Snow covering the backyard

Jordan Ford of Hot Springs makes snow in his backyard on one of the few cold winter days.

Jordan Ford made his own snow during the recent cold snap WDBJ7

10:44 a.m. EST, February 15, 2012

The winter hasn't been cooperating with snow fans. Even the ski resorts are having trouble keeping snow on the ground during the unseasonably warm season.

During last weekend’s brief arctic blast, Jordan Ford of Hot Springs (Bath County) took out his homemade snow-making gear and created his own snow in the backyard.

"Usually, Hot Springs, Virginia gets snow storm after snow storm during the winter season," says Jordan. "Just the other year we received over 25 inches of snow in one storm alone."

Granted, his snow depth didn’t come close to the nearby Homestead Ski Resort, but it was better than Mother Nature could produce all winter.

"I thought that if The Homestead Ski Area could make snow, maybe I could too," says Ford.

Last weekened, the cold snap allowed for perfect snow-making conditions. Dry, cold air is neccesary to freeze the mist coming out of the nozzle.

The snow-making started early in the day. "I was able to pile up 2 feet of snow before moving the machine to the other side of my house."

run up and actually play in snow when it hadn’t snowed all month. It was truly magical.

Jordan Tweeted me an updated photo Monday (Below).  Unfortunately this is all that’s left of his weekend snow.

 

 

If you're wondering how he made the snow. Here's Jordan's step-by-step directions.

HOME SNOW-MAKER
Normal Operating Pressure – 40 -150 PSI (water and air).
Normal Operating Temperature- 39F max, at 10% humidity
My snowmaker can make up to 2 inches per hour, over 625 square feet.


REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION:
Air Compressor
Air Hose
Garden Hose
Valved garden hose connector
Tap water
No pressure washer is required. Great for use in marginal snowmaking weather, where you might not be able to make snow with a pressure washer design.
Cold Weather


HOW IT WORKS:
It works by mixing low pressure water and compressed air. When air is allowed to rapidly expand, there is a sudden decrease in temperature (known as the Joule-Thomson Effect). The conditions at the nozzle are such that the mist is able to immediately freeze, resulting in snow.