Winter Snowpack

The story of winter is written in the snowpack on the roof of my woodshed. Each storm leaves a new chapter: soft layers of snowfall separated by thin ice crusts from rain or debris from wind. During cold spells, the snow slowly dries, and the crystals grow large and faceted. Warmer days compress the layers. Now, as the March sun grows stronger, the south side begins to melt during the day and refreeze, forming the first icicles of the season. A simple stack of snow becomes a record of weather, temperature, and time passing through the winter.