Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Weather It Is (A WARM Thank You to "Superdeal"

Good Evening:

On Monday, the air was so still and warm that even the Mediterranean stood still.  It was almost like a lake.  There was even a "mirage:"  it appeared that the tents covering the beach were actually out at sea.

The weather turned windier in the afternoon, and winds have continued to blow strongly.  There will be a bit of a moisture push on Thursday, which may lead to scattered tropical showers.  Moreover, temperatures should be headed down a bit as the week rounds out.

However, while temperatures are cooling nearer to the surface, they will be warming aloft after Thursday. This means that the atmosphere is stabilising; of course we are headed into summer.

I'd like to mention that we had a bit of a topsy turvy last few months.  After a very large amount of winter rain, we turned more dry and windy, with occasional bouts of warm and then cold weather. Apparently, this type of weather was quite favourable for our vegetables.  For the first time in Israel (courtesy of the Superdeal in Efrat), I ate sweet corn, and sweet Sugar Snap peas.  I also made caramelised shallots. So, I have to thank Superdeal for making the effort to bring us the blessings of our winter/spring. Perhaps, as I was told that Rabbi Shalom Gold said, there was just enough weather for everyone.

Barry Lynn

Monday, April 22, 2013

Weather It Is (Spring Springs Back)

Good Afternoon:

After  a week's worth of cold weather, we're about to turn the corner -- as Spring springs back.  Temperatures should begin warming on Tuesday and then warm progressively each day as winds blow from the southeast.  Sunshine, which has been in short supply, should be in abundance.

Yesterday's rain produced about 1/2 inch of rain in Efrat.  This is about 12 mm of rain. Where I come from, this is a good day's rain.  However, during the January storm as much as 50 mm or more fell during a single day.  Of course, it doesn't usually rain during the late spring and summer months, so it's important that 50 mm in a single winter's rain event happen more frequently than not.  Moreover, after our late winter drought, the rain is welcome.

This last storm had very winter like characteristics, and some said that the weather had a turned a bit weird. "Weird" weather is one defining characteristic of weather in a global warming world, yet one can not draw long term conclusions from a single period of uncommonly cold weather (for April, no less).

Barry Lynn

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Weather It Is (Winter's Grasp)

Good Evening:

High pressure remains anchored to our north.  It continues to funnel cold air into our area, which is helping low pressure to spin up in the eastern Mediterranean. Hence, for the next few days there should be periodic periods of rain from about the center of the country to the north, with a few isolated showers further south.

The rain doesn't look to be too heavy, but it is persistent.  Moreover, temperatures will be cooling at upper levels which could lead to greater instability and possibly short-lived heavier convective storms. The winter-like cold weather should persist into Sunday, before the high pressure moves off to the east and warmer weather and temperatures return.

Barry Lynn

Monday, April 15, 2013

Weather It Is (A Pleasant Day Followed by...)

Good Morning:

Today is turning out to be a really nice day weather wise, which is appropriate for those who must or wish to pay their respects and give their thoughts to those who made our lives in the land of Israel possible today.

The nice weather will come to an end tonight, though.  High pressure has anchored itself to our north.  It is holding at bay weather systems that until now have kept us on the southern edge of the storm track.  Instead, cold air flowing clockwise around this high is helping to spin up weather systems moving across the Mediterranean.  One such system will impact us late tonight and early tomorrow morning, with some light rain scattered across the area.  Temperatures will feel a bit chilly in moderately strong winds.

On Independence Day, there will be some scattered showers (mostly in the north) before a stronger system moves in Tuesday night with a more significant rain.

Looking ahead, the cold air should last until the end of the week; afterwards, we should return to warm (but not hot) and pleasant spring weather.

Barry Lynn

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Weather It Is (A Rainy Independence Day?)

Good Evening:

People are asking me, what is the weather going to be on Israeli Independence day.  Well, I wasn't very forthcoming because at this time of year one doesn't think about rain, so I just referred them to our web site.

One might think that it always gets warm before Israeli Independence day, and then gets cool just in time for the ceremonies.  I did mention this, but it turns out that this year should be different.

It won't really get warm before the big day, but it should be sunny and pleasant for those who must  honor  those who gave their lives so others could live in a relative peace and prosperity.  However, winds should pick up ahead of a strong storm dropping out of the north and west as the day progresses.  Then, rain should move in at night - most likely after the fireworks.

This storm is more of a wintertime storm than a spring tropical storm, and it may bring a welcome rain. Of course, the rain may not feel welcome on Israeli Independence day, but the weather doesn't usually pay attention to our personal plans.

Looking far ahead into next week, this rainy system should be followed by a period of warm days and cool nights.

Barry Lynn

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Weather It Is (Dust and Rain)

Good Afternoon:

The weather map continues to show change from one day to the next. For instance, Thursday will feature an influx of dust ahead of our next storm, to be followed by a period of light to moderate rainfall from the north to the center of the country.  The weather will then warm up early next week, cool off a bit, and then possibly cool off again ahead of our next (hopefully) more rainy weather system.

It seems that "spring-like" weather came early this year with storms preferring to coat us with dust, rather than liquid water.  It hasn't really rained since early February, which is about month and half too early in the season to end our rainy weather.

Otherwise, we've been providing dust forecast maps on our maps page. We're working to include this information directly in our forecasts on the main forecast page.

Lastly, we're considering to include in our forecasts the probability of missile attacks, depending on weather the new government treats these attacks like an act of nature, or not (Hamas).

Barry Lynn