NEK Update 9/18/14

[From_the_NEK]

The leaves are changing fast here in the NEK this year. Across the higher elevations (e.g. Newark) the color is already beginning to pop with an estimated 30+% color change. The lower valleys Lyndon/St J escaped the worst of the frost earlier in the week and are showing an estimated 10% change.

The process is moving fast and it is not going to slow down with a freeze in the mid-20's predicted for tonight.

I'm always surprised at how much change can occur overnight and last night was no exception here in the Passumpsic River valley. There was a good deal more color this morning on the drive to work than there was yesterday afternoon on the drive home. Granted the light rain and clouds this morning tend to make any color pop out more than the sunshine that we had yesterday.

I estimate we are running a bit ahead of average this year. Hopefully it doesn't go so fast that we peak before the weekend of the September 27th. I'd like a nice long color season

[ctyanky]

NEK: thanks for the detailed report. I've been saying earlier than normal for a couple of weeks now. The cold nights (unusually cool for my area) warm, sunny days and drier weather are the perfect ingredients for the swift change of color and great foliage.

Just by comparing how things are moving along in southern New England, I can tell things are advancing quickly. I would say we are at this time, about a week ahead of schedule. We are getting a frost here tomorrow and that doesn't usually occur for a couple of weeks. So many variables! It looks like an outstanding season barring any prolonged periods of rain as in 2012. Enjoy your gorgeous part of the state!

[exgem54]

sounds great--We'll be arriving in Vermont late on Sept 21st, Killington for 2 days, then Pittsburg,NH for 2 days, then to Stowe--can't wait, we have our cameras and Jimapco Map with us, plus we're bringing the laptop, so we can post while we're there

[wxman1976]

Great reports from the NEK! Can't wait to see pictures soon! I remember several years the NEK peaked in late September, esp around Sheffield heights, with gorgeous views from Darling Hill. To add to the great reports we have a great weather outlook the next couple of weeks to boot!
A pattern change is in the offering but not after a couple of relatively cold periods. The first is centered on tonight (fri pm/sat am) with a hard frost/freeze in many places across the North and frost in interior Southern New England. A rapid warmup ensues with Sunday pm temps well into the 70s north and low 80s south. A second cold period will be centered around Tue and Wed of next week, with similarly cold weather. At this point the deep moisture and storminess seem to stay offshore as the front doesn't hang up until it's East of Cape Cod. Beyond that period in week two, a warm dry pattern looks to ensue, for the remainder of the month into the start of October. So not only should we see a beautiful display, the weather looks to cooperate to let the leaves stay on the trees for awhile. Looks like a gorgeous fall weather-wise and color-wise!

[exgem54]

ahhh Darling Hill Rd--we'll hit that again for sure

[wxman1976]

Slight correction to my above post. I did mean tonight, It should read Thur pm/Fri Am. Tomorrow night also looks cold but should be 5-10 degrees milder. Also of Note NWS Burlington VT Has a freeze warning Most of NE Vermont with a frost advisory elsewhere, with the one exception is along the Shore of Lake Champlain, but even there it will be very close to 32. Most of NEK should be in the mid 20s.

[admin]

Here is a video showing the foliage color near Island Pond on the 18th.

http://vimeo.com/106543347

[Utah Baker]

Oh my, between Tim's video and Charles' beautiful photos of years past, gives me a feeling I can only describe as being "homesick". I'm so missing not coming this year! But keep the info coming and lots and lots of pictures, those who are lucky enough to go, have a ball! Sounds like it's going to be a stunner!

[admin]

What a beautiful video Tim. What is the process you are using to capture these aerial pictures?
Also,it is great to see the early colors. Thanks for posting!
Carol

Hi:
I am flying a Phantom 2 Quadcopter with a Go Pro HD camera set to record 2K video at 30fps. Then, I fix things up in Final Cut Pro X including the use of an HDR plug in and Fisheye Fixer. Had a lot of trouble with this one because the sun kept going behind the clouds and it makes a big difference to the color pick up.

[exgem54]

well done Tim--its easy to see the colors are starting and they definitely look good--We'll be in the Island Pond area in a few days--can't wait

[wxman1976]

This mornings lows from NWS Burlington VT. 21 in Saranac Lake NY. BRRRRR.
column 1 precip column 2 high temp column 3 low temp column 4 current temp column 5 weather columns 6/7 snow

...ADDISON COUNTY...
SOUTH LINCOLN
SALISBURY

...CALEDONIA COUNTY...
ST JOHNSBURY MUSEUM 0.01 56 29 30
SUTTON 0.00 51 27 30 CLEAR 0.0 0
SUTTON T 52 24 24 CLEAR 0.0 0
WALDEN 0.07 46 23 24 CLEAR 0.0 0

...CHITTENDEN COUNTY...
BURLINGTON INTL ARP T 56 32 35
ESSEX JUNCTION

...ESSEX COUNTY VT...
AVERILL 0.00 50 25 37 CLEAR 0.0 0
EAST HAVEN
GILMAN 0.00
ISLAND POND
ISLAND POND AIRPORT

...FRANKLIN COUNTY VT...
ENOSBURG FALLS 2 0.00 58 29 29 PTLY CLOUDY 0.0 0

...LAMOILLE COUNTY...
JEFFERSONVILLE 0.02 29 CLEAR 0.0 0
JOHNSON 2 N T 51 28 29 CLEAR
MORRISVILLE ARPT 0.00 54 30 31

...ORANGE COUNTY...
CHELSEA
CORINTH 0.00 60 29 29 CLEAR 0.0 0
UNION VILLAGE DAM 0.00 64 30 30 CLEAR 0.0 0

...ORLEANS COUNTY...
NEWPORT 0.00 54 28 29 CLEAR 0.0 0

...RUTLAND COUNTY...
RUTLAND 0.00 60 32 33 PTLY CLOUDY
RUTLAND AIRPORT 0.00 61 34 36
...WASHINGTON COUNTY...
KNAPP STATE ARPT 0.00 55 30 31
MONTPELIER 0.00 58 34 35 CLOUDY
NORTHFIELD 0.00 57 24 28
PLAINFIELD 0.00 56 25 28
WAITSFIELD 0.01 55 28 29 CLEAR 0.0 0
WORCESTER 0.01 53 29 29 FOG OR ICE F

...WINDSOR COUNTY...
BETHEL 0.00 64 34 34
N HARTLAND RES 0.00 62 33 33 FOG
N SPRINGFIELD RES 0.00 67 33 33
SPRINGFIELD ARPT 0.00 67 32 33
WOODSTOCK 0.00 65 31 34 LIGHT FOG

...NEW YORK...
...CLINTON COUNTY...
ELLENBURG DEPOT
PLATTSBURGH INTL AI T 55 30 37

...ESSEX COUNTY NY...
NEWCOMB

...FRANKLIN COUNTY NY...
TUPPER LAKE SUNMNT 0.05 51 27 28 FOG 0.0 0
SARANAC LAKE ARPT 0.00 51 21 27
MALONE 0.00 55 31 31

...ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY...
CANTON
GOUVERNEUR 0.05 58 29 29 FOG
MASSENA AIRPORT 0.00 56 28 33
OGDENSBURG
$$