Sunday, July 29, 2012

Weather It Is (Up and Down?)

Good morning:

This summer's summertime weather continues summerly along.  However, it's really not too "bad," as the temperature are hot, but not too hot.  In fact, the nights have turned quite pleasant again, at least in the mountainous areas like in Jerusalem.  And there doesn't seem to be any real change in sight.

The reason for our fairly stable is weather is low pressure situated to our east, with high pressure situated over the northern part of the African continent. Between them, we have a fairly steady flow of air from our east (so it's hot), which mixes with a more cool westerly flow of air from the sea (so it's not too hot).

Of course, some of us might be feeling hot around the collar, as the government announces one tax increase after another.  I guess our ministers don't feel that our overdrafts our high enough, so now we'll be able to use our overdraft (which the banks really encourage) to pay higher taxes.  On the other hand, didn't quite a large number of Israeli citizens spend the previous summer campaigning for government sponsored (i.e, "free) education for kindergarten, etc?  One can't blame the government for giving with one hand, while taking with the other (which then passes behind the back to the giving hand).  The alternative would just give the banks a reason to charge higher interest rates.

Barry Lynn

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Weather It Is (More Summer Weather)

Good morning:

It makes sense that the continuation of summer would bring more summer weather, especially in Israel where the only constants seem to be more hot weather and an occasional (or not so occasional) missile launched from Gaza.

Of course, the weather could turn extremely hot, which would make for more summer weather than we desire.  However, looking ahead shows a fairly constant weather pattern with the hottest temperatures situated well to our east.  We'll continue to have light to moderate westerly winds, which will bring warm and humid temperatures along the coast and very-warm and dry temperatures further inland. Hot weather will be the rule in the Jordan Valley and south to Eilat.

Having returned from a trip abroad, I can tell you that the good news is that missile attacks take longer to occur than a lightning "attack."  We hardly ever have any lightning here in Israel during the summer -- so I guess there are those who like to make their own interesting weather for us to take care from.  Or, is it just our government that treats these attacks like an attack of nature?

Barry Lynn