Childrennin Yokote, in northern Japan, build little snow caves for thisnfestival. After putting a straw mat on the floor of the snow hutn(which looks a lot like an igloo) and lighting a hibachi (a charcoalnstove), the snow cave becomes comfortable! The hibachi can be used tonheat soup and tea, and families visit each others’ snow caves,nleaving their boots outside.
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Some kids even sleep in their snowncaves!
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nIsn’tnit fun to see all the snow huts lit up?
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nSnownis cold but can keep you warm!
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nAnshelter made of snow or ice can keep you warm. That’s because itnblocks cold winds, and it insulates you from cold outsidentemperatures. A candle, hibachi, or other source of heat warms thenair inside the snow hut—and the air cannot easily escape to thenoutside.
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nBasically,nthe snow acts in the same way that a blanket or sleeping bag acts—itnkeeps the warm air in. And the smaller the snow hut, the easier it isnto warm up. Your own body may generate enough heat to warm up a tinynsnow cave!
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nHerenare instructions for building a snow hut. Notice that one key to thisnsnow hut is to heap up snow loosely. Don’t pack the snow. A looselynheaped-up pile of snow traps a lot of insulating air, like the airntrapped between the down feathers inside a good sleeping bag.
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nAndnhere are instructions for building an igloo. Note that thisndesign does use blocks of packed snow! The interior layer ofnsnow melts when it is heated—but then refreezes into ice. And,naccording to the article, ice is an excellent insulator!
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nAlsonon this date: n
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Remember the Maine Day
Remember the Maine Day n
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Women’snrights activist Susan B. Anthony’s birthday
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Women’snrights activist Susan B. Anthony’s birthdayn
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nNationalnFlag of Canada Day
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nNationalnFlag of Canada Day
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