I learned something new tonight. I learned what a Chinook wind is and what effect it has on ice sculptures. Chinook Winds are winds, an arctic phenomenon, that blow either wet or dry warm air from the ocean or down from the mountains. They can raise the temperature to unseasonably warm degrees. A Chinook started blowing early Tuesday morning and it warmed up to a record breaking 45 degrees. Some of the sculptures had damage. The ice can’t be glued above 40 degrees because the water won’t freeze. The ice can fracture as well. Many of the teams shut down and wrapped their ice in Tyvek. Some of the teams forged ahead, despite the warm temperatures. Fortunately, the temperatures have cooled back down to normal now.

Dean DeMarais and his team worked through the warm temperatures. They are putting the wings on their eagle.

And thank you Steve Iverson for going live for us every night. Your postsare such fun to watch.