Groundhog Blizzard
WOW, talk about a snow storm. Beginning on January 31st with light snow falling all day, the storm continued through February 1st and 2nd. Gardens at Waters East picked up 19.7 inches of snow. This storm was not part of the “big” storm that affected so much of the United States over those days. That storm went south of this area and stretched across so many states.
This storm came in off of northern Lake Michigan as that “big” storm was moving along south of the lake. The winds here were at a sustained 30-35 miles an hour; hour after hour after hour, with gust up to 50 miles an hour. Snow piled up and up and up. It then blew away at times only to build up again. The “sculptures” formed by the advancing then retreating snows were beautiful.
The Storm Begins
Winds and Blowing Snow
The Sun tries to Shine Through
Asian Patio - Buddha
As was true for the “big” storm far south of Gardens at Waters East, everything also came to a standstill in this area; stores were closed, schools closed, business closed, roads closed. It really was too dangerous to venture out. There were plenty of warnings issued to stay home.
Snowdrifts up to Five Feet
Beginning to Clear
These photos can only give a hint of the intensity of this storm.
It is hard to capture the feel of the wind and the swirls of the snow.
Whiteout conditions existed throughout the days.
Morning of the Third Day
On the good side; the increased depth of the snow from this storm is great for the Gardens at Waters East. Not only does the snow ensure more moisture in the soil come Spring, but the layer of snow acts as an insulation over the soil so that the roots are protected from any freezing and thawing that would occur on sunny days. Such thawing and refreezing again and again, causes much root damage in this zone. So the storm is not all bad news!
Beauty in the Fields of Snow
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