It looks like we will be ending out the month of March with moderate but rainy weather, based on the latest 8-14 day outlook.
Spring
March 20, 2019 – Next Sixteen Weeks
Today is the first day of spring. 🌷🌺🌻🌼That means longer days, warmer temperatures, and generally more enjoyable weather is just around the corner. In two weeks, the norm will be nights above freezing, and nearly 13 hours of daylight. There is much to look forward to this time of year.
| Week | Date | Dawn | Sun- rise |
Sun- set |
Dusk | Day | Avg High | Avg Low | Record Hi | Record Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Mar 20 | 6:28 am | 6:57 am | 7:07 pm | 7:35 pm | 12:10 | 46 | 27 | 78 (2012) | 2 (1967) |
| 1 | Mar 27 | 6:16 am | 6:44 am | 7:15 pm | 7:43 pm | 12:30 | 49 | 30 | 78 (1998) | 11 (1975) |
| 2 | Apr 3 | 6:04 am | 6:32 am | 7:23 pm | 7:52 pm | 12:51 | 53 | 33 | 79 (1981) | 16 (1954) |
| 3 | Apr 10 | 5:51 am | 6:20 am | 7:31 pm | 8:00 pm | 13:10 | 56 | 35 | 86 (1922) | 21 (1974) |
| 4 | Apr 17 | 5:39 am | 6:09 am | 7:39 pm | 8:09 pm | 13:30 | 59 | 38 | 91 (2002) | 21 (1971) |
| 5 | Apr 24 | 5:28 am | 5:58 am | 7:47 pm | 8:17 pm | 13:49 | 62 | 40 | 81 (2001) | 25 (1965) |
| 6 | May 1 | 5:17 am | 5:48 am | 7:55 pm | 8:26 pm | 14:07 | 65 | 43 | 86 (2001) | 28 (2008) |
| 7 | May 8 | 5:08 am | 5:39 am | 8:03 pm | 8:34 pm | 14:23 | 67 | 45 | 91 (1936) | 26 (1968) |
| 8 | May 15 | 4:59 am | 5:31 am | 8:10 pm | 8:43 pm | 14:38 | 69 | 47 | 93 (1900) | 31 (1977) |
| 9 | May 22 | 4:52 am | 5:25 am | 8:17 pm | 8:51 pm | 14:52 | 71 | 49 | 97 (1911) | 33 (2002) |
| 10 | May 29 | 4:47 am | 5:20 am | 8:24 pm | 8:58 pm | 15:03 | 73 | 51 | 93 (1931) | 34 (1956) |
| 11 | Jun 5 | 4:43 am | 5:17 am | 8:29 pm | 9:03 pm | 15:11 | 75 | 53 | 97 (1925) | 39 (1990) |
| 12 | Jun 12 | 4:41 am | 5:16 am | 8:33 pm | 9:08 pm | 15:17 | 77 | 56 | 95 (2017) | 38 (1972) |
| 13 | Jun 19 | 4:41 am | 5:16 am | 8:36 pm | 9:11 pm | 15:19 | 79 | 58 | 94 (1995) | 38 (1950) |
| 14 | Jun 26 | 4:44 am | 5:18 am | 8:37 pm | 9:12 pm | 15:18 | 81 | 59 | 99 (1952) | 39 (1979) |
| 15 | Jul 3 | 4:47 am | 5:22 am | 8:36 pm | 9:10 pm | 15:13 | 82 | 61 | 102 (1911) | 44 (1978) |
| 16 | Jul 10 | 4:53 am | 5:27 am | 8:33 pm | 9:07 pm | 15:06 | 82 | 61 | 100 (1936) | 47 (1963) |
First Big Camping Trip of the Year, A Look Back
Every year, I usually kick off the camping season with a big road trip somewhere. Here are some of the trips I’ve done in years past:
2016: Finger Lakes National Forest
April 2016 was a relatively cold month after a relatively warm winter. The first night I camped at Stony Pond in Nelson. It got down to 15 degrees.
I visited the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge then camped off of Chicken Coop Road at the Finger Lakes National Forest.
Rather cold weather up on Hector Backbone, so I strung up tarps to block the wind and built big campfires.
Rather gray as things hadn’t really greened up yet.
But in lower elevations, especially along Cayuga Lake, things where starting to bud up, like as seen with this picture of Taughannock State Park.
2015: Balsam Pond, Long Pond and Chenango County
Rained a bit during the day but camping was great Balsam Pond.
Beautiful sunrise on Balsam Pond.
Nice afternoon fishing on Whitney Point Reservior, but I didn’t get many bites.
2014: East Branch of Sacanadaga River
In 2014, I camped on the East Branch of Sacandaga River. It was a pretty night.
I used my solar panel a bit under the sunny skies to keep the accessory battery charged.
2013: Balsam Pond, Long Pond and Chenango County
In many ways my 2013 trip was similiar to my 2015 trip. I camped at Long Pond, which was very much so still frozen this year.
Hiked up the Berry Hill Firetower.
Visited Rogers Environmental Education Center.
2012: Crane Mountain and Harrisburg NY
Hike both Crane Mountain and Hadley Mountain and camped off of Harrisburg Road in the Adirondacks.
My truck didn’t have a cap then, so I camped in a tent.
It was fun camping in my then new truck.
Equinox Does Not Have Equal Day & Night Length
"Equinox" literally means "equal night", giving the impression that the night and day on the equinox are exactly the same length; 12 hours each. But this isn't entirely accurate."
Heat
Most of the winter, I keep the main gas heat in my apartment set at 50 degrees, only turning it up to 55 or 60 degrees during periods of exceptional cold to ensure pipes don’t freeze. I don’t like wasting heat, because it’s expensive and a waste of fossil fuels that are non-renewable.
I am glad that the winter heating season is almost over. Sometimes I’m cold, but I’ve never seriously thought about leaving the heat much hotter. I could have it warmer if I turned on the electric heat upstairs, but I avoid doing that as it’s the most expensive form of heating, and I don’t need it. I’ve also considered a small space heater for my desk, but I’ve never gotten one, in fear that it will increase my electric bill.
I enjoy the fresh air, even if it means more noise, followed hot and humid nights. But the breeze is nice, as is getting out and spending nights down at the park or breathing in the fresh air. I don’t do the air conditioning thing, preferring to save money by using less energy, and spending more time outdoors, enjoying cold beverages.
March 7, 2019 7:12 am Update
One month from today will be April 7th…
Average high 55 degrees.
Daylight 13 hours, Night 11 hours