Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Cicatrix snow
First proper snow of the season this morning. About 3" here. Snow is mid-heavy but oddly turbulent. Rough surface everywhere. Weirdest part: Every expansion joint in the street, and every little crack in the sidewalk, grew a huge mound or cicatrix. About 1" extra height, about 4" wide. The mounds aren't harder or softer than the regular snow; feels the same underfoot.
Picture is non-ideal, taken after the snow has settled for a few hours. Still, it shows one good mound formed over a line between older pavement and a newer patch. The crack itself is not a gap or a bump; it's just a very slight offset.
What's happening?
Conditions are strictly normal. 32/20 for several days, no wind. (Thank God!) The only variable I can imagine is the heavy rain about 9 days ago. Maybe the cracks and joints are still full of warm moisture, which sort of soufflés the snow above them? 
Picture is non-ideal, taken after the snow has settled for a few hours. Still, it shows one good mound formed over a line between older pavement and a newer patch. The crack itself is not a gap or a bump; it's just a very slight offset.
What's happening?
Conditions are strictly normal. 32/20 for several days, no wind. (Thank God!) The only variable I can imagine is the heavy rain about 9 days ago. Maybe the cracks and joints are still full of warm moisture, which sort of soufflés the snow above them? Labels: Heimatkunde
¶ 8:08 AM
