Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts

Monday, November 26, 2012

An ice skating winter?




Day 8 of frost and today its thick. The ice fog last night really put a layer on everything. It makes me really happy when it clears out because we get this gorgeous alpenglow in the morning! Here you can see it on Penguin Peak and Raggedtop. Last night’s glow under the moon at dusk was really lovely in Anchorage as well.  

Our weather forecast is still lacking in snow. This got me wondering what the big picture is so I went to digging around on NOAA’s website. Here you can see as of November 26th, the jet stream is not in our favor. NOAA also creates a three month climate prediction seen here. I learned that we are and will be experiencing below average temperatures (no kidding!) Sadly their projection is average to below precipitation. I will choose to look at it this way, sounds like this winter will be great for ice skating! And speaking of, yesterday there were several folks enjoying Potter’s Marsh with their skates on! If you are venturing out to Alyeska Resort, they too are preparing the pond for skating this year. 



Here is Max’s with its sunny halo. Now, if the Aurora would just work with all these cloud free nights.....

Update at 3 p.m.

This afternoon in pursuit of the frost build up on trees near the Seward Highway, this scene presented itself as much more interesting. Looking down Toadstool Dr toward the Arm, these layers of clouds are super fine.



Turning toward the north to see if Penguin is visible, I get a mixed answer. Yes there is a kiss of sunlight on its shoulder, but look at the fog bank hugging it. Temperature here is 12°.



Saturday, November 24, 2012




Day 6 of frost and no significant snow. We do not have the large wafer frost crystals yet, but everything is covered with alligator teeth frost. 

Snow making continues on the mountain which works well considering its 14° and clear skies out. Be ready for a fast ride today!

Yesterday I went to town late in the day and the road was perfect. We even saw some sheep down low on the mountains, including one big ram. The ice is really building up on the rock faces and the waterfall pull out was gorgeous. A few of the ice falls closer to Girdwood have developed what look like ice bubbles but they are solid. Really neat pattern. On the way home at about 7:30 the road was still nice and clear. That has been one great benefit of the lack of snow.



Ever since the iphone came out, people have been relying on the weather app to tell them what is going on here in Girdwood. That app is NOT ACCURATE!!!!! For instance, today someone said the app told them it was -7° here when it was actually +10°. I have yet to investigate where the forecast comes from but do not rely in it. Please check the CNFAIC site, or Alyeska’s Snow Report. These weather stations are actually in Girdwood!!! Above is looking out from the Daylodge. Now the windchill is probably negative temps, but folks are still skiing.

There was a big accident at mile 87 of the Seward HIghway this afternoon. It may be beautiful weather out there folks, but please still be aware and careful of ice in the shadows and people stopped to take photos. Look at Alaska 511 before you leave and check the Anchorage Daily News for the latest, they usually get at least a line in about an accident even before the full report is done.