Plus, even if the snow looks fresh and white, there are always dirt and dust particles settling on it, reducing its reflective ability, allowing for more melting!
I used to think it was a mistake when I would see 1936 listed as peak water height on a lot of the rivers around here. I just assumed they meant 1938 hurricane. Then I started looking into it and found a banged up copy of that same book that you posted.
There are some actual film archives of the ice flows taking out bridges on the CT River and tributaries. I think the Montague historical society has the one I saw.
This cold has already and will continue to set up some impressive river ice.
Maybe come March we can get some jamming and flooding on the Connecticut to rival 1936.
Not that I really want that. It’s just a fascinating phenomena. 1936 took out dozens of bridges and I believe it was worse flooding than the 1938 hurricane.
I just did the pot of boiling water into the air trick for my wife and teenager.
I could tell they were somewhat impressed, but also annoyed by my enthusiasm.