Deep Winter I

December 29th, 2025 through January 4th, 2026

Lake Lucerne
Last week was the start of the second sub-season of winter; Deep Winter. So far, as Deep Winters go, this one has not been that bad. There was snow, wind, and sub-zero cold, but it wasn't as bone chillingly bad as it has been in the past. Historically, we get 3 to 4 weeks of this stuff before the last sub-season (Thaw), so there's still time for Deep Winter to get all unspeakably snowy and horrendously cold, but for now...huzzah!
Lake Lucerne
The week kicked off with almost 10 inches of Classic Snow. For those unfamiliar with northern Wisconsin snow nomenclature, Classic Snow is exactly in the middle of the 25 different types of snow. Classic Snow is 12 times lighter than Flurries and 12 times more survivable than Wintery Doom! It took a while to dig out.
Lake Lucerne
The snow didn't really end until after the new year. The tiny post Classic Snow events added up to about 2 inches.
Lake Lucerne
After the sky finally cleared, the nights grew considerably brighter.
Lake Lucerne
Road conditions have been better. Numbered highways usually get treated to keep them more drivable, but an unfortunate rain before the storm seemed to have washed it off. Icy patches are more the norm this Deep Winter.
Lake Lucerne
Lake conditions couldn't be better for snowmobiles.
Lake Lucerne
The condition of Knott Lane is pretty much what you'd expect.
Lake Lucerne
By the end of the week, the snow was sintered down to a strong, stain and wear resistant, squeeky ice.
Lake Lucerne
We contend that "Frosty the Glowman," who is anchoring the north end of the lane, is both a safety feature marking the west side of the road and a festive seasonal decoration.
Lake Lucerne
Other festive seasonal decorations include the remains of the weeks ago ice storm in the tree tops.
Lake Lucerne
Teeth have come early to the bar this year.
Lake Lucerne
In just a few more feet, the bar could end up with a complete, thin, pointy wall of cold.
Lake Lucerne
With all the cold, it's a good time to check on propane levels.
Lake Lucerne
The last event of the week was to get an ice thickness check. There's just under a foot of ice with a slush layer sandwiched between the airy top inch and the bottom 10 inches.
Lake Lucerne
With the start of Deep Winter alongside the arrival of the Second Horsemen of the Snowpocalypse (January), the last vestige of Summer 2025 has faded out. It was a good summer overflowing with fulfilled promises and points; 83,032 points. That's a solid B in the preliminary grading. The final grade should be published in a week or so. To memorialize the summer and to celebrate the start of Deep Winter, many, many snowmobiles tracked up the north end's lake snow. With two weeks until the 34th Annual Lake Lucerne Bottle Rocket War the forecast for additional snow and cold is more welcome than you'd think.


-Nemo's surveying fort sites and gathering ordnance.