Friday, December 21, 2012

Winter Solstice & White Christmas



Today is the Winter Solstice, as the Winter Season officially began here in the Rocky Mountain time zone at 4:12 a.m. this morning. And so far at least, the World hasn't ended today!

Also thought of as the “shortest day of the year”, our shortest days actually last about a week. The length of day between sunrise & sunset being 8 hours and 57 minutes, which actually started on Dec. 18th and will last through Christmas Day, before we gain a minute of daylight on Dec. 26th. By New Year’s Day, we are up to a full 9 hours of daylight here in Jackson Hole.

White Christmas & Snowcover

Below is a visible satellite photo taken from space (of course) of the north-central part of the Rockies showing the actual snowcover throughout the region, taken Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (Sent to me by Steve Poole, thanks Steve).
Looks like only a few spots in the region that are at risk of not having a White Christmas this year.

Speaking of Christmas, here in Jackson Hole anyway, I will be sending everyone a little fresh snow this Christmas Weekend. Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas!

Link to that page from the NASA Earth Observatory is here:

Rockies Snowcover as seen from Space


Posted by meteorologist Jim Woodmencey
Picture courtesy of NASA

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