Based on my experience and research, Alaskan, you get a lot more snow than we do. I believe we are considered a semi-arid climate. Plus, you are apparently quite a bit farther north.

According to the resource I just found (which was pretty cool, actually. Never ran into it before, so maybe it's new.), the area where I live has approximately 110 freeze-free days on average, which is about what I'd already figured out. Last expected frost is mid-late May and first expected frost is mid-Sept.

Quoting from Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center on snow cover in North Dakota:

"Precipitation is usually light in North Dakota during winter because nearly all of the moisture-laden low pressure systems that result in large amounts of snow follow tracks well to the south of the state."

[Note: that would be right over MooreHaven's & Mumsey's place...]

"North Dakota is favorably located with respect to annual snowfall despite its northerly location. North Dakota's annual snowfall is considerably less than any state to the east of it which borders Canada, and all states west of North Dakota have large areas which receive considerably more snow."

"Deep snow is not commonly found in North Dakota. Surprisingly, the average maximum snow depth measured at any time during the winter season ranges from only nine inches in the southwest to 15 inches in the northeast."

The other thing about the North Dakota climate that tends to surprise people is that in an average year, it gets quite hot up here. Temps over 90 are not unusual in peak summer, though fortunately it usually cools off at night.

Sorry if this all comes as a disappointment...

WOW! nope, not a disappointment...found it fascinating actually.

Where can I find my number of frost free days?

And after I posted my snow post...it dawned on me that those snow inches were for in town...I get lots more snow than in town. Not sure how much more, but it has to be at least another 2 feet.

OF course all this 'happy go lucky' stuff might burn up to nothing come spring time if everyone else is is gardening while I watch these mountains of snow.

OK, *duh* I could just google it!

In case anyone else was interested:

"Kachemak summers are short, cool, and often cloudy. Long hours of daylight help offset the short growing season. In Homer, there may be from 93 to 157 frost-free days a year with July temperatures averaging approximately 60 degrees (Johnson and Coffman 1956). The northern shore receives approximately 26 inches of precipitation annually. The ground often remains wet and cold into May and stays this way in higher elevations into early June. Poor drainage occurs where layers of coal or peat are near the surface. Where land has not been tilled, a dense mat of native vegetation accumulates annually and retains moisture, keeping the ground cool and damp even when rainfall is scarce. Peak rainfall arrives in August, which is when the crops should be ripening."

I am on the 'north shore', above Homer, at 'higher elevations'.

So Liz, even though you have much less snow, and much higher summer temps, we have a similar season length. interesting

(found a different site, said I have 109 days frost free)

I'm so glad I checked in on MHG and friends! Y'all have been discussing a topic I needed to see! Found out from the HVAC inspector that the air intake for our unit is 2 inches too close to the fireplace. Code says 10 feet and ours is 9 ft 10 inches...GRRRRRR And there is really no way to change that. So, I've been thinking I would just remove the surround for the fireplace installation and put it in after we get our certificate of occupancy (in about 2 years...okay, not that bad but it sure feels like it some days ) But I hadn't thought about a wood stove! All I want is to feel heat and see FIRE on a cold night and that just may be the ticket!

Hey here's my climate in contrast quoting Wikipedia:

Richmond has a humid subtropical climate with moderate changes of seasons. Spring arrives in March with mild days and cool nights, and by late May, the temperature has warmed up considerably to herald warm summer days. Summer temperatures can be unpleasantly hot, often topping 90 °F with high humidity. On average, July is the warmest month of the year, with the maximum average precipitation. Days stay warm to mild until October, and fall is marked by nights once again becoming cooler. Winter is usually mild in Richmond, with the coldest days featuring lows in the mid-upper 20s and highs in the mid 40s. The highest temperature ever recorded was 107 °F in 1918, and the lowest temperature ever recorded was -12 °F in 1940. On average, the coolest month of the year is January. Snow falls every winter, averaging 12 inches per season.

In a word, humidity always.

Ellen

I haven't looked up my thingy yet, but thought I was 38? Anyway, I did wash my winter coat today! Needed it big time!

Been wearing this best friend since 82. Loved the olive drab the best,1980. But that puppy wore out, so this is My main coat now. I love this coat! It's on my back from September till May! Whether it's needed or not.

Show me your favorite jacket for this time of year! After the winter wardrobe has been displayed,

we'll start planting tomatoes! I got to study the rules a bit better though, before I commit and submit my entry! Don't wanna screw up here!

ellen,

humidity is supposed to be great for your skin. Help you age more slowly....not wrinkle so fast.

Lisaann, you lost your head!

My current favorite is a camel colored, double breasted, long coat from my FIL. Only problem is I still am not used to the 'boy buttons'.

Hubby took the pic! It's hereditary, his mother always cut the heads off too! Just a bit of humor!

He just didn't want you to have to comb your hair. ROFLMAO

organic baby,

I didn't know you were building! (Or if I did, I forgot )

Hope you haven't gone crazy yet (I am just more or less finished with an addition I love it, don't get me wrong.....but building is a giant PITA!)

Yep, wood stoves are great! Put out lots more heat than a fireplace, and some are super pretty. You can get ones with glass doors so you can see the fire but it can still be efficient and put out lots of heat. I don't have one like that though...so not sure about the upkeep.

Yeah, Alaskan, I'm well down the road and around a bend or two to 'crazy' Multiple reasons I won't go into here though (lucky YOU! ) Giant PITA is putting it mildly.

I found this earlier this afternoon. I love the red! I know I need to do alot more research but isn't this *pretty*? And yes, I am also thinking of pretty/aesthetically pleasing as well as practical, much to DH's chagrin!

organicbaby,

that one is GORGEOUS! I like the soapstone ones too. Always wonder if they are as good as they say they are. Supposedly if you hit them with a hammer the soapstone breaks.

And yep with crazy...turns out my DH took more sick days during our building project than he ever has for all the last 6 years he has worked this job *combined*. I knew the building bothered him, didn't know it was getting to him THAT much though. *sigh*

google Lopi stoves and check out Endeavor. That's what we have and it keeps a 2400 sq.ft. house warm, except for really cold spells. I love it

Now THAT is a "pretty" stove.
You'll regret a glass door unless you are just getting the stove as a room decoration. They don't stay clean enough to enjoy your fire for very long after you light it. If I had had the option, I wouldn't have had one on my new stove. And they are a liability: bump with a log or crack from too hot a fire, you're done until it's replaced. And the only place to get a new one is from the company that made that stove if it's "specifically made in a shape to fit that door".....if they are still in business. Pretty much the same reason's for thinking twice about the "pretty" enamels.
Steel is best, the worst you can do is warp them, but they will still hold a fire. Cast is second, but they are brittle, so you have to be carefull not to bump them too hard. Many an old cast iron stove out there has a clay bond-oed patch because somebody dropped a log in them too hard.
Alaskan's stove is a good example of a Timex that took a lickin' and kept on tickin'.....Best selling point for plain steel; you can't do anything wrong to them that can't be fixed at the local welding shop.
If ya wanna watch the fire, think about a gas log.
Check with your insurance company before you buy one. Some of them will really jack your rate for having a stove or fireplace. Another thing I'm seeing more of are city ordnaces banning or restricting woodburning chimney smoke. And make sure you price the chimney components with the stove, they ain't cheap. You won't like it as a suprise.

....and I know what you mean; last summer's untimely forced-remodeling I thought was gonna kill me before I got it closed back up.

But all in all, I know at -3* tonite, I'm gonna enjoy my fire.

quote:

You won't like it as a suprise.

he's not lying! I just added a 4 foot section on the roof for $200