Unseasonably Warm Winter Gets Icy Reception From Maine Snowmobilers
In many parts of the country, homeowners are grateful for this more mild winter. After all, moderate weather is typically good news for areas of your home that might otherwise be damaged by wind, ice, and snow. While you should still have roof inspections performed once or twice a year, you likely won’t need to spend a lot on upkeep. But in the state of Maine, snowmobilers are not so thrilled with the higher temperatures that keep ruining their recreational plans.
February and March are historically solid snowmobiling months in Maine, and there is no shortage of trails for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. In the Forks, they were overjoyed when February storms sprinkled fresh powder on the ground. But subsequently, temperatures rose and rain started to fall, thus causing both ice and bare spots on trails.
Russel Walters, president of an area trail destination called Northern Outdoors, noted, “There was such a lot of water that it completely eroded the trail underneath it … You wouldn’t want to hit that with your snowmobile.”
The phenomenon isn’t restricted to just one area, either. Over the last few weeks alone, the state experienced 10 to 20 inches of snow melt.
“We thought we were all set for a great season all through March,” said Walters. “And then Mother Nature dealt us a bit of a cruel blow.”
Walters is doing his part to combat the unfavorable conditions. He warns guests to reduce their speed and be especially cautious around water and through the woods. Walters has also made sure to cover his bases with trail groomers, who try to stay on top of ice formation and spread snow out over the trails.
In many parts of the world, snow isn’t falling as readily as it once did, and the increasing temperatures guarantee that it won’t stay around for nearly as long. A recent study conducted in the Swiss Alps predicts that snow may mostly disappear from the popular ski destination by the year 2100. But while winter sports aficionados may be frustrated, others may secretly be glad about not having to suffer through an endless snowy season.
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