The End of Dark Season

Weather is a common topic of discussion among acquaintances; it is also something that many people regularly complain about. Living in the north for the past four and a half months has drastically changed my perspective of weather.

First off, I am beyond excited to see the sun rise tomorrow. It was November 30th the last time I saw the sun; it briefly skirted the horizon and left the most amazing sunset in its wake as it retired for its month and a half long respite. Tomorrow at 12:07 p.m. the sun will finally return. The "Welcome the Sun" festivities have already begun! Tonight at the town recreation center there are all sorts of exciting things going on. Elders will be telling stories of how life used to be and a ceremony involving a qudliq, a traditional stone lantern, will be featured. Tomorrow the town is hosting dog sled rides, stories in igloos, drum dancing, and throat singing. The elementary school, where I work, is also having their own festivities for most of the afternoon. This is going to be an exciting, entertaining and educational week!

Secondly, yes it is cold and it is supposed to get colder very soon. I find that if you're covered up and have good a good layering technique you will be fine. Once it dips below -40°C cold is cold; sure at -50°C you will get frostbite faster but its still just absolutely freezing out and I would prefer to be outside as briefly as possible. However, we have had some relatively nice weather up until just before New Years; @lacking and I were able to enjoy a few snowmobile rides out on the tundra during the winter break.

Finally, wind. I have never experienced wind like I have living in the arctic. The wind here can be insane and can change so fast it seems as if you are in the eye of a hurricane. There are no trees for reference or to block the wind in any way; it comes howling off the tundra or sea ice with such force it knocks the breath from your lungs and pushes your entire body in whichever direction it is charging. It brings in ice fog so fast and thick that within minutes visibility goes from 2 kilometers to less than 200 meters. The wind blows so hard and for so long it seems the there isn't any snow left to blow.

Life in the arctic has been an eye opening and amazing experience. So far we are both enjoying it immensely and are looking forward to the end of Dark Season so we can finally begin to explore our new and unique home
This is a photograph of one of the last sunrises I saw before the Dark Season began.