Poles Used for Measuring Snow Depth in Sivas Are No Longer Needed

No Longer Need for Poles Used for Snow Thickness Measurement in Sivas

The fact that there is no longer a need for the poles placed to measure snow thickness for meteorological data collection in Sivas highlights the climate change. Poles planted by the General Directorate of Meteorology approximately 60 years ago in Çatpınar village of Doğanşar district in Sivas have not been used for years. It is stated that in the past, poles approximately 5 meters long caught the attention of people, and snow thicknesses up to 4 meters were measured. Nowadays, with snow thickness not exceeding half a meter in a different region, there is no longer a need for the poles, revealing the climate change.

Statement from Former Village Head: “They Used to Measure Snow with These Poles in Those Days”

Former village head Ahmet Söylemez, who expressed that the poles were planted in the village when he was a child, said, “I remember when they planted these poles, I was going to primary school. They came and planted the poles, and at the time, we were curious. We asked what these poles were. They told us that these poles were snow measurement poles. They used to measure snow with these poles in those days. It used to snow heavily here in the past. We could barely move from one house to another. Now, there is no snowfall, but these poles are still standing. This winter was dry. There was no snow. It snowed at night and melted by morning. Nowadays, technology has advanced, and you can observe everything with a click. People who see them are always curious.”

Comment from Village Resident Şerif Keskin: “There Used to Be About 3 Meters of Snowfall in the Past”

Village resident Şerif Keskin stated that these poles now serve as railings, saying, “These poles were planted in our childhood. They came to check them for a few winters afterwards. There used to be about 3 meters of snowfall in the past. Now, it does not snow, the poles remain there, and no one came to check again. These poles remained here like railings.”