Weather rambling — Fickle weather in Dec. 1888

Cold weather was setting in at Glens Falls, The Morning Star reported on Dec. 15, 1888.

“The mercury in the thermometer tumbled down one or two extra steps yesterday, and last evening heavy overcoats and mufflers were necessary constituents for an outdoor wardrobe.”

On Dec. 13, the temperature at Glens Falls was 7 degrees at 6 a.m. and 5 degrees at midnight.

At daybreak Dec. 14, it was 2 degrees at South Glens Falls.

Conklingville received four inches of snow on Dec. 8.

The Morning Star reported on Dec. 17 that the Hudson River, above the dam, was frozen solid enough for ice skating.

“With a few more evenings with mercury as low as last week, the ice gatherers may commence operations.”

At Johnsburg, it was as if Mother Nature had second thoughts and decided not to give the town a White Christmas after all.

“The rain on Monday nearly devoured our old stock of snow, but on Tuesday we received a fresh supply of four inches,” the Johnsburg correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Dec. 21.

At Granville, “Our winter weather thus far has presented a variety of phases. Frist, very cold, then rain and mud, and now a severe snow storm at this time,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Dec. 21.

There was ample snow, yet, at the peak of Gore Mountain.

“Everybody is anxious for sleighrides. Those who want more snow should go up on Gore Mountain. There the snow is fifteen inches, good measure.”

There would be no Christmas sleigh rides at Glens Falls.

“The weather for Christmas day was spring-like in its mildness,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 27. “For none was there occasion to complain, unless, we expect, those who, per chance, might have had their plans for a sleigh ride.”

The unseasonable weather put at least one Glens Falls resident in the mood for gardening.

“On Thursday, a Glen Street gardener planted early peas in the open ground. How’s that for Dec. 27?”

“A few days ago a dozen stoves couldn’t keep our sanctum warm. Today we write with windows and doors open, and vigorously wield a fan. Ideal weather for physicians and graveyards. The has also been a heavy fall of rain,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Dec. 28. “The recent cold snap has been followed by warmer weather, and sleighing is no longer enjoyed. The thaw began Tuesday, and rain fell that night, and the following morning there was as much mud as there was formerly snow.”

“We have warm weather and mud once more,” the Johnsburg correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Dec. 31.

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