Never believe the weather predictions

So yesterday (Saturday), ominous weather predictions started surfacing for our region:

Saturday has the potential to be an active thunderstorm day. Isolated strong to severe storms will be possible after 1PM. Some of these storms could produce large hail and strong wind gusts. A second line of strong thunderstorms will be possible between 5PM and 9 PM. Wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph, brief downpours, and small hail will be possible with this second line of storms. Areas of blowing dust will be possible near recently worked fields which could reduce visibility in some areas.

We decided it would be prudent to spend the day battening down hatches. We picked up tools left lying around, secured loose objects, and even parked the car and log splitter under the livestock awning (in case of heavy hail).

The day started out sunny and warm, with the daffodils in full bloom.

Our young orchard trees are just starting to bloom, too, and I was hoping the weather wouldn't be so severe as to strip the blossoms, which would mean less fruit.

Once the battening down was done, I took advantage of the balmy conditions to get a lot of work done in the garden, prepping the beds for planting. I kept an eye on the sky, which gradually grew more ominous.

We had a little bit of rain and a little bit of wind -- enough to kick up dust on the road and drive me in from the garden -- and that was it.

The sky cleared and the sun came out. Then the cycle started again, with ominous clouds gathering.

A little bit of wind, a little bit of rain...

...but the majority of the cell skirted to the east of us. Here the evening sun shines on trees with a dark thunderstorm as a backdrop.

As it turned out, the majority of the weather moved through during the night, though we never got any hail, thunder, or lightning. But it rained enough to leave puddles.

While we're joking we should never believe the weather predictions, of course the one time we didn't heed the warnings would be the one time all chaos would break loose, right?. So -- we'll keep listening to the weather predictors and acting accordingly.

It must be spring.

What do April hailstorms bring?

We've had a lovely, mild spring so far. Yesterday the temperatures even got up to 68F. It's no surprise the daffodils are blooming.

They're always such a beautiful splash of vibrant color.

But today the great celestial weathervane did a 180, and we're getting wind, rain, and hail.

The daffodils got hammered (this is looking through a window smeared by rain).

If April showers bring May flowers, what do April hailstorms bring? "Dead flowers?" suggested Don, watching the poor flowers get pounded.

Darcy, on the other hand, was energized by the storm cell. He dashed all around the yard, making it hard to get clear photos of him.

The daffodils will survive -- and be prettier for it. And it's better than snow!

Winter isn't done with us yet

Typical for spring, we're alternating between nice warmish days of sunshine, and days of rain and/or wind. This morning we woke up to howling wind and snow. Wheee.

The flakes were flying sideways.

The vehicle was getting plastered. If I'd waited an hour longer to take these photos, the vehicle would have been even more plastered.

We have a stack of wooden pallets leaning against a barn pole. They got plastered too.

Our brave stand of daffodils, pushing up, also got plastered, poor dears.

The neighbors across the way were simply obliterated.

And now -- a few hours later -- everything's gone and we even have periods of weak sunshine (though the wind is still blowing). If you don't like the weather, wait five hours. Or something like that.

January in April

Sorry for the blog silence lately -- it's just been a very busy week! So until I can put up something more coherent and/or interesting, take a look at what we woke up to this morning: January in April. Great big honkin' flakes of snow.

It's not going anywhere soon.

The chickens tiptoed around, acting like they've never seen the white stuff before -- despite just getting through five months of it.

The neighbors across the way were completely obliterated.

Undeniably pretty, but, well, we've just lived through five months of the stuff.

But the brave daffodils aren't lying: spring is here. The snow just hasn't heard the news yet.

April showers bring May flowers....

...but what do April blizzards bring?

Twice this month we've woken up to snow.

Not a lot of snow, it's true, but enough to remind us winter hasn't quite lost its grip yet.

I took these photos early in the morning, and when the rest of the family woke up, they couldn't believe their eyes.

Here's our April flowers, looking cold and miserable.

This bluebird doesn't look too pleased either.

The snow melted off by afternoon, and we had a few days of spring. Then yesterday winter came roaring back again in what virtually amounted to a blizzard, with 40 mph winds and heavy wet snow.

Old Major braved the wind and snow to visit the yard, then hurried (as fast as his ancient legs could carry him) back to the woodstove.

It looked like December, not April.

Our brave little patch of daffodils withstood the onslaught.

The snow melted off soon enough, but the day was bitterly cold with howling winds, and periodic showers of sleet or snow would pass through. This photo was taken in late afternoon, with a bleary sun lighting up a distant snow shower.

Then this morning... sunny and calm. Go figure.

The daffodils looked much happier.

So did the beasties. Yesterday they were all huddled under the awning or in the barn. Today they basked in the sunshine. This is Hector and Ninja, who have become great buddies.

And the robins looked perky and ready to nest.

So what do April blizzards bring? Hopefully a warm May!