Winter… in the US, in the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere (specifically the State of Colorado, in the USA), we encounter winter from roughly November through late April, with a rare snowfall in early April. You can look up the scientific reasons for winter, like the tilt of the Earth’s axis away from the direct rays of the Sun (for more information, see: Winter | Definition, Dates, & Facts | Britannica).
In Greek Mythology (see: Persephone :: Queen of the Underworld (greekmythology.com)), winter is the time that Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter (goddess of agriculture), returns to the underworld and her husband Hades (her uncle, by the way – oh those Greeks). During her roughly six months in the underworld, Persephone’s mother, Demeter, mourns and nothing grows – Autumn/Winter. For the six months when Persephone is with Demeter, the Earth’s alive and plants are growing, and life thrives – Spring/Summer. A nice explanation of our seasons.
Back to Northern Colorado, or “NoCo” as it is sometimes called….
Since moving here about 18 months ago, from the Denver area (about an hour south), I am now experiencing my second winter here. A bit lower in altitude and further from the foothills than in Denver. Before moving here, I had assumed that the seasons were a bit more severe on the plains. Turns out I was wrong, thankfully. It seems that the Greeley area is in a sort of “doughnut hole” when it comes to severe weather. In fact, our weather is often less severe than the weather that hits the Denver Metro Area, where I used to live.
As I write the post (end of January), we are having multiple days of 60 degrees plus. Even
though we are having our share of cold weather, there has been very little precipitation. *** Spoke too soon. Between writing this blog and publishing it, we received 14” of snow over one evening and night.*** Pretty much the same as last year.
Before any misguided zealots jump in and start pointing to man-made climate change – there is considerable difference between year-to-year local weather patterns and 10,000 – 20,000-year changes in the Earth’s planetary climate cycles.
As an aside: All this nonsense about man-made, carbon dioxide-based climate change is scientifically proven wrong. Do your own research as I did. Stop blindly believing. Stand on your own two feet and search “Arguments against man-made climate change” on Google (or whatever search engine you use). You will find numerous scientific articles, studies, and arguments disproving man-made climate change, by highly credentialed scientists (Here’s one: There Is No Climate Emergency, Say 500 Experts in Letter to the United Nations | American Enterprise Institute - AEI).
This “false science” based on CO2 gas, which only makes up 0.04% of our atmosphere, is ridiculous and unproven. The false, computer-generated data and models which make up the basis of the “false science” are the only things that are “man-made”. Unfortunately, unscrupulous politicians, governments, and organizations are making too much money and gaining too much power to take a closer look at their “house of cards”. They are all drunk on the power and control over "We the People".
Enough with the politics… just do your own research and think about it when you feel forced into buying an EV or getting rid of your natural gas stove.
When you think about Colorado winters, I’m sure deep snow, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and other outdoor winter activities come to mind. This year our mountains have been getting snow and skiing is good. However, where I am on the “flat land” and as you can see in these pictures, our winter has been quite mild with only one major measurable snowfall and a few dustings so far this season. This is our high plains, semi-arid climate.
Greeley’s history began with its incorporation in 1886. The town has grown quite steadily and now has approximately 130,000 residents. Before incorporating, the town of Greeley (named after Horace Greeley who came to Colorado during the 1859 Pikes Peak Gold Rush) began as the Union Colony of Colorado in 1869, an experimental farming community of about 500 people. For more history go to: Greeley Museums | City of Greeley Museums and Greeley, Colorado - Wikipedia and A Brief History Of Greeley, Colorado (milehighcoatings.com).
Currently, the Colorado ski areas are measuring 3-to-4 foot mid-mountain bases, so good skiing. In addition, weather reports are forecasting moderate-to-heavy snowfall over the next 3-4 weeks. The forecasts are suggesting the snowfall is due to the El Nino pattern in the Pacific Ocean. El Nino and La Nina are two of the Pacific Ocean weather patterns that have a direct effect on Colorado snowfall and our winter weather.
With 60-degree weather in Greeley and along the Front Range, and good snow in the Colorado mountains, you have your choice of activities during this winter. From skiing to fishing, our mild winter gives you many options. I friend of mine played nine holes of golf this past weekend. Your choice…
So, visit Colorado in the winter… and remember, winter is not just for skiing.
