Friday, March 27, 2009
Ashfall
Trace amount of ash falling here at work on the Pee Dub. Naturally I checked the NOAA announcements about this, and read that the ashfall advisory for the Valley has been cancelled.
Um, not, lol!!
Very very fine, more like a powder and a medium grey color. Originally I thought it was snow, but nope, snow does not leave a residue on my car windsheild.....
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6 comments:
Barely a trace at home, which is fine with me.
The count of eruptions yesterday was five events. I heard on local news that the 89/90 series lasted six months (was it really that long?) and there were 89 eruptions over that period.
I have a hunch we are going to exceed that number and that eventually we will get ash fall in measurable amounts here in the MatSu Valley. So far, prevailing winds have taken it elsewhere and it's mostly causing havoc with air travel. Which means my hub is basically stranded on the Slope, unable to get home....this morning, there are two flights scheduled out of Deadhorse, and so far they are not showing as cancelled. I will keep my fingers crossed, but there are a lot of people to rotate in and out, waiting for a flight.
I found it interesting that I could see and taste the light ash fall in Wasilla but as I drove further north into the Meadow Lakes area there was much less.
I have to agree with your hunch, I do think we will be getting a measurable amount in the near future. And Redoubt is probably going to stay active for a few months. Anyway I rather watch something as magnificent as Redoubt instead of focusing on the recession/depression we live in.
Ok question here as you know this is new for me. Even with these little trace amounts is it necessary to cover our face (mouth and nose) when outside? We were out yesterday building another dog house and everything falling seemed just like snow since it melted right away on the cars and grill. We didn't cover our faces and now I'm a little worried....
Whisper Creek, you are fine ;)
There are only a few times you need to worry and take precautions such as masks, etc.
The first is during active, heavy ashfall (well, doh, lol!) when it can easily be seen and felt. It will leave a taste in your mouth too, and sometimes you can feel a "tk tk" on your exposed skin. Wear glasses or goggle, a mask or something over your mouth and nose, and try not to exert yourself. If it falls with snow, much less of a hazard to your lungs, but still possible.
After measurable ashfall is when things actually get worse. When the ash settles, it covers everything of course. It is very acidic and should be hosed off of vehicles and trailers, etc. You will need to dump and rinse your stock tanks too (although I did not after this tiny bit yesterday as I cannot even see it on the snow) While it will be great for pastures and gardens, it will get tracked into the house on everything-pets, kids, shoes, you name it.
Well that makes me feel much better...thank you!
Dang, there she goes again!
Hub made it in, just in the nick of time as there was another eruption about 15, 20 minutes after his scheduled arrival time.
Now another.
I dunno, do you think we ought to start a pool on how many events there will be in say, a month? I am thinking we are over 15 already.....
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