Late Start to Winter

If you live in the West, you’re aware of our late start to winter this year. In fact for many of us, the first snowfall of the winter of 23/24 didn’t happen until 2024. Pedro and I are in the city, and the fewer snow days the better. But outside of town it’s important to get as much snow as possible in the mountains. For much of our region, it’s mountain snowpack that feeds the streams and aquifers all summer. To keep our landscape amazing, we need to keep some climate consistency. Cue climate awareness.

But today I am here just to show some beautiful photos. I am a sun- and heat-worshipper, but I do love the beauty of snow and ice in the winter.

I’ve got two series for you. The first is our drive home from Walla Walla through the Columbia Gorge. The second is the last couple of days at our home in a suburb of Portland, Oregon.

If you scroll through the images below, you’ll see lots of wind turbines on the mountains. The Columbia Gorge is very windy and the dry landscape can’t be used for many things. Generating wind power is a good option, I believe.

That first big push of winter weather that we saw on our drive had hit the highest elevations. Since we drove home at river level, we avoided all ice and snow. A few days after our trip, the highway was closed due to icy conditions.

Two days later, a new winter surge came through, bringing much colder temperatures, as you have either experienced or have seen in the news. It’ still upon us, after 5 days. Dropping snow and ice and snow pellets and freezing rain, all at below freezing temperatures and with high winds.

On Saturday, and on Monday, Pedro and I went for a walk from our house to the local pub, 1.75 miles away. Despite temperatures at around 15 degrees (-9 C) and winds gusting to 20 mph, it was absolutely worth it to get out of the house. Monday was brilliantly sunny, too.

Yesterday, as of about 8 am, the cold snap broke and things were quickly melting. Everyone – humans and critters – are relieved. We ran around outside in the dark, photographing the ice before it disappeared.

When the sun came up we took more photos.

Tonight there is a forecast for more freezing rain. *sigh* But it’s so beautiful for those of us who have the liberty to stay at home and stay off the roads.

We are fortunate this time around! Though many in the Portland area lost power in all this ice, we never did. Many had trees crash onto their property, their cars, and even their homes. We escaped that fate. And we are all healthy and well, as are our kids. Not everyone can say that and my love goes out to those who lost someone this week.