Hunter Feb 28

Hi All,

We have a winter storm brewing for Wed & Thur. The big question is how much will we get. Hunter just posted a powder alert with a map on its website ( http://echo3.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/email.htm?CID=11290590774&ch=521D799772B68EFD9E065AF11C43BC93&h=eb0a66da4cb7b4ed6be60b8f66e5cd01&ei=svO8HY8NV ) however both Albany stations predict more wet than white south of Saratoga County per below. The forecasts as usual are conflicting and anything could happen here on the mountain top. Today has been very windy and sunny with temps from 30 to now 38. Hunter has not been making any snow but the grooming has been nothing less than spectacular providing excellent surface conditions - great job Skip!

Any week-day on the mountain is better than sitting at your desk or in your car - wherever you work!

Ski ya,

Jon

WRGB:

Weather Advisories: A WINTER STORM WATCH is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday..
.
Snow will develop across the region midday Wednesday and get steadier by Wednesday evening and continue into Thursday morning..
The snow will mix with some sleet and freezing rain and perhaps a period of rain south of the Mohawk valley resulting a wide range of accumulations across the region.

WNYT:

High pressure will build in today and keep it dry, although clouds will be mixed with sunshine and it will be blustery and colder than yesterday. Highs will be in the upper 30s.

Clouds will increase tonight out ahead of the next storm and lows will be in the lower 20s.

A strong storm will approach on Wednesday. It will be dry to start the day off but snow will move in by late morning or early afternoon and it will be snowing in most places with a couple of inches on the ground for the evening commute. Highs will be in the lower to mid mid 30s.

We're still sorting out the finer details, but the thinking is that the snow will mix with sleet and eventually change to rain from about Saratoga County south tomorrow evening. Further north it will remain mainly snow, including the Adirondacks and the Greens into the overnight hours. It is in these locations where the heaviest snowfall totals are expected.

More snow or a rain-snow mix is expected on Thursday on the back side of the system. Additional accumulation is likely. Highs will me in the mid 30s.

Sunshine will come back on Friday with highs near 40, and the next storm will bring mostly rain on Saturday with highs near 50.

Hunter Feb 23

Hello Hunter fans,

Today brought early rain which ended by 9 am then sun and clouds but a strong wind with temps holding steady at 37 - 38. There was a light wet dusting of snow on top. The surface conditions were consistent loose soft granular on frozen granular turning very soft by late morning. Skiing was said to be excellent with great visibility. There were no lift lines. The weather definitely looks ugly for Friday with a mixed bag of wet tricks and colder for the weekend.

The movies have still not been posted - maybe later today but here is the link: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

Be prepared for crazy weather,

Jon

Albany WNYT forecast:

A stronger storm system will head our way tonight into tomorrow. it will be dry this evening with precipitation moving in after Midnight. Right now it looks like rain south of Albany while snow is likely from I-90 north. Most of the hills and mountains will pick up 1-3 inches of snow by sunrise tomorrow with the valleys transitioning from snow to rain and getting 1" or less. Overnight lows will be in the lower to mid 30's.

The transition to rain will continue through the morning tomorrow from south to north before the steady precipitation winds down. Highs on Friday will vary by region, with average readings around 40.

Windy and colder weather will arrive for the weekend with snow showers and highs in the low 30s on Saturday; more sunshine but still lower 30s for Sunday.

NWS Forecast:

This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind between 14 and 17 mph.

Tonight: Snow, mainly after 2am. Low around 30. West wind at 7 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday: Rain, snow, and sleet, becoming all rain after noon. High near 38. East wind 8 to 15 mph becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers before 7pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a west wind between 16 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a west wind between 17 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 16.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.

Hunter Feb 22

Hi All,

The reports from skiers have been very favorable all week with sweet soft surface conditions and inversion temps (warmer at the top than at the base) on a few days. Spring conditions have prevailed especially in the afternoons. The weather pattern for the next few days into the weekend is very hard to predict as computer models differ quite a bit. It is 48 here now and mostly cloudy with some spotty rain due soon. There is the possibility for some snow making Friday and/or Saturday nights if the temps drop enough. The hoses have not yet been disconnected from the snow guns. The crowds have been relatively light for a holiday week without any significant lift lines - actually hardly any.

NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Movies not yet posted but here is the site: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

Big sales have started at the ski shop.

Ski safely and stay thirsty my friends,

Jon

Hunter Feb 16

Hi All,

As we approach the President's Day weekend the weather is not cooperating. It is currently 35 with a light rain, some wind and flat light. The temp did drop to 21 last night but no snow was made. It looks like we may get a dusting of wet snow tonight and again Friday night.

The NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

You can still purchase tickets for the flood victims benefit concert at the Orpheum in Tannersville for Sunday night: http://www.catskillmtn.org/events/orpheum-performing-arts-center/2012-02-19-professor-louie-and-the-crowmatix-and-the-546.html

The weekend movie schedule: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

Due to a non ski related injury (non-displaced bone fracture of the right fibula head in the knee joint) that will temporarily sideline me for up to 3 weeks my reports will be very sporadic and will only advise of weather and / or news that is pertinent to the mountain. I am able to hobble around with a serious knee brace - thankfully no crutches. I suggest you save any of the above links in your "favorites" for quick reference on weather and movies.

Shit happens!

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 10

Hi All,

3 great weather days in a row - new season record! Strong sun pushed temps from 15 last night to 40 now. No wind and only some high clouds moving in as I write. The mountain was groomed to perfection except for Claire's which was bullet proof - Kudos Skip! It was easily another "9" today. It is the grooming that will make or break a ski day although they did blow some new snow last night. Starting tonight we will see a deep freeze thru at least next Wednesday with some possible snow accumulation of an inch or two, high winds and clouds. Here's the forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Weekend movies: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

It looks like Cosmic Charlie's may be open this weekend as a welcome addition to the Hunter restaurant scene. It is the old Low & Low real estate office near Numero Uno Pizza.

I strongly caution you that just under the thin granular surface and even if we get a few inches of snow the mountain is like concrete and there have been helicopters here almost every day this week taking some poor soul to Albany. Please ski carefully!!

Have a great safe weekend,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 9

Hello ski fans,

Hunter made more snow last night on the usual main trails and skiers were greeted today with lots of sun, no wind, no crowds and temps that went from 20 to 40. Those I spoke to rated the day a "9". Claire's had been groomed so that was back on the "A" list today but Racer's was a bit too slick for most. The lifts were running fine and a crew was actually filling in potholes in the parking lot with hot asphalt. Tomorrow looks to be another great day making it 3 in a row which for this season is some kind of record. The outlook for the weekend is much colder especially on Saturday night and Sunday with possible snow flurries.

NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Just a note to remind you that Monday will be Orville's 95th birthday - WOW!

Ski ya,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 8

Hi All,

With temps down to 15 last night Hunter was able to make some nice snow on HBK & the main Eside trails. There were some cloudy flat light periods but the sun is out in a hazy way and the temp is 38. There was no wind. All of the skiers I spoke to said conditions were very good to excellent on the trails that were machine groomed and / or had fresh snow. The mountain is still basically flat and fast. The one trail that was not touched and said to appear treacherous was Claire's. The Flyer was down all day yesterday due to mechanical reasons but seemed to be working fine today. The crowd is very small considering how good conditions are.

The mountain's lift engineer manager, Scott Berwick, broke his hip on Saturday skiing Racer's and is said to be recovering nicely. We all wish Scott a speedy and full recovery. Weekend movies are posted: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

More snow making in the coming nights which are forecast to be very cold should greatly enhance skiing for the weekend.

Here is the NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Ski ya around,

Jon

Hunter Jan 7

Hello Hunter fans,

Sorry not to be able to give you trail conditions but I can tell you it was and is a miserable damp, windy, cloudy, cold flat light day. Temps have been between 32 and 37 and I was glad to stay in and watch the NYGiants parade festivities.

It will drop into the middle teens tonight at which time snow making will commence again. Tomorrow will be cloudy and quite cold but Thurs & Friday are looking to be sunny and very favorable for winter ski conditions.

NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Ski ya,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 6

Hi All,

It was a "Giant" evening and those who stayed over to ski after watching the game were rewarded with an amazing day - another "10". Temps in the low 20's preserved the snow and allowed for excellent grooming. It is now 50 (60 on the deck) with nothing but blue sky and sun with a light breeze. The mountain hosted the chef's race on Madison (party at Chateau Bellevue) and was otherwise quite empty. Although I cannot ski for a few days due to a calf injury, those lucky enough to be on the hill today had a great time with all trails in great spring-like shape. The weather looks good for tomorrow, light snow showers expected Wed then great for the rest of the week. Here is the NWS 7 day forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Come enjoy it while it lasts!

Ski ya around,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 3

Hi All,

The groundhog may have seen his shadow yesterday but there were no shadows here as a low dense cloud cover made for some very flat light and a damp nasty day. Today however, was a great sunny cold day to ski on some very nice snow that was blown last night. Hunter is the king of recovery! The temps here were between 19 and 34 today with a cloudless sky. All the main trails were nice but Racer's and Claire's were slick and if you didn't have sharp edges you were in trouble. The whole mountain was flat and fast. Cliff and Eside had some wet gun spots but otherwise okay. There was enough of a crowd to open "F" today.

There is no snow in the forecast but the nights will be cold enough to make snow per the 7 day NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

The weekend movie link: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

Enjoy your weekend!

Jon

Hunter Feb 1

Hello all,

Did anyone say mush? The temp never got below 48 last night and stands at 52 now. It started raining just as the lift opened at 9 am. There have been periods of sun but mostly clouds, passing showers and a light wind. Needless to say I did not ski today but we can all imagine that the surface conditions were soft at best. It will be cooler for the rest of the week but still way above average. The 7 day NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157 The next opportunity for snow making would be Thursday night.

The next rock concert (a fund raiser for the flood victims) at The Orpheum in Tannersville is Sunday night Feb 19th - ticket info: http://www.catskillmtn.org/events/orpheum-performing-arts-center/2012-02-19-professor-louie-and-the-crowmatix-and-the-546.html The headline group, Prof Louie.... is very good - saw them at the inaugural concert a few weeks back.

The mountain will be hosting college races this weekend so expect some trail closures.

Pray for snow,

Jon