Monday, December 12, 2011

No place like (s)Nome!

You may be wondering what severe weather looks like in Northwestern Alaska.  And yes, I say severe.  We have had the coldest November in 48 years, and in the past week have endured three back-to-back blizzards.  The following pictures don't do a justice, but they will give you a peek into just what winter weather is like in Nome.  Enjoy!

Huge pile of snow in our work parking spaces

Yes the snow is piled this high, and no this is no longer an exit

This picture is after the snow had been cleared - this was solid across at this height

Work door from the inside - I had to come in through the shop garage door

Work door from the outside once the snow had been cleared away - this was solid

The "snow plows" that doze our snow away

Our NACTEC basketball court - I could totally dunk now!


Doesn't appear that way, but the wind/snow combination was CRAZY

Low visibility walking around town - no wonder the planes were grounded

My poor, poor truck - lots of digging!

"Bus stop" after our second blizzard

"Bus stop" after our third blizzard

Houses engulfed by snow

My apartment building - the windows up top are the third floor

Queen of the mountain!

Business building down town

Shelves were empty at our grocery stores because they couldn't fly food in (some even closed)

Bare patch next to a huge drift

Trapped!

No more hockey for a bit

Snow pile next to a house for sale - see the kids?

Close-up of the kids sledding down the hill!

Tidal wave of snow

Our roads are navigated by snow machines

Elevated fire hydrant and a sledding hill!

The winds were ripping!

Front Street was plowed, but a mountain of snow divides traffic
How it's cleared away!
Sitting back in my living room watching them clear away the snow

Doing good!

My friend's front door

Yep - it looked thin, but no such luck

Before the excavation began

All done!
What did I do to keep busy in this?!  Play some darts (poorly) at the Alaskan Native Brotherhood!
This bear is ready for the holidays, and so am I!!!