Motorbuys | Local Jobs |
 Homes |
Rental Property |
Coupons |
Garage Sales|
Classifieds | Worship | ShopNow
|
August 8, 2008, 2:24 pm
|
Advertising |
Welcome to the new chaskaherald.com, the home page of the Chaska Herald newspaper. Let us know what you think of the changes to the site.
Got a news tip? Email us, or call us at (952) 448-2650
|
Search |
User loginAdvertisingLatest pollWhat's your favorite sport in the Summer Olympics?Email Edition
Type in your email address and click "Subscribe" to receive our E-mail Edition in your inbox.
Add our RSS feed to your favorite service.
|
Spring is coming!
March 7, 2008 - 7:41am — Greg Boe
I have received my first packets of garden seeds in the mail already - a sure sign that spring will be here soon. Have you seen any signs of spring yet in your neighborhood?
|
Upcoming events
 BlogrollBlog fan? If you like to read blogs, this is our list of local blogs we read.
Buzz 4 Business
Latest Story Posts
Latest Blog Posts
Hot Jobs
Who's new
Who's onlineThere are currently 2 users and 115 guests online.
Online users
Special PublicationsLooking for some more great reads? Check out the many special publications and features produced by this newspaper and our parent company, Southwest Newspapers.
They're in PDF format, so you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them. • Carver Country Citizen Apr2008.pdf |
Advertising |
50 warm degrees on Tuesday!!...
Back to page top50 warm degrees on Tuesday!! Our official high temperature in Chaska reached a fantastic 50 degrees on Tuesday, and it felt great! The sound of running water was heard everywhere. Spring is on its way - our light blanket of snow is definately thinning!
Wow. 50 degrees. When was...
Back to page topWow. 50 degrees. When was the last date it reached that temp?
The last time we saw 50...
Back to page topThe last time we saw 50 degrees was back on November 13th, 2007, when our high temperature reached a whopping 55 degrees!
So it was the warmest it has...
Back to page topSo it was the warmest it has been in four months.
That's definitely a sign of spring.
50 degrees will -- hopefully...
Back to page top50 degrees will -- hopefully -- keep up from that 60+ inches of snow you so desperately wanted, Greg. All I know is, after I neared home from my hour+ walk last night, I saw a welcome sight in my driveway and couldn't help but dance and sing myself the rest of the way home: We be grillin'!
Signs of spring March 10: An...
Back to page topSigns of spring
March 10: An inordinate number of joggers on Chaska streets.
March 11: Temps hit 50 (for first time since Nov. 13, 2007, according to local weather aficionado Greg Boe)
March 12: Belle Plaine Herald comes out with its annual green St. Patrick’s Day cover, celebrating all things Irish in the city, including St. Patrick’s Day grand marshals and Miss Shamrock candidates.
March 13: Unlocked the office door and had a man ride up on a bicycle with his subscription. Once inside, had to turn down the front office radiator.
Mark, any and all of those...
Back to page topMark, any and all of those are sure signs of spring!
I have noticed that people are spending more time outside, walking upright once again (rather than being hunched over as they walk against the cold wind), with smiles upon their faces.
March 13: Donned the spring...
Back to page topMarch 13: Donned the spring jacket at noon.
Washed the car and drove...
Back to page topWashed the car and drove with the windows partially rolled down.
Would have vacuumed out the car, too, if any of the stupid machines worked. Grr.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)
Man, I have a ton of spring...
Back to page topMan, I have a ton of spring projects for my yard. And yard work is my peaceful getaway, my time to relax even though it entails a little grunt work.
Yes yard work is hard work,...
Back to page topYes yard work is hard work, but it is therapeutic isn't it?
March 17: Winter relapse....
Back to page topMarch 17: Winter relapse.
Good snowball-making snow,...
Back to page topGood snowball-making snow, though.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)
Snow - here today, hopefully...
Back to page topSnow - here today, hopefully gone tommorrow.
With the fresh snowfall...
Back to page topWith the fresh snowfall hiding the ice, one of my dogs slid down the hill in my backyard when he "assumed the position" this morning. The split-rail fence kept him from dropping over the edge of the terraced yard (and it's a 5-foot drop to the next level).
Spring is officially here...
Back to page topSpring is officially here (at least on the calendar). So can we quit this winter/snow nonsense? I'm ready to ditch the coat/gloves/scarves, etc.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)
March 19: Two co-workers...
Back to page topMarch 19: Two co-workers were wearing short-sleeve shirts.
March 20: Witnessed first person wearing shorts. Decided to wear spring coat without a winter coat backup.
March 20: Spotted the...
Back to page topMarch 20: Spotted the Jonathan Association annual neighborhood garage sale banner on the Jonathan silo (set for April 26).
I saw a guy wearing shorts...
Back to page topI saw a guy wearing shorts on Monday (which you may recall was not even a nice day) He looked stupid. He was also wearing white socks and sandals! Where are the fashion police when you need them?
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)
March 21: Winter jacket back...
Back to page topMarch 21: Winter jacket back out. Signs of spring covered up by several inches of snow.
8.5" of snowfall officially...
Back to page top8.5" of snowfall officially in Chaska (as of 1:00 p.m. Friday) from this (hopefully) last-gasp of winter!
Wow! Was that our biggest...
Back to page topWow! Was that our biggest snowfall of the season?
Yes, 8.5 inches was the...
Back to page topYes, 8.5 inches was the largest single-storm snowfall of the year in Chaska this season. In December, we did have a couple of 6+ snowfall events...but other than that our precipitation has been pretty light. Let's hope that 'drought' doesn't continue into spring and summer!
If the precipitation comes...
Back to page topIf the precipitation comes in the form of rain, that would be just fine. Snow ... not so much.
Still a far cry from your...
Back to page topStill a far cry from your original prediction but, if we've got to have snow, I wish it was all like this. I love getting out and running my dogs in this heavy, wet snow.
Also on the upside -- we still have received far less snow than my former home in Indiana, where people warned me not to move to Minnesota "because they get so much snow there!"
If I didn't think they could...
Back to page topIf I didn't think they could survive anything, I would *almost* feel bad for tossing that box elder bug back outside last night. Almost.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)
My 2-year-old daughter Ling...
Back to page topMy 2-year-old daughter Ling and I took advantage of the snow for one last snowman.
See: http://geocities.com/sfflhq/IMG_6972.JPG
March snow is the best for...
Back to page topMarch snow is the best for making a snowman, a snowfort, or snowballs!! (I love the photo, by the way, that is very cute!)
March 24: City crews are...
Back to page topMarch 24: City crews are removing Christmas lights in downtown Chaska.
March 25: Spotted Pauly's...
Back to page topMarch 25: Spotted Pauly's American Grill's annual call for sand volleyball league teams.
March 26: Received another...
Back to page topMarch 26: Received another Chaska Herald change of address form for one of our city's snowbirds. Welcome back all you tan seniors. I hope you improved your golf game over the winter.
March 27: Public Works crews...
Back to page topMarch 27: Public Works crews in front of Herald office, filling potholes on Second/Pine Street.
Photo: www.chaskaherald.com/news/activities/hooray-chaska-public-works-3979
March 28: Woke to the sound...
Back to page topMarch 28: Woke to the sound of my alarm, and a Canada goose flying outside my window.
Yay! You correctly referred...
Back to page topYay! You correctly referred to that fowl as a "Canada goose" and not a "Canadian goose!" That is one of my biggest pet peeves!
It only took a few calls...
Back to page topIt only took a few calls from fanatic Minnesota birders early in my journalism career to get that one right. (Don't ever, EVER, misspell a bird's name, or you will hear about it!)
What if there is more than...
Back to page topWhat if there is more than one goose?
Is it Canada geese or Canadian geese?
Canadian geese sounds better.
March 27th I went outside...
Back to page topMarch 27th I went outside without a coat and played catch and sidewalk chalk with my 3-year-old. Nothing says spring like a little chalk art on the driveway.
March 29: Spotted a couple...
Back to page topMarch 29: Spotted a couple robins.
March 31: Twins season opener (under several inches of snow).
Let's hope the snow is gone by the Chaska Cubs opener on May 1.
A Heavy Snow Warning has...
Back to page topA Heavy Snow Warning has been issued for Chaska through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning - with up to 8" of snow expected for our area today. The good news is that warmer temperatures are expected to return later this week - so don't give up hope for Spring just yet!
Whatever happened to March...
Back to page topWhatever happened to March coming "in like a lion and out like a lamb"? This is not very lamb-like.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)
If I recall, March roared in...
Back to page topIf I recall, March roared in like a lion as well -- and I don't remember the old saying going: "In like a lion and out like a lion." This is definitely a lamb in lion's clothing; in other words, methinks the lion is lyin'.
On a springtime note, I did see a cardinal flitting about in the snow this morning.
April 3: Street sweeper...
Back to page topApril 3: Street sweeper spotted on downtown Chaska streets.
Thursday was nice - 57...
Back to page topThursday was nice - 57 degrees - and I expect Friday will be even nicer, with a shot at 60! Some nice "cleansing" rain is on-tap for Saturday night and Sunday. That will start to green things up in a hurry!
Friday was nicer - 61...
Back to page topFriday was nicer - 61 degrees! Saturday should also be warm (62?), with some rain later in the day...and maybe even a little thunder! And, speaking of thunder, did anyone hear a clap or two of thunder on Friday afternoon? That sure sounded nice, after the long winter we've just been through!
Next week will be slightly cooler (highs around 50), with a chance of precipitation (rain....and maybe a little snow) at any time throughout the week.
65 wonderful degrees on...
Back to page top65 wonderful degrees on Saturday...how about that! I suspect Sunday will be a bit cooler....and wetter. Just remember, those April showers are a necessary part of spring too.
I spent all day Saturday at a Skywarn workshop, in a room filled with 100 fellow weather enthusiasts, discussing the finer points of severe weather. We talked about forecasting, storm chasing, tornado spotting, and the newest technological tools available for the improved forecasting of severe weather. Boy, I'll tell you what...all that time spent talking about storms has me in the mood for summer!! Meanwhile, spring continues it’s slow march forward...
Snowflakes are falling...
Back to page topSnowflakes are falling outside my window this morning....but don't worry, spring is still on it's way! We received 0.35" of rain on Sunday, which helped to melt most of our remaining piles of dirty snow. We are looking at a wet period this week, with a few snow flakes mixed in as well from time to time. However, I have started my vegetable seeds inside already....so I am anxiously waiting for spring!
Officially, we received 1/2...
Back to page topOfficially, we received 1/2 inches of snow today in Chaska! Fortunately it didn't stay around long...
Don't look now, but here...
Back to page topDon't look now, but here comes another round of winter weather! The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for our area, with upwards of 6" of snow expected between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. The good news is: it will all melt soon, as temperatures will likely rebound into the 60's within a few days. Meanwhile, think of it as one more chance to enjoy a little quality snowman time with the kids...
Winter won't end -- or so it...
Back to page topWinter won't end -- or so it seems.
So Greg, it appears that all of the snow decided to fall in the later part of winter/early spring.
What is the month-by-month break-down of snow since November?
And, so I don't sound like too much of a pessimist, here's one more sign of spring:
April 11: Noted open water along the shore of Firemen's Lake.
As Maxwell Smart would have...
Back to page topAs Maxwell Smart would have said, "missed it by that much!" With our temperatures at or just above freezing for most of the last few days, the bulk of our precipitation fell as rain rather than snow. We received 1.19" of moisture in two days, which would likely have fallen as over 12" of snow had our temperatures been just 10 degrees colder. A good portion of our winter has been a case of "missed it by that much!" with several large snowstorms sliding by just to the south and east of the Twin Cities.
Mark, so far this winter, our month-by-month snowfall breakdown looks like this:
November: 0.2"
December: 22.1"
January: 2.5"
February: 6.3"
March: 2.6"
April (so far): 6.7"
May: ??!!
We are at 40.4" for the season - a seemingly insurmountable distance from my predicted 64" total. Oh well, as a good Vikings fan would always say, "Just wait 'till next year!"