Wednesday, February 02, 2011

yes, yes, lets talk about the weather

"Let us shut our eyes, And talk about the weather."

.... from The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan

The weather. There is lots of it today. And while I am removing it from the walkways and automobiles...let's talk about it.

First up...Our resident groundhog from the great state of Pennsylvania has announced and twittered an early spring!

Thank Heavens!

This does not happen often...I believe this might only be the 16th time since they have been keeping records....

If the groundhog had looked around a little bit longer, he may have noticed one of these snow spirals from spaceweather...

Such curious spirals! - The wires were spun clockwise, while the snow formations were spun anti-clockwise. The hardened snow spirals were rotated opposite of the metal wire's weave. How could they have been formed?

Readers with explanations are being invited to submit their ideas...

I suggest that Frau Holda was having fun. Every good spinster know who Frau Holda is...

Spinning Frau Holda is matron of all of women's domestic chores, but none so much as spinning, an activity with strong magical connotations and links to the other world: see Weaving (mythology).

Holda seems to personify the weather that transforms the land, for when it snows, it is said that Holda is shaking out her feather pillows; fog is smoke from her fire, and thunder is heard when she reels her flax. Holda traditionally appears in either of two forms: that of a snaggle-toothed, crooked-nosed old woman, or a shining youthful maiden clothed in white. As the maiden in white, her garments resemble the gleaming white of a fresh mantle of snow.

Certainly looks like her hand work to me!

7 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

THis was an interesting read Cyndy. I have never heard of Frau Holda. The spiral snow is interesting too. I will have to watch our guide wires to see if anything like this ever forms. Stay warm and safe.

Lynn said...

I haven't a clue about the snow spirals, but it's really cool nonetheless.

And I am thoroughly sick of so much weather.

Jody said...

Our resident groundhog Wiarton Willy also forecasts an early spring...Yay!!
Very cool spiral Cyndy.
Now I am off to shovel "the wall of snow" that sits at the end of my driveway :-(

thecrazysheeplady said...

You always have something(s) interesting up your sleeve!

elizabeth said...

Very cool! I have no idea what Birmingham Bill will forecast, but since it was in the low 70s this past Saturday, I'm guessing spring!

Judy said...

Cool spiral but more interested in the early Spring! Snow-wise it has not been a bad winter but the constant below normal temps I have had enough of. I will welcome an early Spring.

Anonymous said...

What unique ice formation! Have you seen these before? Looking at it I immediately though it was twisted in Z, the wires as S. Funny how spinning begins to permeate one's thinking.

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