Good evening everyone…
We’ve reached that time of the year where the daily updates are coming to an end. As we will discuss, one model is trying to spin up and April Fools Day Snowstorm, like 1997, which is always possible, but still a week out. If any snow/ice threats for late season become clearer threats to travel… and/or a shot in the arm to the riding remaining up north of the Thruway… we will update as necessary. For now this is what we see in the weather, then some parting thoughts for the season.
Quiet weather will continue through Thursday. Our next chance of precipitation will come late Thursday into Friday as a frontal boundary becomes elongated across the state… look for rain showers to accompany this front. Now… models show low pressure forming over Missouri early Saturday and “riding” this front toward our area by Sunday. The first wave of rain showers ends early Friday… but rain will move back into the state Saturday. Now, as this low slides across northwest PA and central NY, it will cause the front to drag southward, and pull in colder air from the north and west. There’s a lot of uncertainty here… but enough cold air may wrap in to change the rain over to snow… with widespread snow showers over the North Country.
Of even less certainty is the outlook for next week. The European model(s) seem to imply a snowfall coming next week, as it spins up low pressure along the coast early Monday. Some of the European ensemble model members agree with this …. it’s a questionable call, and again, there’s no confidence in this solution at all.
Here is a look at the snowfall totals for the season. The Adirondacks and the Chautauqua Ridge were our winners, with a small focus of heavier snows over the higher terrain of Cortland, Madison, and Chenango counties, with triple digit snowfall totals for the season.
Despite ups and downs in the weather, overall, it has been another good season! Snowfall on the Tug and especially in the Adirondacks was excellent most of the time and still is now.
Many areas of the state did get some riding in, especially second week of February until recently… and the riding the last week of February into the first week of March was some of the best in years for many clubs.
Hats off to the volunteers and those who give hundreds if not thousands of hours per year to make this sport safer, more fun and a boost to the economy.
As for riding for those who still want to take a spin or two before next December… there are still some good spots left in the Adirondacks and on the Tug Hill for another few days, then pickings get more selective as time goes by into April. If you are looking to do any riding the rest of this season, we suggest you check out Valley Snow Travelers, Barnes Corners Snow Pals, Redfield, Southern Tug Hill, Turin Ridge Riders and Brantingham (Remember… no Tug to ADK connection)… In the Adirondacks remember Town of Webb and Inlet close this Sunday… no riding on these trails after March 31st. Long Lake, Newcomb, Indian Lake, DRAG of Speculator, Pleasant Riders, Stratford, Town of Moorehouse, Town of Lake Pleasant, Trackside and the Ohio Ridge Riders are your best bets in the ADKs. As snow melts into April, we’ll eventually get down to Moose River Plains, Perkins Clearing, Powley Road and Speculator Tree Farm for the die hards in a week or two.
Our hearts are also heavy after at least 20 fatalities this season on the trails and many more injuries. Our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and those who suffered loss on the trails this season.
Thank you to our long time sponsors like Excell Motorsports, Performance Premixes and Curve Industries whom have been there since the beginning, all our partner businesses whom help make this possible… And to all of you whom have placed faith and trust in our free service to snowmobilers, travelers and all winter weather enthusiasts. A lot of choices out there and we are happy to have you on board with us. Season eight for us gets started in 8 months. Be good this spring, summer and fall. We won’t be totally silent during this time… but we’ll check in if it’s something worth you knowing about.
Until next time… From Dave Gleasman and Nick Amorim, keep it shiny side up!
