Moods of the sky behind our weather instruments 2022-23

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

We are almost exactly a full month after the autumnal equinox, so it has become the traditional time to start a new annual thread of photos.  We had a mini heat wave end yesterday and the fog came in just enough to create this pretty display:



We are in that "witching season" in between the summer's heat and winter's cold.  It can bring the first rains of the season, or it can bring those nasty off-shore wind events that greatly increase the fire risk.  Area's to our north and south are having the first Public Safety Power Shutoffs of the season.  For the moment, the forecasts are frustratingly ambiguous.

We shall see!

Edouard

[xairbusdriver]

Fall arrives!

[Blicj11]

Fall departs!

[xairbusdriver]

Looks like it left a lot of "dust" behind!!

[elagache]

Thanks X-Air and Blick for sharing your views of autumn around your respective stations!   

The air is feeling autumn-like and we are starting to see the leaves fall here in Orinda.  However we are still waiting for that first rainstorm of the season that will take us out of the dangers of wildfires.

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

We received over an inch of rain at the beginning of the month.  However since then, the weather has returned to a dry pattern with only a teasing of potential storms.  This morning was another example:



Only time will tell if the pattern will shift once more.

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

You only have a few days a month when you can photograph the Moon along the eastern horizon.  This year I haven't been very lucky in attempting to capture that.  Last night was at least an opportunity if not the most exciting.  This photo was the best of the sequence:



Note how far to the north the Moon has migrated since the equinox.  It is another indication of how close we are to the winter solstice.

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

As the calendar year draws to a close we face one last change of season: the winter solstice.  Here is list of local times when the event will occur all across the world:

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20221221T2148&msg=December%20solstice%202022

A few days ago we had this dramatic scene before sunrise that seemed appropriate to mark the occasion:



For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the solstice is kind of hopeful sign - the days won't get any shorter.  I assume that is something of the significant with which ancient religions commemorated the event.  Still, it has been a very long and difficult year, personally and globally.  The need to do some soul-searching certainly hasn't diminished in 2022.

Edouard

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of diverse weather,

This morning we finally were able to actually see some blue sky.  Shortly after sunrise I caught this photo of clouds billowing up from the eastern horizon:



The National Weather Service is still forecasting more extreme rainstorms, so we will have to hunker down and deal with it as best we can!

Oh well, . . . . . . Edouard 

[xairbusdriver]

You need to enlarge that image and glue several on your windows! You might need to shop for more ink before printing, however. Be sure to take an inflatable raft any time you venture outside!

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

The days are definitely getting longer as we continue the journey from the winter solstice to the spring equinox.  The weather has turned fair in California.  This morning the condensation trails made for a pretty scene before sunrise:



Even in winter nature can give us a sense of serenity.

Cheers, Edouard 

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

Old man winter is most definitely not finished with dishing out misery.  There is a blast of arctic air gripping the whole country - even California.  This morning I captured these clouds behind the anemometer:



Definitely a more dramatic scene than the photo of the 7th.

Cheers, Edouard

[xairbusdriver]

"Arctic air"? What arctic air?!! New Annual High Temp here today: 77.7°F

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

The Spring Equinox is a little early this year, occurring on the 20th in many parts of the world.  Here is my usual website with the times all over the world:

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20230320T2124&msg=March%20equinox%202024

The astronomy may say spring, but old man winter is still keeping its grip on California.  I took this photo a few days ago and it captures what the sky conditions are like in our corner of the world:



What will this new season bring?  All we can do is wait and find out.

Cheers, Edouard

[xairbusdriver]

Got an image from my Son over in Cupertino of some downed power lines (not sure of the exact location) a few days ago. Hope you haven't been inconvenienced with that kind of problem on your side of the Bay!

It seems we now are allowing TV weather people to create/name weather events? High/low pressure centers, westward movement of weather systems, Jet streams, etc. are not 'exciting' or newsworthy enough. Now we have "atmospheric rivers"! WOW! "If you don't like the weather in Chicago, just wait a few hours and we'll come up with a new name!"