Blows and Blizzards

Blows and Blizzards are two types of weather events we have. The last month or so highs have been 0-10 degrees above zero and lows from -15 to -25 below zero. Worst windchill so far -60.

Middle of last week temp did spike up to 29 degrees. This temp increase can create what they call a Blow. A Blow is strong sustained winds over 30 mph. A couple of days ago we got a Blow with sustained winds of 32-35 mph with spikes up to 50 to 60 mph. There is no snow falling from the sky during a Blow, but visibility is greatly reduced by blowing snow. These sustained winds are not swirling and come from the same direction for duration of Blow. When temps rise its like a Dam being opened and the winds come flying out straight across the Tundra. Overnight you could hear the building eerily creeking like you hear in the quiet moments during a submarine movie.  Heres a picture I took while out driving during the recent Blow…..

Ice Road Trucking

Note the straight lines running parallel across the surface of the road. This is surface snow blowing by at 30+ mph. Temp was about 29 degrees that day, but blowing wind was brutal on any exposed skin. Blowing snow pelting face felt like being sandblasted. Luckily my only exposure is leaving building/facility to and from truck. Unfortunately Truck needs to be started and cleared of Ice and Snow to begin the day. Once started in the morning we leave them run. During a Blow, some vehicles door seals can not hold back force of blowing snow, and can fill quickly with snow drifts. Trucks have required shoveling out of interiors. Some do not start and when they pop the hood to take a look, the entire Engine compartment has been packed tightly with snow, leaving imprint of hood and its crossmembers on top of snow pack with no engine visible. Luckily we have new Suburbans bought a week before I arrived in August and the seals are good. Heres what the Buildings look like after a blow…..

After Blow

Yesterday we had a blizzard. Major difference being there is snowfall with high swirling winds. Visibility minimal. First picture above you can see six road markers (delineator) on each side of the road. During the Blizzard we could see no more than 3 delineators ahead. Temp was -14 with a windchill about -45. Nasty and cold!! Heres a picture I took about an hour before the snow started to fall….

Blizzard

When I took this picture you could at times look straight up and make out the blue sky above. At surface level the winds were swirling and causing whiteout condition. This was taken at 3:08 pm as my partner was turning in our Control of Work (COW) permit and checking us out while I sat comfortably in the truck. With weather like this our crew travels in a  convoy using two trucks. Me getting an old 2004 Diesel pickup to follow behind my partner. Took us 35 minutes to do 15 mile trip. By 4:30pm snow started to fall and declared Phase 2, all unnecessary travel prohibited unless in a convoy. Hence we take two trucks to prevent being stranded out in the Field. If conditions worsen they declare Phase 3, “No Travel”. If this happens we are not allowed to leave and  have to spend the night. It is not set up for sleeping. Hunker down and hope you brought some food.

Heres a picture of an Oil Rig, taken on another day, that is tipped on its side and readying for transport.

Oil Rig

All rigs are jacked up and down as needed and have wheels. They continually are moving the 4-6 rigs they have back and forth. Drill their hole and leave. Pump house is then built around well head. Most people in the lower 48 have seen the see-saw pumps littered across the landscape. Alaska oilfields are under up to 6000 psi pressure and just need a manifold and pipe leading to process facilities with no actual pump per-say. Rig moves alter everyone’s work as they tie up and close down roads.

Heres a picture of nicer times I took looking towards Airport from Fitness Room my very first week.

Fall Afternoon

All white, gray, black and blue (if skies clear) now. Sure miss the colors. Hope to venture out after work some night to check out the Aurora Borealis when the skies clear.

Blows and Blizzards aside, hope to headed home in seven sleeps.