Snow Blast Cherry Tree

 Our small Cherry tree's branches were coated with snow but it is still standing tall.  Meanwhile the snow piled up on and beside the fence blocking the gate.  It will take some shoveling before we're able to open the gate.  The cold is continuing and though there has been a little melting, the snow hasn't gone anywhere.

Snow Blast Blanket

 Yesterday's snow storm created a winter wonderland with the 9 inches of snow.  The wet snow stuck to and coated everything it came into contact with.  We were lucky that the temperature rose to the mid 30s so much of the snow on the trees dropped off by late afternoon and we didn't have any large branches break off.  Unfortunately today's temperature may not even get to freezing so the snow isn't going anywhere for the next few days.

Snow Blast Two

 Another blast of snow from Mother Nature.  This snow storm is even bigger than the one last week.  We have already had 7 inches and the snow is still coming down.  This weeks snow is much damper than last week so is sticking to everything.  Our Japanese Maples and other plants on the front porch are overloaded with snow.  The forecast is for the snow to continue for at least two more hours so maybe up to 10 inches total.

Wicked Cold Weather

 The snow hasn't gone anywhere and it has been wicked cold getting down to almost zero this morning.  I don't think I've ever seen the pond this frozen before.  Luckily the aerator is keeping a hole in the ice for gasses to escape so the Goldfish should be ok come spring.  They are predicting some warmer weather and perhaps some rain this weekend which should prompt some thawing.

Solar Panels After Sun

 After clearing as much snow as I could reach, mother nature came through with a partly cloudy sky.  The sun peaked in and out of the clouds for about 4 hours and the temperature rose to freezing.  That allowed the solar panels to get rid of the snow and take full advantage of what sun was available.

Solar Panels Fight the Snow

 After 4 to 6 inches of snow last night, the solar electric and solar water heater panels on the roof are covered with a bunch of snow.  I got my 8 foot ladder and swimming pool brush that can extend to about 20 feet and went to work.  The temperature was about 20 degrees but at least the wind wasn't blowing.  I wanted to get them cleared so the sun could complete the task if it came out as predicted.  The task takes about an hour and hurts arm and shoulder muscles a bunch.