Looks like the winter wasn't that long this time. Well, that's another reason why I don't think Asahigaoka is too far north on Honshu; they're north enough to get a decent amount of snow in January into February at a higher altitude but not crazy Aomori Prefecture levels of snow.
I am looking forward to hearing Akane Shinoda in season 3. I wonder who they're going to use? It'd be cool if Silverlink got Izumi Kiita (Tomoko in WataMote, also from Silverlink) back at the studio for a recurring role provided she gets back to Japan from London.