BEYOND THE MARGIN By Joe Spear
Observations on
SNOWMELT, ROOF RAKES and FOOD TRUCKS
T
he change of seasons keeps us out of a psychological rut in Minnesota. We can thank warming temperatures and the meteorological occurrence of snowmelt for this. This event should not be underappreciated or underestimated. We have a record amount of snow to melt this spring. Depending on which meteorologist you believe our snowmelt could be from 70 to 90 inches this year, far above the normal 30 inches. They’re already talking lots of flooding depending on how fast the snow melts, and how saturated the ground is and how fast it thaws. The snowmelt in northern Alaska has moved up on the calendar by about eight days since the 1960s, according to the fine folks who develop Wikipedia articles. Less snow and warmer temperatures are cited as reasons. Some of the highest peaks in the Alpines in Europe are now snow free. There’s a certain tension around the idea of snowmelt. While the new artificial, super tough turf of Franklin Rogers Park awaits its new test of March baseball, the pickup trucks remain steadfast in the parking lot of the Mankato Curling Club just over the center field fence. 14 • APRIL 2019 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
They’re white and big like World War II aircraft carriers, and their owners are unwilling to cede their winter pastime just yet. This is likely due to the competing energy fluxes involved in snowmelt. According to Wikipedia: “These fluxes can act in opposing directions, that is either delivering heat to or removing heat from the snowpack.” And snowmelt is a good time for commerce. Car washes are offering volume discounts. It’s been said people in Minnesota take more hot showers than most to remind them of what warmth is like on the body. We also bring our trucks and cars to the wash more often because it reminds us what a clean vehicle looks like. These are therapies not to be dismissed easily. The bars get busier around snowmelt. There’s more to toast as spring arrives and the darkness is lifted by daylight saving time. People in bars seem happier with a March thaw and watching high school hockey and basketball tournaments. The tournaments get us through to St. Patrick’s Day.