Category Archives: Weather

Shifting Burrows: How Climate Change is Reshaping Marmot Habitats

Climate Change and Marmots: A Shifting Landscape Marmots have long been the quiet custodians of alpine meadows, their burrows dotting the high slopes and their whistles echoing across mountain valleys. But in recent decades, the familiar rhythms of marmot life … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Weather | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Alaska’s Marmot Day: A Celebration of Furry Forecasters

When most Americans think of February 2nd, they picture a certain groundhog in Pennsylvania predicting the arrival of spring. But in Alaska, February 2nd isn’t Groundhog Day — it’s Marmot Day, a celebration honoring the state’s own furry weather forecasters and their … Continue reading

Posted in Travel, Weather | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Midwinter Reprieve

Enjoy the warm weather, but keep your winter coat close! Continue reading

Posted in Stormy, Weather | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Leap February Prediction

After a bitterly cold January, predicting anything resembling spring seemed like a stretch, but as I looked for my shadow this morning, it was conspicuously missing. Today is Groundhog Day, the halfway point through winter.  If nothing else, January 2024 … Continue reading

Posted in Stormy, Weather | Leave a comment

Chilled to the Bone

With the cross quarter day here, I had to get out of my warm burrow early and head outside to test the weather.  There was a little bit of good news.  Unlike a few days ago, it wasn’t -10°F.  Yes, … Continue reading

Posted in Weather | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

One Cold Marmot

On a cold blustery day I still believe in spring. Continue reading

Posted in Stormy, Weather | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Winter

Today is Imbolc, a cross-quarter day, the Celtic day for estimating how soon spring will come and when to plant the crops.  It might be counterintuitive, but an overcast sky is a good omen, a sign of coming rain, when … Continue reading

Posted in Stormy, Weather | Leave a comment

The Flip of a Groundhog

Punxsutawney Phil has been frequently maligned for the accuracy of his forecast.  As of 2020 he is batting a solid 36% accuracy in his prognostications.  Now in baseball a hitter with a .360 would be considered pretty good, but with … Continue reading

Posted in Stormy, Weather | Leave a comment

A Cold Prediction on a Warm Day

There may not be any snow, but… Seven years in a row! That’s how many times I stood ankle deep in the snow and made a Groundhog Day prediction. But not this year. The winter of 2020 has been surprisingly … Continue reading

Posted in Stormy, Weather | Leave a comment

Buckle in! Winter’s Coming!

In the very least, Winter does have an intent to linger. It’s been years since Punxsutawney Phil and I agreed on anything.  Three to be exact.  This year, of course, is no different.  Phil’s morning forecast was for an early … Continue reading

Posted in Marmots, Stormy, Weather | Leave a comment