First Winter Snowstorm

Despite the fact that the final flight was moved from February 23rd to (very late) on February 22nd, and despite the fact we were told “weather is coming” several times, the weather only finally cooperated a couple days ago, dumping several inches of snow on us at once. Being that it’s so dry, most of the snows here are really, really powdery, and being that it’s so cold, it’s possible to make a really wicked snow angel, then dust yourself off and come away from the experience not all that damp.

Here’s a comparison of Building 155 (big blue) before (Feb 26) and after the snow (Mar 2, today).

There’s been a few days to get the snow under control. A lot of the snow has blown away (to drift other places) and the roads have been groomed so that they’re not mid-shin deep. Seeing town go from brown volcanic dirt to all white is a stark reminder of the cold days to come.

Get your hot chocolate ready.

国境の長いトンネルを抜けると、雪国であった。

“The train came out of the long tunnel, and there was snow country.”

雪国 Snow Country, 川端 康成 Yasunari Kawabata