. But the 10-day forecast has mostly above-normal temperatures (as high as 11C), with lows way too high for any chance of snow. This delights me, because when it comes to snow, I am a Grinch. The best snow is no snow. The second-best snow is snow somewhere else that is not here.
So enjoy your snow, other people elsewhere! I will be here, patiently biding my time until snow is no longer possible because it will be spring and warm and lovely.
Weather:
Still better than snow! Also, that high temperature is 5C above normal, so it is mild up in the hizzy, which is even better (except for all the rain).
It’s also the shortest day of the year, but given current conditions, it may be a bit tricky to notice.
Here, again, is a cat in the snow we will not be seeing today:
I saw it today on Mastodon, posted by the user Mandu.
Today was supposed to be a run day. I waited as a few morning showers passed, with the promise of better weather later. The better weather emerged, with actual sunshine. Yay! I changed and headed out.
As I headed out, I realized the high winds of the previous night’s storm were still rather high. I secured my cap and continued off to the lake, observing the ground for debris to see if I might need to reconsider.
I spied one large-ish branch down in Hume Park (photo below). This raised an eyebrow. I pressed on.
At Lower Hume, a very large tree was laying across the roadway. I opted not to take a photo because of the three workers already doing their part to remove it. I wish I had because by the time I returned, they had already cleared almost all of it away. It was, as mentioned, a very large tree. This caused both eyebrows to raise up.
When I got to the river trail, it was not as festooned with debris as expected. I cautiously started down and as I neared a bend by The Old Tree Bridge (years ago a giant tree fell across the river and was so tall it formed a bridge across the river that remains to this day. It’s not a very good bridge, as the other side is just a sheer wall you can’t climb up or anything), I heard a loud crack, then another. I stopped and looked about. I couldn’t see the source and continued on.
But I thought I recognized the sound–wood breaking or snapping.
I got to where one of the famously leaning trees was famously leaning, but now also swaying ominously. I pondered questions like, If it started to fall, how much time would I have to react and get out of the way? Do you feel lucky, punk? And others.
At this point, I felt the health benefits of not getting clobbered by a tree outweighed the health benefits of a run, so I turned back. A few minutes later I heard more cracks, looked to my left, and watched as several large branches snapped off another very large tree and tumbled to the ground. I kind of jogged out the rest of the way, so I did get a run of sorts after all.
I will try again Wednesday, when the risk of being bonked by nature should hopefully be lower.
Stats:
Walk 126
Average pace: 8:51/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 4.71 km
Time: 41:39
Weather: Sun
Temp: 11°C (feels like 5C)
Humidity: 70%
Wind: high to extreme
BPM: 110
Weight: 167.7 pounds
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255
Total distance to date: 922.91 km
It’s a run day, but it is also a rain day on this, the first day of November. According to the Windows weather app, it’s rained 19 out of 30 times the past 30 years on this day. That seems about right.
I’ not actually complaining (mostly). Sometimes it’s fun to even go out in stormy weather, as I did a few weeks ago. But it is not fun to run in the rain. It’s low-key horrible, as the kids say. This IS me complaining.
With the rain expected to go all day, I look at my treadmill and ponder. I may have to take advantage of it later.
And think about going out to buy discount Halloween candy. Kidding! I am totally being good for November! Really! Haha.
No, really.
For sure.
You’ll see.
This past weekend, October 19 and 20th, an atmospheric river passed through the area, bringing a whole lotta rain and the attendant issues that accompany a whole lotta rain, like flooding and such.
Over both days I went through Lower Hume Park and the Central Valley Greenway that follows the trail next to the Brunette River, getting shots of local flooding and water, water everywhere.
I’ve collected the most interesting shots below.
For the record, I prefer my rain light.
Specifically, an atmospheric river. It seems like just a few short years ago I’d never heard the term, now it pops up every fall. I live in a region known as temperate rainforest. Rain is right in the description, so rain is not unexpected.
But rivers of rain? In the sky? That come down to be with the land I walk upon?
I do not like this.
But until U.S. Democrats can perfect their weather machines (topical joke), there’s not much I can do but put on my big boy booties, jacket and suck it up. Well, not literally suck it up. That would be a lot of water. And it would probably taste funny, too.
Here are cats in the rain:
The song Guns ‘N Roses didn’t write.
We’re apparently in for a few days of showers–specifically, five of the next six days, starting today, but not including tomorrow, which is strangely listed as “mostly sunny”. I’m okay with that, though I’m never really sure how to dress for summer rain. The high today will be 24C. That is totes t-shirt and shorts weather. But you’ll be getting wet, so wear a rain jacket. But any rain jacket is going to feel too warm when it’s 24C. So just embrace the rain.
After the incredibly soggy spring, I have my doubts this will hold.
If it does, people will be in full, “It’s too hot!” mode by Day 4.
