Storms

Well, we had the predicted storms and then some.  Early this morning, about 7:15, an electric storm blew through.  Later in the day, mid-afternoon, the sky grew very, very dark, and we had a rainstorm, with small hail.  We had sprinkles off and on throughout the day.  The storms may continue off and on the next few days, including wind and even snow. It is that time of year.

A Changing Sky

The sky was bright and sunny today.  The weather predictors were saying we would have a change with possible light precipitation by Wednesday.  By this afternoon, the sky has become heavy and grey with clouds. The temperature has cooled.  We shall see how the weather turns.

I should have suspected that the weather forecasters were correct.  When I awoke this morning, I had joint pain, and no desire to move.  On a work day, I would have forced myself into the hot shower, and get dressed so I could go to work.  On a weekend, day off or holiday, I just rather lounge for a while, and gradually work my bones and body to move, take my shower and take it easy.  Which is what I have done and have been doing today.  

A Most Unusual Atmostphere

From my place of employment, we watched the dust blow in and recognized this was typical West Texas, even if it is in the fall, when some 40 years ago, most of the blowing dust was in the spring. 

But, the sky was unusual. If you looked to the south, east and west, there was dust in the air. Looking to the north and north west, we could see clouds building, with possible storms, and blue skies!

I went shopping and about an hour later, left the store.  When I did, the parking lot was wet. The rain was not heavy:  the tarmac under the parked  cars was dry.  You could see the areas where the rain was coming down, also.  When I got home, it was almost totally dry at my house.

Weather

It has been a pleasant day today, and the sun was out earlier. Now, at 3:30, the sky is overcast, and it is almost as dark as it would be at pre-dusk. I think our weather over the next few days will get cloudier and cooler, but maybe not so much precipitation.

Weird Weather

I have already commented on the stormy weather that was predicted for this area, and which we have been experiencing.  Today/'s weather was really weird.  It was in the mid 60s most of the morning and early afternoon.  It was cloudy, dark, and gray. I ran errands early afternoon, and did not realize how cold the wind was.  I was filling up the car with gas, and wishing I had worn a light jacket, although I had  on a thermal shirt and another over shirt.

So, I did my weekly shopping. Which takes about 45 minutes.  As it did today.  When I left the store, the weather had changed drastically: the clouds were gone, it was sunny, and about 20° warmer.  Wow!  That was amazing.

About 2 hours later,  the clouds returned, the temperature dropped about 20° and the wind picked up again.  There was some light drizzle in the air, but nothing significant.  I have not seen any lightning tonight, nor heard any thunder, and so far, there has been no rain. 

Overcast

The day started bright and sunny, but the weather forecasters were predicting increased cloud cover with possible scattered rain. About mid-afternoon, the clouds started rolling in from the north and west.  But even before that, it was possible to see the cloud banks to the north and west.  As I sat facing north in my house, I could see the cloud banks moving in, and the sky to the south and east blue, with fluffy cumulus clouds spotting the sky.

By six or six fifteen, the cloud banks had moved in.  It made the house dark, dark enough to need the lights inside, even though we are a couple of hours from sunset. The wind has picked up.  

The problem is, there is no guarantee of rain just because it is overcast.  Maybe it will rain, after all.  

A Slight Rain

There were spotty showers in the area tonight, and it got dark late afternoon.  I could see lightning and hear thunder, but it was protracted without rain, until finally we had a good but brief shower.  The kind of rain we needed.  Yeah, rain!

Sunset

I was sitting at my desk facing north, looking through the window, and saw the fire pink clouds in the sky.  I have seen this before, and sometimes, it is due to fire, but more often, it is due to the fabulous sunsets we have in West Texas.  Well, I went out to look, and sure enough, the pink was so vibrant when I went outside that even the concrete drive way reflected it, and it came from the sunset.  This occurs when there is a low level cloud bank in the west, and the sun reflects gold on the lower edge of the sunset, and reflects pink on the other clouds, including the mammatus clouds.  The recently erected YWCA building to my west at the end of my street blocks my direct view of the sunset.  The intensity of this kind of sunset passes very quickly, and sure enough, by the time I went in to get my phone/camera, the brilliance had faded (why didn't I bring my  phone with me. I do not think in terms of pictures.)

So this is the washed out version of the photo. We are due to have some cloudy weather other days this week, so maybe I can remember to get a better picture next time.

Clouds

Some sort of cold front is blowing in tonight.  Early in the evening, it was really windy.  And getting cooler.  Close to dusk, dark clouds moved in.  They did not show up as rain producing on the radar, and the weather forecasters gave Lubbock a slight chance of rain, with much of the wet weather in the north and east of us.  It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

An Unusual Phenomenon

This was a most unusual phenomenon. My computer room faces north. This evening, as I was sitting at the computer desk, about 8:30 PM, it became preternaturally dark. Not pitch black, but definitely darker than it should have been for that time of day. There was a severe storm warning to the north and west of town, about 15 or 20 miles away, heading west. So there was no reason for concern.  But, I went outside to check it out.  There was a large, dark cloud parked over my house and the houses around me, heavy to the north. The sky to the east, south and west was clear and sunny.  I could see north beyond the cloud to a blue sky!

This cloud sat there until it became dark.  I did not see any rain.  I did not see any lightning or hear any thunder.  And the cloud just sat there.  Weather is weird sometimes.

A Gray Day

It was a gray day.  There were showers at various times during the day.  I kept the windows locked open, except when I was out running errands.  It is cool out.  The house is holding at 70°.  It should be good sleeping weather tonight.   I did not sleep good last night and after a brief nap, I stayed up until after 4 AM, reading.  Even when I went to bed, I did not go to sleep for a while. And I had some weird dreams.  So, it was not restful sleep. I woke up about 8:40 AM and could not go back to sleep, which was just as well.  But I was slow at getting going this morning.  (Don't you just hate that phrase, "getting going?" But I use it anyway.)   My back hurt a little today.  It was just muscle, eased by an analgesic patch. And aggravated by my being tired.  I thought I would be able to go to sleep early tonight, but not yet, after 10:30 PM.  Everything was gray about the day.  

Weather Change

A cold front blew in today.  It was supposed to be much cooler. My outside thermometer said 91° but the breeze that came with the front made it feel much cooler, even in the direct sunlight.  There were some clouds and thunder mid-day, to the north and northwest, and less developed clouds to the south, early evening, but no rain.

The air is cooler tonight, in the low 70s.  That is nice.

There are some clouds to the south. I doubt that we will get any rain tonight.  As much rain as we had earlier this year, we could use more:  the high 90s dry everything out quickly.  Although we have had little over 100° temperature, the high 90s wreck havoc.

Grey, Cold and Damp

Tuesday was a really dark day:  It was grey, cold and rainy.  It was the kind of day you want to build a fire in the fireplace (if you have one), curl up with a good book, and drink hot chocolate.  It was election day.  I wonder how the weather affected the election results. It was a full, busy day at work. 

And since it was a full day at work, I worked a little late.  On my way home, I had a couple of errands to run, so when I got home, the cats were waiting for dinner.  It was much later than usual.  But my cats have free access to food all day long, so I know they will not go hungry, although they are spoiled, and are picky about what they eat most of the time.

Wednesday was still kind of grey, and even Thursday was a little at first, but by the time I left work the sky was clear, bright and sunny. 

The problem with the grey, cold and damp days is I feel it in my bones.  It is like someone has iced my bones and put them in my body after doing so. I ache all over. I do not have a fever, it is just the ache from the cold and probably the barometric pressure change.

I do what I need to do to warm myself up:  Drink warm liquids, eat hot meals, dress in layers, and turn on the heater.  These help.  But, when I catch a chill, it is almost like it takes over my body, and it takes time for these measures to dispel it from my body.  This is not new for me.  I started having this problem when I was in my early teens.

Sometimes, when I can stay inside, stay dry and stay warm, I like the grey, cold and damp days. It is nice to bundle up in layers, snuggle under a warm cover and relax.  Maybe read, or listen to good music, or watch good TV. 

Grey, cold and damp does not have to be bad.  It is just not how circumstances allows me to deal with it.

It was a Hot, Grey Day

Well, really, it was not always a grey day, but when I left work about 5:30 PM CDT, the sky was greying over.  There looked to be some pockets of storm clouds, but mostly it was grey cover, clouds with no depth or catalyst for rain.

It was very still, very humid. The air was heavy. And stifling.

An hour or so ago, I thought I saw a flash.  Well, maybe.  Then, I heard the thunder.  And, later, there was some sprinkles, but no real rain.

The thunder continued, the lightning seems more frequent.  The rain is sparse. 

This is West Texas.

The Rains

The rains have not come tonight. Yet. The air is still, cooling off, but not cool. And still.  There are rumbles of thunder and plenty of lightning. But, no rains.  In fact, the sky was cloudy in the early evening, but was clearing not so long ago. The weather radar has storms around, but none in Lubbock. 

The air is cooler outside than inside, but not enough to help the air conditioner. I have opened the windows, and shut off the air conditioner.  I hope it rains, but I am not looking for it to rain.

Unusual Clouds Tonight

As I was out and about running errands tonight, I noticed the clouds in the sky. They were beautiful.  I saw a formation of clouds that I am not sure I have noticed before.  They were stacked round and puffed, sort of like a cream puff.  Or a buttermilk flake biscuit. Or a hamburger bun before the innards are added. Or a UFO saucer without the surrounding wing. Or a tall hockey puck, but with rounded edges. They were scattered at various places through out the sky.  And they held their shape, which tells me there was not much upper level wind disturbance.

I love to watch the sky and the clouds.  One of the most exciting things about living in West Texas is watching the weather move in.  It sounds mundane, but it is so fun to me.

I love the electric energy of an electric storm. But I am smart enough to know that I need to be inside when an electric storm moves in.  And the reality is, in West Texas, electric storms can quickly become severe weather with deadly lightning, damaging hail and destructive winds.  So, while I find weather this kind of weather exhilarating, I have learned to respect its power and destructiveness.