Pearl Prepares for Winter
- Ruby B
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Although winter seems to be in full force in the Missisquoi Watershed, the solstice is right around the corner. Pearl wanted to take some time to tell her audience how to prepare for a Vermont winter and what to expect. Take out your notebook and follow along!
The official start to the season of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is December 21st at 10:03am. People often celebrate the solstice with lanterns and bonfires to welcome back the light while eating seasonal food and enjoying warm drinks with evergreen decorations around them. It is also common to gather with friends and loved ones to watch the sunrise or sunset to witness the shortest day of the year as well as setting intentions for the year to come and releasing any bourdons from the past year. It is a day meant for reflection and celebration. Be sure to share with Pearl how you are celebrating this year!
This year, the first snowfall in the watershed was on October 31st and November and December have proven to be snowy months! The earliest recorded snowfall in Vermont was September 15th, 1959 on Mount Mansfield. Late October into early November are common for the first snowfalls in the state.
This season in Vermont can be harsh at times and it is important to know to prepare yourself properly in order to survive. It is important to wear proper winter clothing such as
warm jacket, hat, gloves, scarf and boots. When driving, keep the gas tank at least half full to prevent the gas line from freezing. Also in the car, be sure to have a snow and ice scraper and keep blankets and extra food and water incase of emergency. The most important part of cars during winter is installing snow tires, driving slow, and keeping and eye on the weather when traveling or commuting. At home, seal any cracks in windows and doors that may allow cold air in, change furnace filters, ensure enough oil or wood to heat your home, and keep shovels and salt on hand to keep walk ways clear.
There is a distinct beauty and stillness that winter brings. It is a time to put on the fire and get cozy at home, baking, puzzling, crafting, catching up with movies and tv, and lots of other fun indoor activities. A favorite of Pearl's is napping. Winter is also a time to bundle up and head outside to enjoy the season. Popular activities include downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, winter walks, tubing, making snow angles and snowmen and more! For outside winter activities, Pearl especially enjoys eating snow that has been thrown in the air for her to catch. Whether you are staying in or out in the crisp air, there is so much to do and enjoy this winter season!
It seems we have had a snowy start to winter in Northern Vermont but the effects of climate change can still be seen. Climate change is leading to shorter and warmer winters as well as more intense and frequent snowstorms. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the tracking of storms as they become more unpredictable. Warmer lake water can increase evaporation, leading to a more intense lake effect snow in areas. The lake effect is a meteorological phenomenon where cold air moves over a warmer body of water and picks
up warmth and moisture, this leads to heavy precipitation, typically snow. Lake Champlain (where The Missisquoi River drains in to) has not fully frozen over since 2019, before that it froze over in 2015 and 2014. Complete freeze overs are becoming less common on the lake, occurring less than half the time in the last 30 years. This change is attributed to warmer winters in the state. On the Missisquoi, we see an abrupt increase in temperatures causing snow to melt and water levels to rise, leading to flooding. In 2025, we saw this happen in early March but it can often happen earlier and multiple times. To lessen the impact of climate change on winters, reduce home energy usage, minimize waste, choose sustainable transportation, use ecofriendly winter tools such as electric snow blowers, support green policies, and continue to educate.
Have a safe and warm winter! Take advantage of the beauty of the watershed in the winter. Don't forget to say hi if you see Pearl out and about!
