Summer (Unofficially) Here! Don't Go In The Water - Yet

Lake Champlain in the summer of 2016. People who want to  re-create
this nice scene over the Memorial Day weekend should remember
the lake is still very cold. Be safe! 

When I got up this Saturday morning and looked up the National Weather Service website like I always do first thing, I noted most of northern New England, including all of Vermont was covered by a Special Weather Statement.

"What fresh hell is this?," I wondered. Often, a special weather statement from the NWS means they're worried about some impending storm but haven't quite pulled the trigger on watches or warnings yet.

Or it means there's some sort of localized hazard which would mean getting out and driving on the roads will be a nightmare.    

However, today's special weather statement was none of those things. It is, however, a very wise warning to those venturing out to enjoy the first unofficial weekend of summer.  Basically it said that the weekend would be fairly nice, and temperatures would warm up into the 70s.

That means people would be tempted to go to the lake, maybe brave a dip, or even more likely go out for an excursion on their boats.   The special weather statement told us to beware, though:

"The cold water temperatures can quickly cause hypothermia to anyone immersed in the water. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, when the temperatures are below 50 degrees, the chance of immediate incapacitation due to cold shock is extremely high. 

Anyone on small boats, canoes or kayaks should plan accordingly if recreating this weekend, and use extreme caution to avoid the threat. Paddle smart from the start and always wear your life jacket."

Especially on larger lakes, like Champlain, winds will gust to 25 mph at times, increasing the risk of overturning small boats.

Not everybody will heed the warnings: For example, last Sunday, I saw some people swimming in frigid Lake Bomoseen as thunder rumbled in the distance. A double whammy of dangerously cold water and lightning strikes. Lovely.

Another big event this weekend for the Green Mountain State is the Vermont City Marathon and Relay. Conditions will be great for spectators, but maybe a bit much for some of the runners.

Rain tonight will largely have ended by the time the race starts a little after 7 a.m. Sunday. Skies will at least partially clear during the race, so the sun's heat will be a factor. So will the humidity. Dewpoints will be in the upper 50s to low 60s. It won't be oppressive, but runners will feel it.

Temperatures at the start of the race will probably be near 60 degrees and reach the mid-70s by early afternoon. There is a remote chance of a shower or thunderstorm, so there's a slight risk lightning could be a hazard. But that chance is pretty low.

At least this year will be better than 2016, when extreme heat and humidity injured several runners and forced organizers to suspend the marathon just under four hours into it.