Sunrise 9:17 am, sunset 4:54 pm for a day length over 7 hours 37 minutes. The sun at noon is high enough in the sky that the sun visors on my car actually work, and I was driving home in daylight under a clear sky at 5 pm yesterday. We’re now gaining about six and three-quarters minutes a day, as will be the case throughout February. We’ve had a little snow this month (2.1 ” officially) but only enough to make up for settling of the snow pack. The snow stake still shows 14″ on the ground, and only chances are given for the rest of the week.  We’ve had 28.6″ since July 1, compared with a normal of 54.6″.  I think those of you in the lower 48 have all our snow this year.

The snow crystals are locking together as the snow ages, as can be seen by the way the snow piled on the top rail of the fence has gradually slipped, and the way the locked-together snow is pulling the wind spinner over without falling off. I wonder how far that fiberglass pole can bend.