Here is Charlie Cogbill's response to my call for an article about the ice
storm. I have indicated that I would share it with the group for comments
and feedback.

LA

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 16:17:26 -0500 (EST)
From: Charlie Cogbill <[log in to unmask]>
To: Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: ice storm of Jan 1998

Lesley-Ann,

It might be a little too early for an article on the ice storm, but the
ephemeral data should be collected and archived as soon as possible.  For
example, the radar and synoptic charts are already off the interne and the
anecdotes are fading into shivering memories.  As an ecologist, I would love
to get anecdotal information of the extent, severity and preliminary
assessment of damage to vegetation (not just the utility poles downed as
touted around in the press).  I think someone should collate information on
parameters such as  amount of ice (diameter of deposit on a standard size
branch etc.),  actual elevation  of freezing layer and timing  of ice
shedding/ tree cracking (I call it mode of mortality- height and  nature of
snap). Even  a branch/trunk count which needs to be cleared on a known
length of road/powerline at a known location is a valuable datum.    I could
easily suggest a standard set of observations, but the methodology isn't as
important as good documendation  and widespread coverage. The questions
which I tend toward are the nature of the ice storm disturbance regime and
the interaction with vegetation.  In particular how do meteorology,
geography, topography and vegetation affect tree damage and what is the
long-term response of the plant communities to this disturbance. Some
collaboration  between the meteorolocists and the ecologists might be
mutually beneficial. Please pass this idea around to your contacts..

Also I am trying to pull the mountain temperature presentation into a
readable abstract for inclusion in the Proceedings of the Vermont wea/clim
meeting. I'll send it offwithin the week


Best,

Charlie
Charles V. Cogbill
RR2 Box 160
Plainfield, VT 05667
(802) 454-8619
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