Take a Look, It's Blown Away By Chinook

So, last year I was in awe of the dramatic temperature rise that occurred for a week or so in December.   This year I learned that this is actually a normal yearly occurrence... like, what? 

Chinook Winds!

I'm not sure of the exact science behind it, but something to do with warm winds blowing through and pushing out the cold air.   Over the weekend, the winds of which I speak blew through Healy, causing all of the snow from the trees and tundra to swirl and blow across the land.  The temperature went from -20° to 20° above 0 in a matter of HOURS!  

The Chinook caused not only disarray and unrest across the tundra, but also in my cabin.   Walt and I stayed up past three in the morning rearranging our cabin and playing with the cats who also seemed antsy due to the crazy winds.  Full moons may bring out Werewolves, but Chinooks bring out Werecats!:)    

Most of the frost/snow on branches and such around the cabin blew away, but there was some hold outs... like the frost formed from the heater exhaust.  Are there shoes in there?!?

The locals all say that this is the "coldest" Chinook Wind they can remember as usually it warms up to 50 above 0, and this year it only got up to 25 above.   At any rate, it's nice to be able to go outside in just a light jacket and not have icicles hanging off of my eyelashes and nostrils:) 

Is... is that YOU sun!?!?!?  What are you hiding from?  It's okay to come out from behind the mountains... I swear!   Just take a peek...