Afternoon thaw

A small sapling thaws in afternoon sunlight at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 28, 2012. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, today marks the 125th anniversary of the largest snowflake ever recorded. The snowflake was 15 inches in diameter and fell in Fort Keogh, Mont. in 1887. The trees at the Transit Center took on icy coats after a layer of freezing fog rolled into the base area late last night. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)

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Afternoon thaw

Not a single tree, not matter the size or type, could escape the freezing fog at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 28, 2012. The afternoon brought a beautiful sky and plenty of sunlight to thaw the trees. But to no avail, the trees remained frozen and white into the evening hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)

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Afternoon thaw

A frozen tree thaws in the afternoon sun at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 28, 2012. A late evening fog rolled into the area on Jan. 27, which quickly froze to the tree branches. This time of year in Kyrgyzstan, the average temperature is 17 degrees Fahrenheit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)

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Afternoon thaw

With the warm sun on its chest, a bird rests on the top of a thawing tree on the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 28, 2012. Kyrgyzstan's climate is affected mostly by the mountains. Almost 90 percent of the country is more than 4,900 feet above sea level with the average temperature in January at about 17 degrees Fahrenheit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)

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Afternoon thaw

A tree stands frozen on the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 28, 2012. The trees at the Transit Center took on icy coats after a layer of freezing fog rolled into the base area late last night. The lowest recorded temperature in Kyrgyzstan for this time of year is minus 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The country has elevation extremes with the Peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompassing the entire nation. The climate is greatly influenced by the mountains. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)

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Afternoon thaw

Published Jan. 28, 2012
By Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- While today marks the 125th anniversary of the largest recorded snowflake, trees at the Transit Center of Manas displayed another weather phenomenon.

Not a single tree, no matter the size or type, could escape the layer of freezing fog that rolled into the base area late last night.

Average low temperatures for Kyrgyzstan in January are about 17 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest recorded temperature for this time of year is minus 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

By late afternoon, the skies over the Transit Center had cleared revealing a deep blue and holding a warm sun determined to thaw the trees. But to no avail, the trees remained frozen and white into the evening hours.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest snowflake ever recorded was 15 inches in diameter and fell in Fort Keogh, Mont. in 1887.