Temperatures have been plunging here in the Mile High city and the flakes have been flying.
Now, in Colorado we're known for temperature extremes and quick shifts in weather, but this is one of the crazier ones I can remember.
We've had an unusually warm fall, and on Sunday it was around 70 degrees here (21C). I spent the morning outside cleaning up the garden, raking leaves and turning them into the soil. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and actually got a bit too warm.
Yesterday around 10am it was in the low 60's (around 17C) and then in a matter of about 2 hours it plunged down to about 20 degrees (-7C)! That's a 40 degree drop over just a few hours! Holy Moly!
But the fun doesn't stop there folks. The temps aren't projected to get above freezing until next week, and for the next two nights they're saying we're gonna have a low around 0 or slightly below (-18C).
So yes... the furnace has finally been turned on! But I've gotta say that I'm really glad I've been working on "being cool" for a while now, because it's making this quick change less horrible than it otherwise might be. At the moment the thermostat is set to 62 (17C) and I don't actually feel cold, just a bit cool. I did allow myself to put a sweater on though!
Anyhow, I hope the squirrel family living in my tree is doin' OK. I've been fattening them up for a while - which is partially because I'm a softie for anything with fur, and partially because the cats LOVE squirrel-o-vision!
Anyhow, I gave them a bunch of extra food today, so hopefully they'll survive it.
So how 'bout you? How's the weather where you live?
That's one reason I feed the birds and squirrels occasionally--entertainment for the cats. We actually have a lot of good food in our yard that grows naturally for the critters, but I like to concentrate it closer to our windows sometimes for our critter-vision.
ReplyDeleteWe are a couple of days behind you in the polar vortex effects. However, our weather won't be as extreme because we are at a lower elevation.
At first the squirrels were a bit apprehensive about coming up on the deck, but they figured out pretty quickly that the cats couldn't get through the door. At this point I think they enjoy taunting them. They'll get right up next to the glass. Smoky will watch and watch... twitching and clucking until he can't take it anymore and then tries to launch his body through the glass. It's pretty funny actually. Jasper is much more excited by the birds though.
DeleteFirst, thank you for converting all your temperatures into foreign for us, it made it so much easier to read! Secondly, sheesh! Those really are end-of-the-world temperature drops, aren't they? Here, it remains grey, dull and damp, though we did have a few hours of sunshine on Thursday, so I went to the beach to maximize incoming light with reflections from the sea (and to harvest seaweed on the low spring tide). The forecast for the next few days includes, cloud, showers, and weather-warning rain, variously. If we're really lucky, we may see the sun again briefly on Saturday. We had a few frosty nights, but it's got milder again - around 45-50F (7-10C), day and night. It's definitely cold enough to light the fire, but it's not really cold.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that you're feeding squirrels, but then I remembered that they're the locals in your country. Round here, grey squirrels are considered vermin and hated for driving out the native red squirrels. Almost no-one feeds them deliberately. Just this afternoon, my husband was driving a minibus full of children (under 10s) home from a school trip when one of them spotted a squirrel in a field. Another immediately shouted out, "Shoot the bugger!" This is farming country.
Well, I know some people around here hate the squirrels. I have one friend who calls them "rats with fluffy tails." But I just figure that they have as much right to be here as we do, and they are just sooo darned cute - it's their little hands that get me. And you know... this wasn't my purpose in feeding them, but ever since I started they've completely left the garden alone. I guess sunflower seeds, peanuts and corn are more attractive than tomatoes! Perhaps I'll grow some sunflowers for them next year.
DeleteIt was so warm today that everyone was out in the park. We're having return vents installed this week and I am very glad we'll be better prepared for the freeze when it comes. I don't mind four seasons but super extreme lows are tough. I miss my under-the-covers kitty boy for sure!
ReplyDeleteSmoky loves to crawl under the covers with me, which is great fun until he starts kneading... with his little claws that some negligent mommy never remembers to keep clipped! Then he wants out, then under, then out... OY! So now he gets to sleep in his own little bed with a microwaved heating disk to keep him warm.
DeleteI heard about your extreme temperature changes! We will also be having chilly temps, but nowhere near what you are experiencing. I think my hubby welcomes the cold and snow--it means I bake more goodies. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Rachel's comments about squirrels. We neither encourage nor discourage having them around. However, growing up, my dad actively discouraged them for many years. Too many experiences with them chewing apart wiring, etc., for him to be taken in by their cuteness.
Ha! My dad used to have a peach tree and he was in constant battle with the squirrels. They'd sit up at the top of the tree, take one bit out of each peach and then toss it on the ground. I think my dad dug up the peach tree just to save himself the frustration!
DeleteMy dad engineered some sort of tease-the-squirrel device. It was a wooden disc affixed to a base. The disc had spokes coming off the sides (like clock hands) and he would put dried ears of corn on the spokes. He mounted this contraption on a tree. The squirrels wanted to eat the corn but when they would try to take a nibble by standing on the spokes (the only place they could try to stand to be close enough to the corn), the whole wheel would move and they would have to choose between getting a bite but falling off or watching the food longingly. This amused dad to no end. Cheap entertainment. Maybe that explains my somewhat warped view of life?
DeleteOh my, well, that does sound entertaining! One year I spent an entire summer building various squirrel deterrent devices around my tomato plants - to no avail. They'd inevitably find a way through, grab a tomato, take one bite and move on. But you know, apparently corn, birdseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts are much more attractive to squirrels than tomatoes because this year they left the garden completely alone!
DeleteIt was 26 F this morning when I drove my daughters to the park and ride. That is sooooo cold for us. And now I'm thinking, I'm really glad we have kept furnace use to a minimum this fall, as the next natural gas bill won't be so horrible.
ReplyDeleteAs cold as it is, though, it's very beautiful today, the air is so clear, the trees are turning and everything looks peaceful. And people seemed to be in a really good mood yesterday, when I was running errands. Having some sunshine brings out the better moods around here.
Gosh, 26 sounds downright balmy! It was 14 below zero last night! But at least the sun came out today. I don't think I'd do well in the Pacific northwest - I get so gloomy when the sun doesn't come out for a day or two! So I guess if it's a choice between cold and clouds, I'll take cold every time!
DeleteIn my local park grey squirrels will come and sit on your lap in return for a few sunflower seeds. I love them. When I was battling depression they helped keep me sane.
ReplyDeleteOh... that is so sweet! One of the squirrels in my backyard is getting very tame. He'll let me get within a few feet of him. But I've heard stories about them climbing legs and even running into the house, so I don't think I'll encourage him too much!
DeleteWe've been feeling it here too! It went from 76 on Monday to a high of 45 tomorrow. We had a 20 degree temperature drop from 6-7am on Tuesday! I'm definitely not ready for this. My hubby said we are supposed to have a milder winter, but with our below freezing temps tonight, I'm not crossing my fingers. Now if we can just convince our boys they need to wear more than undies lol!
ReplyDeleteStay warm & I'm pulling for those squirrels!
Ha! I finally decided that I need to switch to the winter pajamas with long legs and sleeves. If they get cold enough, the convincing will probably get easier!
DeleteYes, we've had a rude awakening here with the weather also. This morning it's snowing and I don't remember snow this early in November. I don't think we are as cold as you though.
ReplyDeleteI love your kitty watching the squirrels, that is what my two lads do. Simon has been watching the leaves fall....probably in training for when the squirrel and bird show starts. We also put a feeder near the house to keep the kitties entertained.
I will admit I also love to watch the bird/squirrel show and I get the added bonus of the kitty show :)
Marieann
This is actually really late for our first snow - we've usually had about 6 inches by this point. But it's unusual to have such cold temps this early - especially after such a luxuriously warm fall! A rude awakening indeed!
DeleteThat's really extreme. Living for years in the snow belt I know all about snow and extreme changes but not quite like that. I know the vortex is headed my way but can't tell you when. It seems the weather channel can't figure it out either as our forecast changes by the hour too. Yesterday afternoon the forecast for snow wasn't until Saturday, then last night it changed to today with temperatures below freezing. Reading your post I wanted to check just how cold it was supposed to be and now while still having snow forecast the temperatures are all above freezing whereas yesterday they were below. I guess this is going to be another of those winters where I'm just going to wait and see by looking out the windows for the results.
ReplyDeleteSo getting adjusted to the cold ahead of winter seems to have helped you it seems. I'm glad as you will save quite a bit by being able to keep your thermostat so low. Do you know how long this vortex is expected to last?
I have no idea how long this is gonna last - at least another 3-4 days I think. But honestly, every time I look up it gets worse! Last night got down to 14 below zero!
DeleteI need to find a better solution for the windows - especially the garden level ones in the basement. I've tried the plastic thing which worked really well - but Smoky shredded it all. So then I tried thicker plastic, and it took him a year or so to figure out how to shred it - the problem with it was that it was cloudy so he couldn't see through it and he kinda goes nuts if he can't see out. Plexiglass is soooo expensive, but it seems like there's got to be some sort of clear plastic sheeting that I could find somewhere - like the stuff they use in cheap picture frames or something. It can't be that expensive, I mean they use it to make salad boxes out of - if I could just find the stuff in sheets. Got any ideas?
Our temperature swing wasn't quite that abrupt, but still pretty sudden. I was on the bike (bundled up) yesterday morning, and it was odd for it to be so cold while many of the trees still had leaves. We usually don't see these temperatures until January!
ReplyDeleteOy! Can't even imagine getting on a bike in these temperatures. It didn't get out of the single digits yesterday! My hands just go numb so quickly when you factor in the wind chill created by being on a bike. Have you ever tried those neoprene hand shields that attach to the hoods?
DeleteI'm hoping it will warm up enough to ride next week - I think I saw some 40's in the forecast. Time to crack out the neoprene booties and insulated tights!
I try not to share our weather because, well, it's a jerk move. But since you asked: highs in the seventies and no precipitation. Scooter weather!
ReplyDeleteMy team is in Minnesota and these talks of single digits in November have us seriously considering taking MSP off our "maybe we'll move there" list.
Oof... Minnesota sounds cold... just the word sounds cold in fact! Gotta admit that I'm looking forward to tomorrow - a high of 27 is predicted... crack out the bikinis and sunscreen! Seriously, we're not used to this sort of prolonged cold snap - I'm ready for the sun to come back!
DeleteGoodness, that's cold - especially this early!
ReplyDeleteI'm on the coast, so thankfully the ocean usually lessens those big temperature swings. Our last day of pleasant weather was Tuesday (light sweater, no coat while outside), followed by our first snow of the season on Thursday. It's supposed to back in the 50s for a high on Monday. Good times, haha!
Depending on which forecast you believe, we might see 50's again by the end of next week.... Gotta say I'm tiring of the below zero stuff!
DeleteHahaha! LOVE the pic of the cat tuned in to 'Squirrel-o-vision' !!!
ReplyDeleteHours of fun! And the little birdies are even more exciting... they bring out the clucking and twitching!
DeleteI love your sense of humor, but when will I learn not to read your posts while drinking coffee? The photo of the cat in the green sweater almost made me choke with laughter! I share your pain, and hope we get the predicted heat wave (30s! 40s!) this week.
ReplyDeleteHa! That cat looks positively thrilled about his sweater doesn't he?
DeleteAnyhow, today felt fabulously luxurious with the sunshine - can't believe I thought 31 felt warm!