Winter

Nor’Easters, El Niño and a Warm Atlantic Ocean

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One thing not getting a lot of coverage this year is how warm the Atlantic Ocean still is going into December. But a weather video on YouTube mentions this.

While the winter is likely going to be dominated by mild conditions due to El Niño in the Pacific Ocean, and right now the polar jet stream is well north of us and for the most part the subtropical jet stream is below us. That means dry, fairly stable conditions. But one thing to watch is when the jet stream inevitably gets wavier as winter progresses, and we get one of those classic arctic blasts as the polar jet stream dips north. All that energy embedded in the warm Atlantic Ocean could make for one hell of a Nor’Easter.

That is all. Do watch this video.

Ten degrees winter camping threshold ❄

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I find my winter camping gear is good down to roughly about ten degrees. Colder then that things get potentially dicey.

  • My stacks of sleeping bags are comfortable down to around ten degrees, any colder and my feet and hands start to feel cold at night.
  • It seems like my truck’s starting battery and load from thick oil increases at below ten degrees, leading to somewhat sluggish starting after a night of opening and closing doors.
  • My propane heater throws off less heat below ten degrees, the camp stove cooks slower and the lantern is dimmer due to propane and condensate starting to conjeal in the lines and regulators.
  • House / Accessory Battery voltages drop leading to them tripping out due to under voltage much more quickly.
  • Much greater risk of the propane heater or stove malfunctioning due to conjealed lines from condensate and jelled propane, plugging up regulators and propane lines.

I’ve camped a few degrees below ten degrees but it’s not pleasant and leads to more headaches then it’s often worth. But above ten degrees generally things are smooth sailing with the gear and set up I have.