Spring snow storm coming in Boulder

[AllieBaxterLubbs]

We have a spring snow storm headed our way here in Longmont, Colorado with the possibility of 5 inches of snow after about 7 days solid of cool temps (55 degrees and below) and rain. I had hung some fondant in my top bar hive next to the cluster and they've been eating it. I'd gotten an email from the guy we bought our bees from to do that in all our hives, so today after doing some research I hung some from a frame in my Langstroth as well. I took out a frame not yet being built on and moved over a couple of frames with the bees on them so I could hang the fondant closer towards the middle of the cluster. It's about 50 degrees right now and the rain has stopped momentarily, but will be getting below freezing tonight and possibly tomorrow night, plus snow.

I've read conflicting opinions on this regarding moving frames with clustered bees on it- any advice? They are currently able to get to the feeder jar (above the inner cover with holes poked in the lid facing down towards the brood chamber) though fewer of them are there now that I inserted the fondant, presumably because they are eating that now (I hope?). Should I remove the frame with the fondant and push all the bees back together, or will they move themselves? Should I leave the fondant there or lay it on top of the frames, under the inner cover? I realize beekeeping is one of those things where I'll get a zillion different answers, but just wanted to see what folks think. We have some chilly winds right now so I don't want to open them up too often, obviously, but I want to make sure I didn't just seal their fate for death tonight!

[Colobee]

They should be fine. We have much longer & worse storms through the winter ( I'm down in Castle Rock). It looks like we have about 5" of snow, so far.

I'm hoping they've done their job stocking up. They have been going "all out" every time we've gotten an hour or two of sun for the past several days. Any syrup above the inner cover hole is probably too cold for them to take - maybe slide a coaster across the hole as you slide the jar off? I'd leave the fondant - mainly because it would require opening the inner cover.

Hang in there - one more day!

[Colobee]

So, how'd it go? I see some flying as the sunshine melts the last of the snow.

[AllieBaxterLubbs]

Seems like it's going great out there, they are very active in the sunshine and I even saw some pollen-laden ladies returning to the hives. I peeked in through the entrance of my Langstroth and there were definitely some casualties but not too bad. I haven't opened the top bar hive because I don't want to disturb them again so soon. I'm planning on going in on Thursday to remove the false back so I'll go ahead and go in both hives to take out the hanging fondant, seems like we are going to get some higher temps for the next few days (and hopefully beyond!) so I'm not worried about food anymore.

[Colobee]

Yes, by mid-morning my hives were all going strong, and kept it up all day. Lots & lots of pollen and I suspect many others were bringing in nectar. It's good to see the plants weren't set back much!

I need to inspect my packages and the big swarm and the weather finally looks like it is going to cooperate for a few days (at least), but I'm with you - I'd rather let them just build back up for a day or two. Whenever I do check, I suspect they will mostly ignore me with the abundance of forage.