Winter Has Arrived In Gilmer!

We have had minimal snow in Glenville, but this week the artic temperatures have arrived. As you can see our koi pond is frozen over and the surface has only a hole that is kept clear of ice by the aerator. It is cold!

Karen Wynne, meteorologist at WCHS in Charleston, WV, has the specifics on the chilling forecast. I know my southern friends will enjoy this. They often complain when it gets too 40 degrees. I have seen folks with heavy jackets in Charleston, SC when the temperatures were in the 60’s.

“Monday should be one of the coldest days of the year, with flurries, gusty west winds and highs near 15 degrees. We'll feel the worst of the arctic air Monday night, with lows near 2 degrees in Charleston. Many outlying areas could go below zero. Tuesday will be slightly warmer, but still cold, with the dome of arctic high pressure still in place. Expect partly sunny skies, a few flurries, highs near 20 and lows near 9. Wednesday will be very similar to Tuesday. The arctic air begins to lose it's grip on Thursday, allowing us to warm up to 30 degrees. Our overnight low should be in the upper teens. By next Sunday, we're going to begin to see a much warmer weather pattern, with highs near 40. With a southerly wind flow at the surface, and a ridge of high pressure higher up in the atmosphere, we could be back in the 50's early next week!”

Our koi and the albino catfish are safely staying at the bottom of the pond. They are in an inactive state resembling deep sleep. Fish are poikilothermic. That is a fancy is a fancy word for animals whose metabolism is controlled by the temperature of the surrounding water. The body temperature is lowered and breathing and heart rates slow down. This process protects the animal from cold and reduces the need for food during the season when food is scarce. I stop feeding the fish in November when the water starts cooling and will not resume feeding during the later part of March. It is important to not feed the fish if temperatures are below 50 degrees.

It is important to maintain an opening on top of the pond so that gas exchange can occur. Ammonia, Hydrogen sulfide, and methane are produced even in the cold winter months.