Saturday, December 31, 2011

Weather It Is (Getting Wet)

Good Evening:

Low pressure is scheduled to move eastward across the Mediterranean during the next few days. It's suppose to bring a steady and moist supply of air by tomorrow evening, with rain spreading south Sunday night.  The system is suppose to last a few days, so you might want to check your rain boots, rain jackets, and rain hats.  It's always nice when it rains for a few days at a time.

Looking further ahead, we dry out a bit, but then winter weather should return late in the week and again last a few days.  We're around 80 mm of rain here in the Gush and this and the next rain will hopefully push us over 100 mm for the year so far. We several hundred more, though, to approach normal!

Thank you to all for sending the birthday wishes!

Barry Lynn

Monday, December 26, 2011

Weather It Is (Winter Continues)

There was quite a lot of rain in many places. For instance, 75 mm was reported in Jerusalem and 56 mm in Efrat (Gush Etzion).  There was 80 mm on the Hermon.  It really was nice to have a prolonged period of rain.

Of course, one wonders what will be next.  Looking at our crystal weather maps we see another storm on the way just in time for Shabbat.  There will be a quick warm-up ahead of this next system, but it should bring plenty of moisture and cold-air.  In fact, it really will feel like winter, and there is likely to be snow on the Hermon and possibly on the highest mountain peaks elsewhere - as the storm continues into early next week.

Tomorrow is my Birthday; this weather column started about 10 years ago -- but I'm older than this.


Happy Chanukah,

Barry Lynn

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Weather It Is (A Change)

After a string of beautiful days, the weather will change.

Up to now, we've been between systems.  Strong low pressure has been located to our east, while strong high pressure has been situated to our north. Depending on which was stronger, the winds have either been from a chilly northerly direction, or a warmer easterly direction -- like the last few days.

This will all change in the next couple of days, as a deep trough of low-pressure digs down south and then spins up over our region on Shabbat into early next week.  This looks like to be a major rain event, our first in quite some time, and a chilly one two. 

The system will pass in a few days, but the temperature will remain cool and showers will be possible from time to time. 

Barry Lynn

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Weather It Is (Winter there, everywhere, but not here

Okay, so it does feel like winter.  But, that's because winds continue to blow clockwise around high pressure situated to our north.  So, the days (except for today when it warmed up a bit) have been pretty cool, and the nights even cooler.  However, the storminess, and there's plenty of that -- has been happening elsewhere.

In fact, that high pressure situated to our north is a pretty good blocking high pressure system.  By the end of the week low pressure is suppose to move our way and maybe even bring some rain.  However, it fizzles as it approaches, and the rain may come to what appears to be a premature end.

Barry Lynn

Friday, November 18, 2011

Weather It Is (Sleigh Bells Are Ringing)

Good Friday Morning, Erev Shabbat:

Cold air continues to stream southward and this general weather pattern will continue for the next few days.  This cold air is helping to strengthen and build-up a "real" winter storm -- one that lasts more than a few hours -- actually a few days. Rain will be widespread form the north into the Arava.

Looking ahead to next week.  Our weather depends on the possible phasing of the northern Jet-Stream with the more sub-tropical Jet-Stream over our area.  Very, very cold air is forecast to plunge southward during mid-week.  If a weak storm moving across the Mediterranean is able to couple with this cold air, there will be another major winter storm.

Stay tuned -- Shabbat Shalom.

Barry Lynn

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Weather It Is (Winter on the way)

Good Saturday evening:

After an absolutely beautiful Shabbat (Saturday), which was really part of a string of beautiful days, winter is on the way.  It's actually on the way quite a bit earlier than last year, when winter finally came in a ferocious windy storm that blew tiles off roofs, as well as helping to spread the largest and deadliest fire in Israel history. That storm actually ended with a bit of snow in the center and more in the north, but this one will probably be just plain rain everywhere.  Still, it looks to be quite a bit of rain, so now is the time to unfurl the umbrella and check children's boots -- as a rainy day is almost as fun as a snowy day -- if you have a good rain coat and waterproof boots.

Barry Lynn

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Weather It Is (Winter on the way)

As we take a look at our forecast maps, we get a strong indication that winter is on the way, and even looking forward the weather maps looks more and more like winter.

Of course, the pages of the calender are turning and we should be headed towards winter.  Yet, I can remember many a past winter season where winter just didn't seem to come.  What was winter seems to come less frequently, even though severe weather seems to occur more often -- consistent with global climate change predictions.

A fairly strong winter storm should approach tomorrow and spread rain tomorrow from the north to the center (by sometime tomorrow night).  It looks like to be our first general and real winter rain, so it's a good idea to seal up any holes or leaks that might be leftover from last winter or summer months.

Of course, some people's leaks are really holes -- holes from missiles fired from Gaza.  My guess is that certain European countries must sell rain or water damage insurance, since they keep telling us that we should open up the sea-border so the Gazans can import larger and more powerful missiles.

I find it odd that the missiles have stopped while we contemplated a ground assault (through the mud, apparently).  But, like the upcoming storms and rains, the calm will end for this reason or that, and then we'll contemplate again (and the Europeans will say: don't build houses -- build missiles instead.

Barry Lynn

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Weather It Is (The weather changes, but...)

Well, actually, the weather is not changing that much. It's pretty much a few clouds here, a sprinkle there, as the weather patterns stagnate.  Looking a bit farther ahead, there might be some rain late in the week, but there is only a 25% chance that it will evolve into something substantial.

I think the chances of there being a significant rain is higher than the chance that our leadership will ever change, or at least change their standard response to the war of missiles being made on our cities from Gaza.  A ceasefire is no substitute for a strong and decisive policy; missile attacks should not be treated like car accidents (which we tolerate far too many of); trying to create deterrence by killing a few terrorists is no substitute for winning the war; and the iron dome system should be our last line of defense, not our first.  Please someone explain to Mr. Netanyahu that "Bomb-Empty-Buildings-Barak" (BEBB) should be put to pasture.

Unlike the weather, missile attacks are not acts of nature, and our shelter rooms should be used for storage of goods, not people.

Barry Lynn

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Weather Heading Towards Winter?

Updated Wednesday Morning, 26 October, 2011

The weather is turning a bit more winter like, and rain is forecast in the north today. Greater than 10 mm will likely fall in many inland and northern mountainous areas, including in the vicinity of the Kineret.

However, the long range forecasts are showing below normal precipitation amounts. Considering that we just said the prayer for rain, one wonders if we're not quite up to snuff.  For instance, in religious neighborhoods, there were reports of objects being thrown at police and those protesting against new gender segregation rules on public streets in the "religious" neighborhoods (which is actually illegal). 

On the other hand, this morning one of my Mangoes rolled off my spaghetti (box) and down the sidewalk. How do I know this? Because one young lady made an extra effort to run after me (I was jogging) to return the Mango.  So, score one for a rainy winter.

Looking ahead here -- at least a week ahead -- the weather pattern is sort of static, which means that it might be good for local showers from place to place. So, keep that Umbrella handy.

Barry Lynn

Friday, October 14, 2011

Weather Sliding Along

The weather is certainly nice, and it looks like it will stay that way.

The weather pattern is also quite active, with storms sliding by to our northwest.  However, winds rotating around low pressure to our east are preventing any of these storms from moving into our area.

Hence, the perfectly nice fall weather we've been having should continue, although as the weather pattern transitions a bit eastward cooler Autumn weather will be felt over most of the country.

Enjoy the holiday,

Barry Lynn

Just about perfect

The weather is just about perfect, as we're poised between the winter to come and the summer that was.

Winter time-like storms continue to move by to our northwest, and in fact the weather pattern is pretty active.  Yet, winds blowing around low pressure situated far to our east are preventing these storms from moving in to our area.

The weather pattern will slide slowly eastward and the cooler temperatures of winter will make themselves felt -- but not to coolly (so to speak).

Barry Lynn