Weather

Winter's Northern Lights Show Called Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis, also known as The Northern Lights, are a phenomenon usually seen in the skies above the Northern polar regions of planet Earth. 

Canada, Alaska, and many of the northern tier states are well within the range that can experience these dramatic light displays.

The Southern polar region has similar displays but they are referred to as the Aurora Australis.

This Canadian Northern Lights video demonstrates the dramatic effect we see on many clear nights:

Continue reading: The Northern Lights: Aurora Borealis

Avoid A Roof Collapse From Heavy Snow - Here's How To Remove Snow From Your Home's Roof

Every winter somewhere in this country an unusually heavy snowfall will result with some buildings collapsing under the extreme weight of snow accumulating on the roof.

Though the nightly news may only converge on large industrial or commercial buildings that buckle under the stress, this is indeed a concern that every homeowner needs to take seriously. 

Continue reading: How To Remove Snow From Roof

How To Make Snow Sculptures In Fun Shapes

Remember when you were a kid and you waited in anticipation for the first significant snowfall? It was best if the snow was wet, packed snow because the first thing you wanted to do was make a snowman.

But have you ever considered making a snow sculpture?

Many adults love sculpting snow. There are even snow sculpture competitions that take place all over the U.S. and the world.

Snow sculptures can be made right in your front yard, or at the park for all the world to see. If you are a little bit shy about your snow sculpting skills, then build your snow sculpture in the back yard where it's a little more private.

Here are some tips for building your own one-of-a-kind snow sculpture, plus photos of ideas you can replicate...

Continue reading: How To Make Snow Sculptures

8 Tips For Making The Best Snowman... Ever!

If you're fortunate enough to live somewhere that gets snow in the winter regularly, then you probably build the occasional snowman.

Or, if you're like me, you only buld a snowman once every 2 years or so -- which is about how often Seattle gets enough snow to build a snowman!

Either way, there are actually some good tips you can use to make your snowman totally cool for yourself... and your neighborhood!

Continue reading: 8 Tips For Making A Snowman

How To Build A Snow House Or Snow Fort With Kids

Last year, we had a lot of snow in this area. To get my grandsons away from so much screen time (TV, computer, handheld video games) and out into the great outdoors, I researched and found the instructions for building a snow house.

A snow house is made very similar to an igloo, except it is rectangular and doesn't include a roof.

Check out this amazing video that shows how to build an igloo.

A snow house can be built anytime during the winter after there's been a good snowfall and when temperatures dip below freezing.

Be sure to check the 7-day forecast to ensure that it will remain cold for several days after your snow house is built; otherwise, your snow house will melt away.

Here's how the boys and I made 2 snow houses...

Continue reading: How To Build A Snow House

Fun Facts About Snowflakes

Do you remember catching snowflakes on your tongue when you were a child? I loved feeling as the cold snowflake laid on my tongue and melted into icy goodness.

My siblings and I built snow forts and played war, using snowballs as weapons. We made snow tunnels and snow caves, as well as snow angels. And we enjoyed tobogganing and skiing on the hills that surrounded our country home.

When I was young, I never gave a thought to how snowflakes are formed, but my curiosity was piqued when a teacher began to talk to our class about snow science. The teacher told us about a man named Wilson Bentley, a self-educated farmer who dedicated his life to the study of snowflakes.

Continue reading: Fun Facts About Snowflakes

Want Fake Snow? Here Are 5 Ways To Make Fake Snow

It's that time of year again... the holidays are here!  And for many, the holidays just aren't the same without snow.

Some of us live in regions where snow is hard to come by. In my case, the last time I remember snow at Christmas in Oregon, I was 4 years old and I'm 41 this year, so you can see how seldom it happens! Last year here in Seattle, we had a few flurries but nothing really stuck.

So, what do you do if you want some snow for the holiday season for decorating purposes or just for your kids to play in? You guessed it, you use fake snow!

Here are some ways you can have fake snow at your home...

Continue reading: How To Make Fake Snow

Interesting Snowman Photos: Fun & Unusual Ways To Build Snowmen

Wintertime is a lot of fun -- especially when there is plenty of snow on the ground!

Most adults and children alike enjoy making snowmen, snow women and other fun snow shapes.

If you'll be making a snowman this year, here are some unusual ideas to make your snowman the best one in the neighborhood!

One snowman to another: Does it smell like carrots in here to you?

Following are some of the most creative snowman shapes, faces, arms, and clothes. (Plus, fun miniature snowmen too!)

Continue reading: Fun & Unusual Ways To Make Snowmen

How To Survive A Blizzard If Your Car Gets Stuck In Snow, Ice, Or Mud

The reality is that people get caught unaware by snow storms all the time.

Either they don't pay attention to their local weather news, or a sudden snow storm arrives unexpectedly.

Whichever it is, people tend to get caught in their cars during snow storms and blizzards, and not knowing what to do (or doing the wrong thing) can be very dangerous -- if not deadly.

The sad truth is... 70% of the deaths that take place during a blizzard, happen to people who are traveling during a winter storm.

Here's what to do if your get stuck in your car during a blizzard...

Continue reading: Survive A Blizzard In Your Car

Lightning Strikes: How To Stay Safe During An Electrical Storm

Electrical storms happen everywhere in the United States, so there is really no escaping them.

In fact, believe it or not, lightning kills 55% more Americans than tornadoes -- which come in at a 41% death rate for Americans. That's relatively high, so it behooves everyone to take electrical storms very seriously.

If you're wondering how close an electrical storm is to you right now, check out this lightning strike map.

Here are some tips for staying safe during an electrical storm, no matter how small or far away the storm might seem...

Continue reading: Lightning Strikes & Electrical Storms