Saturday December 2nd, 2006

The Weather Rock Report
Saturday December 2nd 2006
Location: The Townsend Cabin Front Yard- Townsend, MT



The morning started overcast and cool at 11.7 degrees. Reaching a high of 19 degrees and as of this writing the temperature is 12.4.

It stayed overcast all day with very light snow flurries throughout the day.

Last yesterday afternoon I heard a large crashing sound though the bushes. This continued on for several minutes and I must admit my first impression of it being a large animal was sadly incorrect. It was a giant fowl.



Now you see during my stay on this property I have seen black bears, deer, beavers and many other animals large and small but I have never before seen real true large wild turkey. The beast finally showed itself yet still managed to stay just far enough away to prevent me from acquiring a decent photograph of it.

I was hoping to acquire a better photograph today but the wild flow refused to show itself. Hence I will show the only evidence I have. I do apologize for the picture but with me being a rock it is somewhat limiting of my ability to move around quickly and take photographs. (This usually does not bother me except in extreme cases such as this.)

And even more vexing just as the sun had managed to finish it’s job for the day the turkey’s harem showed up. I counted 3 more before they disappeared for the night.



No luck also on the reported ‘snowball fight’ two of the family members, the father figure and the young lady left very early this morning and did not return until late tonight.

The moon is full and is shining though the clouds giving a very interesting ‘backlit’ effect.

I will post my next report tomorrow.



The Weather Rock

Friday December 1st 2006

The Weather Rock Report
Friday December 1st 2006
Location: The Townsend Cabin Front Yard- Townsend, MT

The day started overcast and gray and managed to stay that way throughout the day. Temperature of 22.1 in the morning reaching a high of 28.6 at 1 PM and at this writing the temperature is 18.5.

Very very light and fine snow flurries have fallen at scattered intervals throughout the day, just trace amounts however.

The snow is melting slightly (even though the temperature has not risen over 29 degrees since the first snowfall 6 days ago.) Perhaps the cause of some of the lost snow was the wind gusts yesterday.

The snow is not as dry as it was before. It is now damp enough to be termed ‘perfect snowball weather’ by the family living in the cabin. I have no idea what this means but as I am stationed here and in the cold voices carry quite clearly I am sure I will ‘dig to the bottom’ of this mystery. (pardon the pun, the holiday season is making me feel more festive and merry.)

It is now the first of December and it appears a new wild animal have moved into the area. I will post my report tomorrow with more information as it comes.



The Weather Rock

Thursday November 30th 2006

The Weather Rock Report
Thursday November 30th 2006
Location: The Townsend Cabin Front Yard- Townsend, MT

The morning started quite warm, 24 degrees yet it was tempered by a medium wind that was blowing.
The wind would arrive in gusts that would blow the snow violently from the trees into a whirling white vapor (almost resembling smoke, how fine it was) that would dance and swirl before falling to the ground. Very dramatic.
Reached a high of 29 at noon and the owners of the cabin braved the wind and trooped outside to take part in something they called ‘sledding’ Taking a heavy round ‘sled’ they would walk up a hill then throw themselves down it hoping (I am assuming) to reach a high speed while falling down the hill.
It somewhat resembles them trying to reproduce the feeling of being in a a rockslide. I don’t understand why they take joy in this- I have been involved in a real one and I assure you it isn’t pleasant.
They then would turn and go back up the hill and throw themselves down again. After a half hour they finally abandoned their sport citing ‘sheer exhaustion’
The wind stopped at 3 PM and was replaced by light snow flurries that lasted until 5 PM leaving around a half inch of new snow.
As of this writing the temperature is once again 24 degrees.
I will post my next report tomorrow.

The Weather Rock

Wednesday November 29th 2006

The Weather Rock Report

Wednesday November 29th 2006

Location: The Cabin Front Yard- Townsend, MT



Not much weather to report today. This morning started sunny and stayed that way throughout the day. The temperature was –5 in the morning, then it warmed up though the day to 5.7 degrees and as of this writing the temperature is now –0.7

The ‘heat wave’ as it may be called did cause some melting of snow from the roof of the cabin beside where I am stationed. I fine it fascinating how snow can melt at 5 degrees. The roof must absorb the sunlight and warn the snow enough to cause it to drip off the roof. Yet once it started to fall it froze almost instantly causing unique ice formations on the bushes adjacent.

I have included a larger picture showing better my surroundings. You may inform my superiors that though bushes surround me, I was placed so that they do not actually block any weather coming my way. (They do prove to be quite aesthetically pleasing however.)

As always, I will post my next report tomorrow.



The Weather Rock

Tuesday November 28th, 2006

The Weather Rock Report
Tuesday November 27th, 2006
Location: The Cabin Front Yard- Townsend, MT

Snowed most of last night then scattered snow throughout the day clearing up around 4 pm. Estimated snowfall of 4 total inches.
The morning started cold at –14 (yes minus 14) reached a high at noon of 0.2 and at the time of the writing the temperature had dropped down to –10.6 and is still dropping.
The snow is very dry and makes a sort of squeaky and crunchy sound when the owners braved the chill and came outside today. Very similar to sound made while walking on a rubber raft.
(I know about rafting during my brief summer spent working for a whitewater rafting company. Thankfully that is over now- it is very hard to just stay in place while a raft carrying 20 humans comes barreling at you. I am enjoying this current post much more.)
Picture acquired at 3:30 PM.
There is now a semi full moon reflecting off the snow, illuminating the view and casting a blue-ish light over everything.
I will post my next report tomorrow.

The Weather Rock

Monday November 27, 2006

The Weather Rock Report
Monday November 27, 2006
Location: The Cabin Front Yard- Townsend, MT

After enjoying a long and uneventful fall the weather has finally turned into what some would call a ‘proper’ winter.
The weather today was cold, 1 inch of soft dry fluffy snow had fallen the day before, then there was scattered snow throughout the day and as of this writing the snow is now coming down quite heavily.
No wind and the temperature is 2.5 degrees
I am torn between missing the warmth and enjoying the insulation of the snow.
The owners of the land I stay on have returned and were last seen cavorting though the snow and talking loudly about ‘Christmas’ and a guest that seems to be coming soon.
I will post my next report tomorrow.

The Weather Rock