Summer Solstice – The Longest Day of the Year – Conditions Update

Conditions Update

We have now run a little over half the dogs on Bear Ranch owned by Cindy and Breck Howard. The wind has remained very light for the first half of the 9th series and is usually coming out of the north or west although sometimes varying. Most of the work has been strong on this land quad, but the judges remain firmly in charge and there have been four handles in the first 13 dogs. The dogs are averaging 10-11 minutes a dog.

Recently the sun has broken out of the clouds and warmed things up. People are taking off some of their layers of coats and sweaters as the temperature warmed up to a pleasant 60 degrees. Today is the longest day of the year, being June 21, the summer solstice. The Mission Valley being quite far north in the continental U.S. enjoys over 16 hours of daylight at this time of year.

Mark Atwater of UpClose Photo enjoys the sunshine!!

8th Series - Conditions

We are back at the Libertyville Test Site for the second day of the Eighth Series. The temperature is 45 degrees with a light wind wind of 6 mph out of the south. The skies are overcast and the low light provides good visibility.

There will be a re-bird after dog #20

Weather - Starting the 8th Series

As we are heading to the 8th Series here is a few pictures of our current conditions. We are surrounded by rain, sleet and snow!

We are currently in the mid 50's with winds around 6 mph coming from the southwest.

Quick Weather Up Date

The wind has died down from the gusts of 35 mph not to just a light breeze. And the lighting is perfect!

Weather - Rain Showers

And now it rains....

It is looking like we are going to have the rain showers for the rest of the evening. The temps are starting to cool down a bit, but the wind gust still seem to be an issue.

Condition Report - Stong Winds - 6th Series

The wind is strong and the work is tough. We have had 6 dogs run since our gun change and out of  those 6 dogs, 3 of them picked up and 1 handled.

The majority of the recent pick ups are coming from the dogs hunting an area where they already picked up a bird. The wind is blowing the scent cove and also making it VERY hard to handle.

Weather Conditions - 6th Series

High thin clouds are letting more sun through. It feels warmer more quickly in the mountain sun. But winds are picking up as predicted and will become more westerly. It will be easy to keep track of as it sets the tall grass in mesmerizing undulating waves.

Weather Conditions - 6th Series

Here is a look at our weather for our fifth day in Ronan, Montana for the 2019 NARC.

Our high temp is supposed to 65 degrees with a low of 47 with mostly sunny skies.

The problem for today is looking to be the wind. Currently the winds are WSW about 13 mph.

These incredible winds are going to be extremely challenging for the Judges, Contestants and our Gunners.

Weather - Conditions - 4th Series

At 10:40 am the lighting has become much brighter. The clouds have cleared for the day. Our temps are supposed to climb to near 80 degrees, but the breeze will provide some relief.

The winds have picked up and are shifting more out of the west. This appears to be making it easier to pick up scent coming off the birds.

Gun Change - Conditions

Our gun change happened after dog 1 "Croc" completed his run at 1:03 pm and took about 7 minutes.

We have a sunny 75 degree day with the a north wind. However, it feels really HOT when you are sitting in the sun.

Our next dog is #2 "Buzz" and he is in the blind ready to go.

Conditions - 2nd & 3rd Series

As our day continues the wind has calmed down to 5 mph. We are warming up nicely to 75 degrees with the humidity at 39%.

The gun change will happen after every 30 dogs today.

Conditions - 2nd & 3rd Series

Our afternoon is starting with the temps at 68 degrees with 54% humidity. The winds are 5 - 10 mph out of the north. The wind continues to be at the handlers back.

Conditions Report**

It is currently about 53 degrees as we begin Series 2 and 3 Water and Land Blind.
The wind is NNE at about 3 mph.

**Gun Change**

5:22 pm to 5:28 pm

74 degrees
Wind is North 8-10 mph

Conditions Report **

We are getting close to the half way point, and this is what we have currently:

75 degrees
Wind out of the North at 5mph

8 Handles
1 Pick-up

The flyer continues to eat up memory as the dogs cover quite a bit of ground before they find this bird. The hill continues to pull the dogs down and to the right going away from the right hand mark. There is also a long narrow strip of cover that also pushes them right away from the mark.

Conditions Report **

Temperatures have climbed to 74 degrees. Partly cloudy, winds at 4mph. The lighting is much brighter. Winds are shifting more out of the west but continue to be light. Work does not seem to have been affected by the changes but the sun will get dogs hotter more quickly...

Conditions Change

All breeze has stopped and there is now full sun shine.

Conditions Report

Winds remain steady but are shifting more SW. Breaks in the clouds have periods of bright sun that seem to warm the air up quickly. Neither factors seem to have an impact on the dog work.