Winter Doldrums

THURSDAY. I awoke to news that Iran is prepared for a standoff with the West over the nuclear issue, and a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Albuquerque. Honestly, I'm not sure which is worse. Winter can't be over too soon for this warm-weather creature.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Winter Storm Watch... which is in effect from late tonight through Saturday morning.

Snow totals of 4 to 8 inches of snow can be expected across the northwest mountains region with up to about a foot possible in the high terrain there. Current indications are that the middle Rio Grande Valley and northwest plateau have the potential of picking up anywhere from 2 or 3 inches minimum to around 8 inches maximum. The storm center aloft is still in its relatively early developmental stage and is just beginning to gather a deeper subtropical moisture tap into its circulation. How much moisture it eventually gathers and its exact track and strength across the Desert Southwest are subject to slight or moderate changes... which will impact by at least a few inches just how much snow will fall.

The bulk of the snow is likely to accumulate between late morning Friday and very early Saturday.

Remember... a Winter Storm Watch means conditions are favorable for a hazardous winter weather event in and close to the watch area. This is a potentially dangerous winter storm situation.

In my humble opinion, here in Albuquerque (or anyplace for that matter) the only thing snow is good for is photo ops. At the very least, tomorrow's inevitable school closings ("A snowflake! Quick!! Close the schools!!) will at least give us time to take down the Christmas tree, though the thought of puzzling the neighbors by keeping it up until Easter amuses me.

The dogs will enjoy the snow. I, on the other hand, count the days until this wintry nonsense draws to a close. I regret that I didn't borrow Dad's snow stick when I left Florida. Who knew we'd have measurable snow in a city where snow is rare. Our yardstick already has a little notch at 22", representing snowfall thus far in our front yard.

But there is a silver lining. All this snow is going a long way toward mitigating the drought, and business is booming for the New Mexican ski industry. However, the birds remain confused.