All Aboard the Polar Vortex!

February 18th through 24th, 2014

Lake Lucerne
The lake area enjoyed a brief thaw this week. There was dripping from roof-cicles and patches of pavement peeking up from the packed snow that we've been driving on for months now. It was good, but not to last.
Lake Lucerne
After the thaw came snow. The creek in the northeastern corner of the lake is currently covered with a few feet of fresh snow over the few feet of old snow.
Lake Lucerne
The forts on the North end continue to stand. Unless hit by a pack of rogue snowmobiles, they will endure well into May if this cold continues.
Lake Lucerne
Pines on the side of Potawatomi Trail are about 1/3 covered with drifting snow. We don't think there's much chance they will be fully covered by peak snow.
Lake Lucerne
The newly planted Pines of Planet's are not as tall as the others. The snow is about 2/3 of the way to the top of the bigger one.
Lake Lucerne
The small Pine of Planet's, between the orange and yellow markers in this image, hasn't been seen since Friday.
Lake Lucerne
Snow on the lake ranges from a foot to a foot and a half. Under that snow is a thick layer of slush. Trudging on/in the lake is a great aerobic exercise/way to die.
Lake Lucerne
The lake ice seems to have compressed since last week. We have 18 inches of ice with the top 4 inches being an airy ice type. There is a 3 inch layer of water on top of snow cleared areas.
Lake Lucerne
With a muffled roar like that of a snow muffled starting pistol that sets off a stampede, the ice and snow that had been balanced on top of the bar's roof avalanched off. This brief thaw was welcome, even if it was a faux thaw. Faux thaw, not the words we have been hoping for since Mid-November, but that's the reality of it. Forecasters, after having consulted their computer models, ouija boards, and sheep entrails, have come out of their cubicles and caves. The proclaimation was as dreaded as it was unanimous: the Polar Vortex is coming back. With it will come the sub-zero temperatures that we have all come to know and love. To get in the proper mood, we've been reading accounts of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. It was reported that during the withdrawl back in 1812, crows froze in flight and fell from the sky. For the next few weeks, we are thinking of wearing a extra thick hat or ski helmet when leaving the house to prevent frozen bird induced head dents.


-Nemo, now with less snow on the roof.