Hoar Frost: A closer look at snows surface

26 MARCH 2020
Backyard Exploration: Hoar Frost!

Good day to you all! 

If you live around the McCall area I am sure you have noticed the new snow and the magical layer of Hoar frost that formed on the surface. Hoar frost is caused by a temperature gradient (a difference in a measurable variable like temperature) meaning the temperature at the bottom of the snowpack is warmer than the surface temperature. Ideal conditions for hoar frost to occur are when the night sky is clear and the temperature drops below freezing. This creates the temperature gradient! Since SNOW IS WATER the moisture in the snowpack creeps towards the surface due to the basic principle of warm particles rising and cooler particles sinking. As moisture particles reach the surface they are no longer clinging to the snow/water around them and begin to crystallize and spread out. Thus, HOAR FROST IS BORN!!

Thanks for reading about todays outdoor learning experience. Stay tuned for more pictures, fun facts and crafts in the weeks to come. Have a wonderful day!

Please find pictures and a video link from todays Backyard Exploration below!

Youtube link for Hoar frost: https://youtu.be/tcuvf1OLP70

Backyard Explorations! Introduction!

25 MARCH 2020
Backyard Exploration!

Good Snowy Day Everybody!

My name is Megan Chandler and I am the new Americorps placement out of the University of Idaho, Valley County Extension office. I am (and surely you are too) currently working remotely due to COVID-19 but that does't mean that exploring the world around us should come to a stop! Many of us can do it in our own back yards! 

The following posts, video links and content in this series were created while I was quarantined in my home due to COVID-19. Because of this I was unable to engage the public and my community with programming and events like I normally would. Using this blog space and a social media platform (Facebook, FB) seemed like the best idea to get my content into the world and to have it be shared with other folks and their families that were quarantined. A major part of my position in this office is to create meaningful content and host learning days that are relevant to environmental education. 

Video links and posts that you will find throughout this blog and on FB include:

• Hoar Frost: A closer look at snows surface
• Aspens: Facts and how to identify an Aspen tree
• All about Birds!
• Identifying birds: What is a bird?
• Habitat: Where do birds live?
• Bird Seed Craft: How can we help birds?
• Beak and Bill Adaptions: How do Birds eat?:
• Bubble Science: Bubble art craft!
• Water Properties: H2Olympics!
• Water in landscapes: Watersheds!

I had a wonderful time creating this space and its content and I hope that you and your families enjoy it too! Don't forget to check out the UI Extension, Valley County Facebook page for more content and educational videos so you can explore, learn, create and discover in your own backyard!

Youtube link for introduction video: https://youtu.be/PiraKj0Sxxw 

See you soon!
Megan