 Let it Snow? |
Let it Snow? |
January 14, 2012Arcticulates ®Focusing on Alaska's BeautyAuthor: K. FieldsLet it Snow?It sure seems this year that Alaska's winter season has been living up to its well known reputation... and then some when it comes to challenging and extreme. What with... below zero temps before winter had officially started, plus hurricanes, avalanches, ice storms, high winds, blizzards, and overly abundant snow falls. So instead of happily chanting "Let it Snow"...most are saying "NO more Snow!" This year Alaska has been breaking records or nearly breaking records all over the place when it comes to snow storms. We do have a couple of areas in Alaska, where 'mountains' of snow are the norm year after year... Valdez, to name one...is famous for its tremendous amounts of snow fall every year. The snow this year has been amazingly abundant, heaping up to 50 feet high in Valdez, tho beautiful I can imagine all the shoveling can get pretty 'old' by the middle of winter. Driveway in Cordova
I love when the snows blankets everything in pure crystally white snow. Makes everything look smooth and clean, and it really does muffle sound. With that said...I do not like shoveling snow! Thank goodness I have some grandchildren young enough to think it's fun. I find it tedious having to shovel the same area over and over again. But I really like the look of the snow, perfectly piled on both sides of the driveway, and walk ways. We have some friends that have small plows that can be hooked up to four-wheelers, and they get the snow moving job done pretty quick, tho...our other friends swear by their snow-blowers which pick up the snow and blow it to the side about 6 feet. Which is okay...but you still have to shovel the snow that is heaped up where those handy dandy pieces of equipment won't work or reach. Adding Height With Snow
Plus we have to dig out the vehicles that are buried in snow, if we need to go anywhere, using shovels, brooms and ice scrapers, which come in mighty handy this time of year. I must say... we can get a great workout, just preparing to run a few errands. I feel for the wild animals outside that are trying to trudge through this deep snow, which I am sure is pretty tiring. They tend to head to the plowed roads because it is easier for them, but it also makes it extra dangerous for drivers to have steer around these big animals on dark, icy, snow covered roads. It is also a little harder for the big animals like Moose and Caribou to get to their food sources, like the smaller Willow trees we have. So they are hanging around people populated places because of the snow removal which makes it easier access for their food supplies. We have a couple hanging around our house this week, stripping the bark off the willows near the shoveled walk ways and driveway. Sleeping under the huge Black Spruce trees where the snow can't get deep because of the tree branches. Moose Stuck in the Snow
The snow we are getting this year surpasses the amounts we have had in a long time. If it keeps up, Anchorage is on track to have the snowiest winter ever, surpassing the previous record of 132.8 inches in 1954-55, I think they are sitting at 89"-90" inches now and we still have a whole lotta winter left...and the weather person predicting more snow coming... Valdez which is known for major snowfalls every Winter has surpassed shock and awe... and has had a total of nearly 321.8 inches this season. That's more than 14 feet above normal for their area. It has been dubbed 'Snowmageddon' in the media. Road to Valdez
With all this snow everywhere, Alaskan's take it in stride, actually, come to think of it... we really have no choice! So the only thing to do is make the best of it and find the humor. Believe me... I find it terribly funny to know that they ran out of snow shovels and are being offered snow shoves for $50.00 a shovel to get the job done, who'd a thought. I am glad I have a pile of snow shovels outside... prepared.. hmmmmm.... maybe I can rent them out. When all the shoveling is done, I found some time to sit back and do snow research on the internet.. I found this wonderful website who gives us the top ten fascinating facts about snow. I have lived here 30 years and I learned something while reading it. It is well worth the read if you get a minute. Ten Fascinating Facts About Snow Handed Lemons make... Refrigerator/Freezer?
Hugh bunches of snow at a time can cause a few problems. Like getting out of the house, because it blocks the doors. When you push the door open it packs the snow, making it into a hard wall... which makes it even harder to remove by shovel, plus the snow pile may melt and leak into the house under the door frames. Also if it builds up to window frames or higher.. there may be a problem of snow melting around the window frames leaking in, which can cause flooding in the houses and mold growth. In Cordova, which has had above and beyond extreme snowfall so far this winter, has dozens of National Guard troops, and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, helping them dig out from massive snows build-up to the tune of a 'record' 18 feet, which has caused some roofs to collapse, has trapped some people in their homes, and triggered avalanches. We have had flyers all around Alaska wanting to hire people just to shovel snow. Snow Pile Blocks Doors
When the snow piles up, I must say, it makes great insulation, keeps everything warmer inside the homes, protects the septic fields, plumbing, and well houses outside. The biggest issues right now is the snow 'load' weight on roofs. Once we get the roofs shoveled off then things will be pretty much okay till Spring. We usually like to keep at least a few inches of snow on the roofs because of the added insulation for the inside of the houses. Here is a great website that explains the 'snow load': Snow Load Information Then in the spring when the snow starts to melt.. the big problem then will be... where is all that melted snow water gonna go. So I think I can safely predict that we may have some flooding to deal with in a couple of months. But lets not go there right now! Right now we shall do like most Alaskans and concentrate on the bright side, which is enjoying the amazing beauty, and having some fun on skies, snow boards, and inflated rubber tires. Snow Insulation... in Cordova
So... let it snow... we will just keep digging... and we will brave the -40 temps and head for the Ice Sculpture Contests located here and there in Alaska. No rush tho.. cuz at these temps there is no fear of the beautifully detailed sculptures losing definition from melt. Winds of Alaska Abstract 'lst place' winner of 'The Artist Choice Award' 2011
To see more beautiful photos and some pictures of ice sculptures in the building process click here: Ice Alaska In the meantime... stay warm! Later... K Fields See Also: Baby! It's Cold Outside?
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