Winter Views Before Solstice

 The winter solstice is due Dec 21 at 8:47 AM Alaska Standard Time this year according to timeanddate.com.  Monday morning.  Two years ago I did a post on Jean Meeus whose calculations we use to determine the solstice.  We got here fast this year and by Wednesday  we'll start gaining light each day.  I took the picture above on Friday.  The sun doesn't rise high over the horizon, but it's out almost five an a half hours. 

 

 I had a meeting at UAA on Thursday, and while it had snowed a bit overnight, I still wanted to bike over.  They tend to keep the bike trails well plowed on campus.

 

A little bit of sun was out Thursday as well as you can see in this picture from Rasmuson Hall.  The ice fogged trees are still completely and spectacularly white.

And here's a common winter problem.  The bike trail was cleared fairly quickly, but as the snow plows repeat their plowing of main streets get they push the snow in the bike and pedestrian paths.