New England Winter 2024-25 Bantering, Whining, and Sobbing Thread

[tamarack]

17 hours ago, Ski Patroller said:

I agree about the balance. Street trees should be managed by arborists with their very high level of education in tree pathology and risk assessment. Foresters are all about growing trees as crops and their education level is not in the realm of individual tree health. CT recently upped the municipal tree warden education and experience requirements so that 1st selectmen and their appointees (often the road foreman) aren't making arboricultural decisions which often led to bad outcomes. People like their street trees.

I am completely on board with balancing risk in street tree management but we are nowhere near that right now.

My early '70s education at U.Maine had considerable info on individual tree health, including Alex Shigo's work,  but the application is far more intensive for arborists.  Foresters work with stands rather than individual trees, though a marked harvest is prepared tree by tree.

But to end on a positive note, we just finished a project in NW Maine that permanently protected 3500 acres in the Mahoosucs. Most of it was paper company land and it will now be forever wild. Onward.

Was that the Orbeton Stream tract or a more recent one, easement or purchase?  Most such easements allow continued timber harvests but place constraints on the silviculture used.
And having worked as a forester in the 'true' NW Maine - from T12R15 (Ninemile Bridge area) to Big Twenty - seeing the Mahoosucs referred to as NW Maine drew a chuckle.  (I apologize.) Culturally, definitely; geographically, nope.  
Your posts on the subject are excellent.

[WinterSnow]

55 degrees outside????? Who said that could happen? Where's my winter?

[OceanStWx]

On 2/27/2025 at 10:24 PM, monadnocks said:

I hope all our NWS posters are safe from the job cuts and aren't forced to work unwanted shifts.

So much is happening above our heads it's hard to know what exactly is going on. 

At least initially all probationary mets were let go. Then we've heard that this was a mistake and 1340s (meteorologists) were being waived as public safety, but it's always easier to terminate someone than bring them back. It doesn't include all the support staff, researchers, modelers (which tend to be group as something else like a 1301 physical scientist). It's been a steady drain for years with tight budgets and the usual drip of retirements (about 5% per year), but between this and the Fork in the Road resignations this is likely the largest reduction in staff since modernization in the early to mid 90s.

Next up will be the Ides of March deadline for agencies formulating a plan for RIFs (reduction in force). Nobody is sure whether the NWS will be granted a public safety waiver on that end either. We're typically essential for gov't shutdowns but have never been formally considered public safety. It could amount to staff reductions, or location reductions (cancelled leases), or both.

If you have strong feelings either way, it won't hurt to contact your reps.

[BrianW]

Recent update to the most northen palm tree on the east coast. 

[Pennfisherman]

I understand best and budget do not go hand and hand, with that said, what’s the “best” budget (under $200) home weather station? 

Looking to get more into tracking weather IMBY, and I feel a weather station is a must. 
 

Thanks

[mreaves]

45 minutes ago, Pennfisherman said:

I understand best and budget do not go hand and hand, with that said, what’s the “best” budget (under $200) home weather station? 

Looking to get more into tracking weather IMBY, and I feel a weather station is a must. 
 

Thanks

I have an older version of this one. It’s worked well for the 3 or 5 years I’ve had it. 
 

https://ambientweather.com/ws-2902-smart-weather-station?_gl=1*moug8s*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSi1DxZHfVbYS2Hm6LVIBWjz-zS5KlWHVtIyxicSeKA9w9D2huohcRgaAsJpEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD_pbGfHP62-2k9j_eljCxFAnTzKk

[DavisStraight]

3 hours ago, Pennfisherman said:

I understand best and budget do not go hand and hand, with that said, what’s the “best” budget (under $200) home weather station? 

Looking to get more into tracking weather IMBY, and I feel a weather station is a must. 
 

Thanks

I want to set a new better one when I move to Maine. Im still looking, might just go full Davis.

[DavisStraight]

2 hours ago, mreaves said:

I have an older version of this one. It’s worked well for the 3 or 5 years I’ve had it. 
 

https://ambientweather.com/ws-2902-smart-weather-station?_gl=1*moug8s*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSi1DxZHfVbYS2Hm6LVIBWjz-zS5KlWHVtIyxicSeKA9w9D2huohcRgaAsJpEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD_pbGfHP62-2k9j_eljCxFAnTzKk

That one looks good, thanks.

[Pennfisherman]

3 hours ago, mreaves said:

I have an older version of this one. It’s worked well for the 3 or 5 years I’ve had it. 
 

https://ambientweather.com/ws-2902-smart-weather-station?_gl=1*moug8s*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSi1DxZHfVbYS2Hm6LVIBWjz-zS5KlWHVtIyxicSeKA9w9D2huohcRgaAsJpEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD_pbGfHP62-2k9j_eljCxFAnTzKk

How’s the app? Are you able to pull up trend graphs on it? I don’t really use a desk top, so app features are nice.

[mreaves]

6 hours ago, Pennfisherman said:

How’s the app? Are you able to pull up trend graphs on it? I don’t really use a desk top, so app features are nice.

The app is decent.  The graphs on the app look exactly like the desktop version, which I've pasted below.

 

[monadnocks]

23 hours ago, OceanStWx said:

So much is happening above our heads it's hard to know what exactly is going on. 

At least initially all probationary mets were let go. Then we've heard that this was a mistake and 1340s (meteorologists) were being waived as public safety, but it's always easier to terminate someone than bring them back. It doesn't include all the support staff, researchers, modelers (which tend to be group as something else like a 1301 physical scientist). It's been a steady drain for years with tight budgets and the usual drip of retirements (about 5% per year), but between this and the Fork in the Road resignations this is likely the largest reduction in staff since modernization in the early to mid 90s.

Next up will be the Ides of March deadline for agencies formulating a plan for RIFs (reduction in force). Nobody is sure whether the NWS will be granted a public safety waiver on that end either. We're typically essential for gov't shutdowns but have never been formally considered public safety. It could amount to staff reductions, or location reductions (cancelled leases), or both.

If you have strong feelings either way, it won't hurt to contact your reps.

Did that last week. It's the first time I've called both my rep and senator.

[Layman]

On 3/2/2025 at 9:21 AM, Pennfisherman said:

I understand best and budget do not go hand and hand, with that said, what’s the “best” budget (under $200) home weather station? 

Looking to get more into tracking weather IMBY, and I feel a weather station is a must. 
 

Thanks

 

On 3/2/2025 at 10:07 AM, mreaves said:

I have an older version of this one. It’s worked well for the 3 or 5 years I’ve had it. 
 

https://ambientweather.com/ws-2902-smart-weather-station?_gl=1*moug8s*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSi1DxZHfVbYS2Hm6LVIBWjz-zS5KlWHVtIyxicSeKA9w9D2huohcRgaAsJpEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD_pbGfHP62-2k9j_eljCxFAnTzKk

 

22 hours ago, DavisStraight said:

That one looks good, thanks.

I also have that same exact unit, 4-6 years of use, works great with no issues.  Provides all the basic info and has good access online via WeatherUnderground and the Ambient Weather site.  I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even realize there was a dedicated app!  I thought the Ambient Weather app was only for installation.  I'll have to check that out.  I've been considering an upgrade to a Davis based on the screenshots I've seen here and the granular data they offer but the reality is, I'm still not at a point where I fully understand it all so is it worth it...?  We'll see!

[mreaves]

2 hours ago, Layman said:

 

 

I also have that same exact unit, 4-6 years of use, works great with no issues.  Provides all the basic info and has good access online via WeatherUnderground and the Ambient Weather site.  I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even realize there was a dedicated app!  I thought the Ambient Weather app was only for installation.  I'll have to check that out.  I've been considering an upgrade to a Davis based on the screenshots I've seen here and the granular data they offer but the reality is, I'm still not at a point where I fully understand it all so is it worth it...?  We'll see!

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ambient-weather-network/id1426025887

[Layman]

1 hour ago, mreaves said:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ambient-weather-network/id1426025887

Thank you.  I went to download the app and lo and behold...it's on my phone.  Not 100% sure when I grabbed it, but apparently I did, registered/logged on, it remembered me just now and I had completely forgotten about it and the entire process of getting and using it 

[wxsniss]

Theories? 

Easily audible so I checked FlightAware. Looks like a systematic screen.

This one ~9pm Monday March 3 took off from Hanscom:

A 2nd one ~11:30pm took off from Northeast Philly:

 

[Layman]

12 hours ago, wxsniss said:

Theories? 

Easily audible so I checked FlightAware. Looks like a systematic screen.

This one ~9pm Monday March 3 took off from Hanscom:

A 2nd one ~11:30pm took off from Northeast Philly:

 

Looks like practice to me.  Needs work.

[SouthCoastMA]

Might be a late start for pre-emergent this spring..maybe early April at this rate? Unless soil temp is one of those things that can rise rapidly with a few torch days or weeks. 

[weatherwiz]

Anyone else getting destroyed with spam calls this week?

[powderfreak]

No spam calls, just texts that say someone cannot deliver my package so please click this link to reschedule a delivery.  And that your tracking number is the same as your social security number.

USPSs.com/trackurparcelnow

[weatherwiz]

1 hour ago, powderfreak said:

No spam calls, just texts that say someone cannot deliver my package so please click this link to reschedule a delivery.  And that your tracking number is the same as your social security number.

USPSs.com/trackurparcelnow

I get those too and the ridiculous I have tolls texts. 

[DavisStraight]

4 hours ago, weatherwiz said:

I get those too and the ridiculous I have tolls texts. 

I keep getting those even though I report them and block them, please pay $6.95 for your tolls. I wonder how many people fall for that, it's only a few bucks and most people drive on a toll road now and then. How would they get your number to text you should be your first question.

[MJO812]

290 more days until winter

Let's go !

[HIPPYVALLEY]

15 hours ago, powderfreak said:

No spam calls, just texts that say someone cannot deliver my package so please click this link to reschedule a delivery.  And that your tracking number is the same as your social security number.

USPSs.com/trackurparcelnow

You better send them your SS # and your bank routing # to be safe.

[tamarack]

16 hours ago, powderfreak said:

No spam calls, just texts that say someone cannot deliver my package so please click this link to reschedule a delivery.  And that your tracking number is the same as your social security number.

USPSs.com/trackurparcelnow

Caller ID FTW.  Not 100% effective but much better than without it.

[TauntonBlizzard2013]

On 3/5/2025 at 2:47 PM, weatherwiz said:

Anyone else getting destroyed with spam calls this week?

I get legit like 5-10 a day. Most are filtered as junk so it doesn’t even ring now, but it’s usually the same robo message

[TauntonBlizzard2013]

On 2/28/2025 at 8:47 AM, DavisStraight said:

Because that doesn't affect them, they think they'll be better off with the current president.

This is the answer. 

[Baroclinic Zone]

I’ve been getting inundated with spam political texts. No more calls since I placed myself on the do no call registry.

[weatherwiz]

On 3/6/2025 at 12:09 AM, DavisStraight said:

I keep getting those even though I report them and block them, please pay $6.95 for your tolls. I wonder how many people fall for that, it's only a few bucks and most people drive on a toll road now and then. How would they get your number to text you should be your first question.

I bet a good amount of people fall for them. 

[weatherwiz]

5 hours ago, TauntonBlizzard2013 said:

I get legit like 5-10 a day. Most are filtered as junk so it doesn’t even ring now, but it’s usually the same robo message

I was getting calls all week and voice mails saying it was T-mobile. Asking if I was Brain and if not, press 1. Then later in the voice mail it had my name. This is from reading the transcript though, I didn’t listen to the message. I just ended up blocking the number. If it is T-Mobile they can email me. 

[mreaves]

Just now, weatherwiz said:

I was getting calls all week and voice mails saying it was T-mobile. Asking if I was Brain and if not, press 1. Then later in the voice mail it had my name. This is from reading the transcript though, I didn’t listen to the message. I just ended up blocking the number. If it is T-Mobile they can email me. 

Do you even use T-Mobile?