Extreme Alaska cold grounds planes, disables cars

Yahoo News ^ | By STEVE QUINN, Associated Press Writer

[ma bell]

JUNEAU, Alaska – Ted Johnson planned on using a set of logs to a build a cabin in Alaska's interior. Instead he'll burn some of them to stay warm.

Extreme temperatures — in Johnson's case about 60 below zero — call for extreme measures in a statewide cold snap so frigid that temperatures have grounded planes, disabled cars, frozen water pipes and even canceled several championship cross country ski races.

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[rahbert]

Never trust a man who parts his name on the side.

[Condor51]

Temperatures sit well below zero in the state's various regions, often without a wisp of wind pushing down the mercury further.

Clue for STEVE QUINN of Ass Press -- the "wind" doesn't push down the "mercury" (temperature). The "wind" creates the ... (ta-da) ... The Wind Chill Factor.₍₁₎

And the 'WCF' only affects living things, not cars, engines, pipes or 'typewriters' (/s). -10^o is -10^o to an inanimate object.

(1) Some 'expert' now says that's bull___. I say he's bull___.
I know -5^o with no wind and with a 20mph wind -- its fricken COLDER!

[Dixie Yooper]

If we can find a way to extinguish that fire at the center of the Earth, the Earth will cool and we will all be saved!

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Here is a great idea for the cold climes:

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2008/12/tile-stoves.html

Some of these are really beautiful, as well.

I can imagine improving the design, so that a single oven stove could be used for several other purposes, such as a gentle clothes dryer. And using some carefully installed high tech insulation, like sheet aerogel, to create any number of heat retention-heat loss effects.

[Dixie Yooper]

canceled several championship cross country ski races

It's tough waxing skis for sub zero temperatures. I used to have some luck with Jack Rabbit Wax when it got to -30 or colder, but you had to rewax every few miles. Of course that was back when wooden cross country skis with pine tar applied to the base was very common. Now everyone wants to skate on their skis.

[Pikachu_Dad]

Ah, SURVEYS.

The State of California just did a VOTE on two issues. The ‘green’ issues got clobbered unanimously State wide. Lost in the furor over Prop 8, check out the votes on props 6 and 10 !!!

One was to mandate that powerplants all switch to renewable power. The other was to fund the purchasing of energy efficient cars.

[henkster]

I’ve been watching northern hemisphere temps on Weather Underground. Western Siberia is having a slightly warmer winter than usual, but Alaska and most of Canada have consistently been -20F or lower since the end of November. Much colder than normal.

[tvdog12345]

Yes, that future orientation is why California, unlike other states, has no budget problems this year. California’s careful planning is also reflected in the state’s ample power generation and refining capacity, and in a system of highways geared towards future growth. While a state such as Arizona may be facing water shortages in the future, prudent Californians need not fear, since they have constructed all the necessary infrastructure to provide for their water needs far into the future.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I’m curious how does your comments relate to a story about unusual cold in Alaska?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

This is due to Global Warming, which also causes Up to be Down, In to be Out, etc.

[Enchante]

It’s a reminder that all of the permafrost is about to melt, and Siberia to Alaska to northern Canada will soon be a vast “greenhouse” of methane gasses.....

...... or so I was told by Albore.

[wbill]

And the 'WCF' only affects living things, not cars, engines, pipes or 'typewriters' (/s). -10o is -10o to an inanimate object.

WCF exists because roughly, the wind aids in removing heat an object. Particularly with an object that relies on heat (like cars to start....) WCF is certainly a factor.

But will it lower a thermometer? Nope.

[Red Boots]

Californians, as a rule, are more future oriented,” DiCamillo said. “When there is a problem that is cropping up in the future, they are more apt to attempt some early fix, to do something about it. That conforms pretty much with the way Californians have reacted on other issues.”

Oh, I get it. That's why they won't allow a power plant to be built in their state, are busy dismantling their water storage supply facilities, and have just recently outlawed the egg industry, causing shortages in other states that now have to provide them with power, water and eggs. It's all that forward thinking stuff !

[cookcounty]

While it has been a very cold winter here, today it was 60 and sunny in Colorado Springs