Icicles

 

This time of year is near. Icicle time is coming!

Did you know that we will be most likely to find icicles on the south side of structures unless you are in the Running Water Draw and the snow on the cables melts and creates them like in this picture? Icicles are a product of the sun, and the strongest rays of the sunshine are from the south. As the sunlight warms the surface of the roofs of buildings, the ice and snow melt. That melting water flows down forming drops or streams at the edge. If it is warming up the moisture just drops to the ground. But if it’s sunny and temperatures are below freezing, the drops and streams will form icicles. These icicles will grow as they accumulate water molecules that freeze in the sub-freezing air. Icicles that get too heavy will reach what is called critical mass and will begin to break off and shatter to the ground. If you pay attention to icicles you will know when it is below or above that magic 32° mark: the icicles begin to melt and will break off. Beware, icicles can be very dangerous as they are sharp and heavy. 

Anywhooo, I'm ready for snow and some little icicles. Are you? Then, I'll be ready for summer!

 

 

 

 

Fresh Find: What a great idea. A musical garden bench!