Incidental Bug Fix.
While this is UNRELATED to the proxy server or the Gateway Errors, it WILL impact speed.
Each year the folks that run the SNOTEL site change their website interface, and it always results in our Real-Time SnoTel Ticker getting broken.
Moments ago we just updated it for the 2013/2014 season.
Part of the delay SOME members were seeing the moment they logged in was from the Ticker TRYING to get the current data and Failing.
IF this bug was effecting you, the next time you log in, there should be a shorter wait before the first forum screen appears.
If you were not using the Real-Time SnoTel Ticker, then this will have NO impact on login times.