The State of The Winter in Pennsylvania is bipolar. It is warm, it is cold, it's warm, it's cold, it's warm. Phil says six more weeks of winter and hopefully he is correct. After an October that produced two snowfalls, it appeared that PA was poised for a great winter. That bubble burst in November and early December. It was warm and very wet. It has been wet since August and the cold spells have not been able to stay for more than a few days. Usually, by Christmas Day, most lakes and ponds in the northern half of PA are frozen. Not this year, not even close. They did freeze in January. There was a little snow in December but it did not stay long. January had some short cold days and snow fell around mid-month. There was some good snow near Lake Erie and across the northern half of PA. It lasted about four days. This year the folks near Lake Erie had the most skiing so far, but it is really not close to a normal year. The bipolar nature of this winter is due to a lack of blocking in the North Atlantic and zonal flow off of the Pacific. In short the cold air is locked up across the Canadian border.

So February and March are our last hopes for redemptive snows this winter. The outlook is not that great. However, the pattern could change and there are fifty-eight days until April. Enough time for some snow to fall and make us all happy. In the mean time, there is roller skiing, hiking, running, and planning a vacation to Canada or to the high country out in the Rockies. A year like this makes one truly appreciate each flake that falls. So when the next snowfall arrives, pounce on it, it may be the best one of the winter. H. P.

Evidence that snow existed in PA January 2012 near Kylertown


On the ice at Black Moshannon State Park Sunday January, 29,2012