Rain with a Tincture of Snow

October 28th through November 3rd, 2024

Lake Lucerne
Last week started off warm. Had the sun been out, there would have been tanning. That changed. Late fall weather was delivered to the lake around mid-week with its below freezing mornings and highs in the 40s°F. It did "warm" up a bit on the weekend, sparing the shoreline an early blanket of white, but wet and chilly can feel every bit as shivery as winter.
Lake Lucerne
Before the cold pummeled Lucerne, a pair of eagles were spotted fishing the north end of the lake, the squirrels were more hyperactive than normal, and a pileated tried to empty the bar's feeder of suet.
Lake Lucerne
During the celebrated warm period, there was also some pleasant yard maintenance. Raking leaves from the beach was not one of them.
Lake Lucerne
Most sunsets last week were a little more gray than desired, but otherwise okay.
Lake Lucerne
A few sunsets were more of a hydrated harbinger than a colorful spectacle.
Lake Lucerne
The first overnight rain added up to about a half an inch.
Lake Lucerne
At the tail end of the first rain, it got cold enough to form a few flakes of doom.
Lake Lucerne
The snow thankfully ended before covering lawns, and then disappeared when hit by the sun.
Lake Lucerne
The freeze/thaw cycles and the snow has not been kind to pumpkin carving artifacts.
Lake Lucerne
The weather has also stripped the last of the leaves from the trees.
Lake Lucerne
Many of those leaves are lining the bottom of Lucerne.
Lake Lucerne
After a strong wind event, they wash upon the shoreline leaving behind a sandy, leaf free bottom.
Lake Lucerne
There are a few lifts still in the lake, but they're mostly just the reflections of pulled ones.
Lake Lucerne
There are a few piers still in. They will be pulled soon either by putting them onto the shore or by the shrinking lake level.
Lake Lucerne
With the half inch of rain before the end of the month, Lucerne lost only 2.5 inches of depth for October. The lake has dropped over a foot since the start of July. This is making the current early November torrent of rain much more welcome than it would normally be. The temperature of the water remaining in Lucerne is getting close to 50°F. With the golf course closed, more of a nip in the air, and the first snow in the books, it's time to think about your ice-in prediction. We'll try to get the annual Lake Lucerne Ice-In contest up this week. All the rainy days should help.


-Nemo's thinking some time in December.