Ode to Friction (how I miss thee)

Thank you, Arctic Oscillation, for the bruise on my bum.

There is a pressure difference between air in the atmosphere at the mid-latitudes (high-pressure) and the high latitudes (low-pressure). The low-pressure zone generates winds that trap cold air over the arctic. Sometimes, however, the pressure systems weaken and cold arctic air is able to move to the south, making it snow in London and Corvallis. Warm air is then able to flow north into the Arctic. This phenomenon, called the Arctic Oscillation, is particularly strong this year. (plagiarized-ish from: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=42260)

Longyearbyen is melting. We now have several rivers that have opened up through town (the downfalls of being downhill of 2 major glaciers). Temperatures are about +1 C, but are expected to get up to +8 C. The average temperature for this time of year is normally -16 C. EVERYTHING is covered in a 3-inch thick sheet of ice. Standing up is treacherous, let alone walking the 3 km to get to class or the gym. Some classes are cancelled because the airport is closed and profs are stuck on the mainland, and the grocery store is rapidly running out of fresh food. I've survived by making friends with the guys on my hall who own crampons. We're all still at the point where it's just funny (giggling while crawling up the hill), but I DO hope it gets cold again soon...

Am still LOVING it here though. More stories and pictures to come (falling through sea ice, learning norwegian, safety course results, surviving a blizzard while on a glacier ETC...)

Adjø!