Today is Hromnice, which is an important day for Czech weather-related folklore. It falls on the same day as Groundhog Day because both are based on the same ancient Celtic tradition. Today was sunny and clear in Prague, so we expect winter to linger.

See our site for more on Hromnice:
http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/hromnice.html

Hromnice 2012 - clear, blue sky

It is October 31, the fall colors are fading and November is upon us. The Daylight Saving Time ended today in the Czech Republic and we are now officially on our way to winter. They say it is going to be a harsh one, judging by the early arrival of ravens and, as some Czech press playfully writes, by the fact that the meteorologists in Brno-Žabovřesky are adding insulation to their building (let’s remember that the Czech government’s Green Savings Programme is in full swing and styrofoam-clad buildings can be spotted quite easily these days).

We like to bring you pictures and here are a few taken recently by Jeff.

Happy Halloween!

Ravens at the Pardubice Train Station

Fall in the Havlíčkovy sady park in Prague

Two dogs with their people walking in Havlíčkovy sady

A country road in Moravia

Fall view with a stream in Moravia

We went to Střelecký ostrov and Petřín over the weekend and we were surprised to find the trees turning color and shedding leaves already. With the wind and slight chill in the air, it really felt like fall.

We have not had any new snow in Prague for a few days, but a lot of it still remains on the ground. More snow is expected next week. The pictures below were taken earlier this week around náměstí Míru in Prague.

The Czech Republic is digging out after heavy snowfall around the country. Trains and flights were delayed and there were serious problems traveling by road. Border crossings with Germany and Slovakia had to be closed for a few hours for snow clearing.

Heavy snow creates problems around the country

Main Prague roads covered with slush, others with packed snow

Prague to start removing snow from centre to Vltava River

Snow in Šumperk

Snow clearing in Šumperk

It’s that time of the year again. The end of November, a month before Christmas, and that means that the first Prague Christmas market opens at Náměstí Míru. It started on Friday morning and we went to take a look. It was the same market as last year, with the same stalls selling the same merchandise and foods, with the same tree and nativity scene. But one thing was different. The weather. It was a beautiful, sunny day and it was about 13 degrees Celsius (55 Fahrenheit). The flowers on the square were still in full bloom, the lawns were bright green, people were dressed lightly and the market decorations felt out of place. It made me remember all the falls and winters I spent in California, and how hard it was for me to get into the Christmas mood there.

The unseasonably warm weather we’re having is supposed to last through November and possibly into the first week of December.

The Christmas Market on Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) in Prague opened up last weekend just as some winter weather moved in.  We had our first snow on Saturday.  It was only fitting since last week, while the Christmas Market was being set up, the last remnants of fall were being blown aside and swept up.

The Christmas markets on Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) will begin tomorrow.

We updated our Prague Christmas section with the dates and hours of many Christmas markets in Prague.

I hear that the ski season began in the Krkonoše Mountains today. It has been snowing there for a few days and there is now enough snow to allow skiing. Winter is starting early this year. Who knows, maybe the ski resorts are going to make up for last year’s terrible ski season.

I’m in Northern Moravia for a few days and we had our first snow here today. When I looked out the window this morning, I saw that the ground was covered with snow. It’s been snowing for most of the day, snowing so hard at times that one inevitably thinks of Christmas. Large, wet chunks of snow are falling from the sky slowly and quietly, creating an idyllic winter scene outside. Too bad I don’t have a camera with me.

Today was a beautiful, sunny day in Prague.  The trees in Petřín Park are starting to bloom. Lots of people were out enjoying the spring weather.

Petřín Park (Petřínské sady), March 11, 2007

What a difference a year makes…

Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), March 12, 2006