#MEwx Mild temps, rain and how to pick gloves or mittens in cold weather

Good morning Augusta

A direct, real-time feed from my personal weather station is available for you here.

Today it’s going to be cloudy with a chance for rain showers this morning, then rain showers likely this afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to

30 mph this afternoon.

Tonight we’ll have partly cloudy this evening, then clearing. Lows in the mid 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

The readings from my weather instruments are:

Our outdoor temperature is 38.3°F, the humidity is 98%, the Dew Point is 38.3°F and our wind chill is 38.8°F.

The wind direction is Northwest between 0.1 MPH and 0.3 MPH.  

The Relative pressure is 29.61, the Absolute pressure is 29.41 and falling with a weather graphic indicating rain.

Visibility is 8.0 Miles with rain and low hanging cloud cover.

We received 0.05 inches of rain/snow melt here over the past 24 hours, and it’s still coming down out there.

How do you pick whether to wear gloves or mittens in cold weather?

Keeping your hands warm during the winter isn’t as simple as it was when your grandparents were young.

The article below is informative and was copied from:

https://www.rei.com › learn › snow-gloves-and-mittens--how-to-choose

How to Choose Snow Gloves and Mittens

Choosing the right pair of gloves or mittens for snow sports can be the difference between a fun-filled, comfortable outing and a miserable trip with frigid

fingers.

When shopping for gloves and mittens, first consider your activity. Most downhill ski and snowboard gloves and mittens are made with synthetic exteriors,

often nylon, combined with a waterproof, breathable barrier and some type of insulation to keep your hands warm in cold, wet conditions. Abrasion-resistant

patches on the fingers, knuckles and palms improve durability for activities like skiing and snowboarding.

In contrast, cross-country skiing is a highly aerobic activity where you’re likely to work up a sweat. Cross-country gloves are flexible, breathable and

allow moisture from sweat to escape more easily.

Once you know how you will be using your gloves or mittens, consider such features as insulation, waterproofness, dexterity and touch-screen compatibility.

Gloves Versus Mittens

Gloves, with their individual fingers, offer better dexterity than mittens and are ideal for activities where you need to frequently handle gear, adjust

boot buckles and zip zippers. Lightweight gloves are a great choice for aerobic activities, such as cross-country skiing, where your body is generating

lots of heat.

Mittens tend to be warmer than gloves because your fingers generate more heat when they’re not separated from each other by fabric, as they are with gloves.

They aren’t as dexterous as gloves but they can still serve you well when you’re holding ski poles, carving down the mountain on a snowboard or heading

out for a hike in frigid temperatures.

Lobster mittens

Lobster: Some manufacturers make a blend of a glove and mitten, joining your index and middle fingers together and your ring and pinky fingers together.

These are a great solution if you’ve found gloves aren’t warm enough and mittens feel too clumsy.

 

3-in-1: Many manufacturers offer 3-in-1 gloves and mittens, which consist of a shell glove or mitten and a removable liner glove or mitten. These 3-in-1

systems are versatile, allowing you to combine the shell and liner for maximum warmth, or wear either one individually in warmer weather. Liner gloves

offer excellent dexterity for handling gear without exposing your skin to the cold. You can purchase a 3-in-1 glove or mitten system as a unit or assemble

your own by buying separate shells and liners.

Insulation in Gloves and Mittens

Two basic insulation types are commonly used in gloves and mittens: down and synthetic.

Down is an exceptional insulator and is prized for being light, easy to compress, long lasting and breathable. Down is more expensive than synthetic, but

it maintains its loft longer than synthetic, making it a good value over time. Because down loses its ability to insulate well when it gets wet, it is

not used in gloves and mittens as frequently as synthetic insulation. When it is used, it’s typically protected by a waterproof shell that helps keep it

dry. Down gloves and mittens are an excellent choice for skiing and snowboarding in cold, dry climates.

Synthetic insulation is less expensive than down, it insulates when wet and dries a lot faster. It is a good choice for use while skiing, snowboarding

and playing in the snow, especially in damp climates. The downsides of synthetic insulation are that it offers a little less warmth for its weight, it’s

a bit bulkier than down and its insulating power gets reduced each time it is compressed. Most downhill ski, cross-country ski and snowboard gloves use

synthetic insulation.

Waterproofness in Gloves and Mittens

Waterproof mittens

Most gloves and mittens designed for downhill skiing and snowboarding include a waterproof, breathable barrier to prevent moisture from snow and rain from

getting in while allowing water vapor from sweat to escape. The barrier can be in the form of a membrane that is laminated to the fabric, an insert that

is placed between the outer shell and the insulation or a coating that is applied to the fabric.

Gore-Tex® technology is frequently used in ski and snowboard gloves and mittens because of the high level of waterproof, breathable protection it offers,

however many glove makers offer their own proprietary technology, such as Marmot MemBrain® and The North Face HyVent®, that are also very effective and

often less expensive. Waterproof gloves are also 100% windproof.

Tip: Even the most expensive waterproof gloves and mittens can get wet, usually from the inside out. Take care to keep snow from getting inside your gloves

or mittens, and also try to limit sweating with them on. If your hands are dry, they’ll be more likely to stay warm.

Heated Gloves and Mittens

Featuring battery-powered heating systems, heated gloves and mittens boost warmth on the coldest winter days. They typically include rechargeable lithium-ion

batteries and can operate on different levels of heat output. The batteries and heating technology make the gloves more expensive, heavier and slightly

bulkier than non-heated gloves, but those tradeoffs can be worth it if other gloves don’t work for you. Expect to spend $200 or more on heated gloves and

mittens.

Gloves and Mittens with Touch-Screen Compatibility

Touch-screen compatible gloves

Today, many manufacturers are making gloves and mittens with touch-screen-compatible fingers and palms, allowing you to operate your smartphone or tablet

without exposing your skin to the cold. Touch-screen compatibility is typically found in lightweight to mid-weight gloves that offer enough dexterity to

control your smartphone. If you plan to use your phone frequently while outside, look for gloves with full finger and palm compatibility.

Gloves and Mittens: Size and Fit

A proper fit is key to your hands staying warm and comfortable, and for maintaining your dexterity. Gloves and mittens that are too big won’t keep your

hands warm and can make it difficult to hold ski poles, operate zippers and do other tasks. When they’re too small, they will restrict movement and likely

leave skin exposed at your wrists.

A properly fitting glove or mitten will have about ¼ inch of material at the end of your outstretched fingers. When you make a fist, the fit should not

be too tight or restrictive. Consult the manufacturer’s sizing chart for hand measurements if you can’t try on the glove or mitten.

Additional Features of Gloves and Mittens

Leather palms provide excellent grip and stand up to abrasion better than synthetic palms.

Long gauntlet cuffs extend over the sleeves of your jacket and cinch closed to keep snow and cold air from getting in.

Wrist cinches snug the gloves or mittens at the wrists for a comfortable, secure fit on your hands.

Zippered pockets, often on the back of the hand, are sized to fit disposable hand warmer packets and can double as vents on warmer days.

 

Thumb wipes: Many gloves designed for winter feature soft material on the thumbs specifically for wiping your nose when it begins to drip.

Leashes, or wrist cords, secure your gloves or mittens to your wrists so you won’t drop one from the chairlift on your way up the mountain.