Same Dome, Different Climates

Alaska's state motto is "Don't be scared—Be Prepared." Chuck and Louise Snyder, both Native Alaskans, must have had that motto in mind when they decided to build their Monolithic Dome in Soldotna, Alaska. In January 1999, temperatures plummeted to minus 30 degrees, bringing with them a wind chill of minus 52 degrees Fahrenheit. One evening, Chuck noticed that the water was not as hot as it usually was. But Chuck simply thought they had temporarily overtaxed their hot water supply. The next day, however, they had no warm water. Chuck checked the furnace and discovered they were out of heating oil. At that point, their Monolithic Dome had been without heat for two days. But had it not been for the water going cold, the Snyders still would not have known it.