Saturday, September 27, 2014

Weather It Is (That First Storm)

Good Evening:

After a topsy-turvy period of weather  (did you pray for cool weather?),  cool fall air will dive southward tomorrow, bringing with it rain to the north and the possibility of showers in the centre.  The period of cool weather will last into Tuesday morning before temperatures moderate a bit.

Looking farther ahead, we see temperatures cooling off at 500 mb, while remaining a bit tropical at 850 mb. This could lead to some instability related rain showers.

There could even be a heavier shower in the Arava, so stay tuned if you're heading south for some hiking during the next day or two.

Barry Lynn

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Weather It Is (Headed Into Next Year)

Good Afternoon:

Relatively warm temperatures are blanketing this part of the world.  The warm air is courtesy of high pressure situated over northern Africa, resulting in a clockwise flow of warm southwesterly air.  Of course, "old-timers" will tell you we've had worse at this time of year (and we have).

The high pressure will remain in place and influence through Saturday, so air conditioners will probably get a good work out until then.  Still, today may be the hottest day of the period.

The morning I arrived bright and early at Rami Levy was not nearly so warm; in fact the temperatures were quite pleasant.  And, I was pleased to drive right in and have my pick of the parking spaces -- what luck!  I strode quickly to the cart station, "paid" my 5 NIS, and continued, but with shorter strides to the entrance (being careful not to bump my shins on the food cart).

I was the first one in, but I had to wait half an hour (until 7:30, opening time).

Still, it was a rewarding experience in more ways than one.  I arrived home within the hour, my sleigh full of new New Year's items, and quickly unpacked and put away all of the perishables.  But then, a strange thing happened: I felt my heart grow two sizes larger and so before the morning was finished I put away every last item, from jars to bags, and other odd shaped things.

I even cleaned up the back yard and front yard, hopefully completing the process of Teshuva (and, apparently, exempting myself from needing to go to Slichot services anymore).  It's good that I did because a rather potent storm should end our period of early fall warm weather. Right now, it is forecast to bring rain up the far north, but we'll keep an eye on this storm to see if it might shift south a bit.

In any case, next week looks to be a good deal cooler than this week's heat.

Shana Tova,

Barry Lynn

Friday, September 19, 2014

Weather It Is (Still Time)

Good Afternoon:

The breeze is still quite fresh, while fair-weather clouds dot the mostly blue sky.

We're hoping to see some rain greet the new year, but only light-scattered showers are possible as fall cool air settles in from the northwest..  A good rain would turn the countryside green, but this is not likely.

One place full of green in the English country side.  We had the privilege of watching Jane Austin's "Pride and Prejudice."  Apparently my wife learned a new word: "appreciation."  While not referring to me as "Mr. Lynn," she did say that she would appreciate it if I would clean half the counter.  I was so shocked I almost forgot to do it.

On the other hand, not all is well.  Thinking that now (still a few days from the New Year) would be a good time to head over to "Rami-Levy Supermarkets" I made my intention known to Miss Geveret.  Her reply: "it's too late to do 'Teshuva' (repent)."

I beg to disagree: there is still time to take that first step towards a better me.

Yet -- as mentioned -- we still can't get a good fix on the weather as we move past Rosh Hashannah, other than that a slight warming trend appears likely.  Other Mr. Husbands must decide quickly to head over to Rami-Levy while there is still time.

Shabbat Shalom/Shana Tova,

Barry Lynn

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Weather It Is (A Flirtation Comes To An End)

Good Evening:

Our brief flirtation with summer will end tonight as much cooler air is ushered in on westerly winds.

Tomorrow will be about 10 degrees colder than today; one can already smell the change in the air -- as the wind begins to rustle the trees in its refreshing breezes.

Looking further ahead shows the likelihood of a slight warming trend for the New Year, but nothing can be said without much certainty except that the New Year will not immediately bring a cleansing rain.

Shana Tova,

Barry Lynn

Monday, September 15, 2014

Weather It Is (Just A Slight Chance)

Good Morning:

The latest forecast shows just a small chance of light showers.

However, be careful if it does shower -- the roads can become very slippery as the oil rises to the road surface.

Barry Lynn

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Weather It Is (Showers of Repentance)

Good Evening:

Some early fall (season) instability will arrive tonight and tomorrow.  The wind will blow and it might even feel like a light jacket is called for.

The forecast models show some light rain showers, with the highest probability along the coast and in the central mountains.

Now that the African National Congress of South Africa has decided to brand us an "Apartheid" state, I have instructed our meteorological workers to make sure that any (or our)  rain clouds do not cross the border into the area of Palestinian Authority.  I really feel that if various segments of the world population would prefer to falsely accuse us of this or that "crime against humanity" that we really ought to take advantage of it -- and the weather is as a good of place to start as any.

Looking ahead, we see a a week's worth of cool fall weather and then as the New Year arrives the weather pattern shows a split -- where the weather could turn relatively cool or warm.  It is obvious that we are in a period of weather repentance, where we all need to ask ourselves: were you happy with the weather you had?  Or, perhaps, you felt that the weather on your neighbour's side of the fence was a bit better than your own.

I am sure that with proper introspection (from all) that the weather pattern will stabilise and I will again be able to predict the weather with much greater certainty.

Barry Lynn

Friday, September 5, 2014

Weather It Is (Men Must Rest)

Good Afternoon:

It is a tad warm out there.  However, temperatures will be dropping  several digits from this afternoon through tomorrow afternoon.  In fact, Shabbat should be one of those beautiful weather days one wishes would come around more often.

Speaking of Shabbat, I was accused on committing a "grave" sin sometime ago.  I was hesitant to write about it, being quite a bit embarrassed.

To appreciate the context, one has to understand that when it comes to completing a task, women have the tenacity of a bull-dog,  the persistence of a cat, and the steadfastness of an ant.  Men, in comparison, are like hares. They engage in frenetic activity, but must rest often.

It happened that after a night with too few hours of sleep, an arduous morning of davening, and a long walk around Efrat, I set it my task to set the Shabbat table.  It was hard work: the table is not close to the kitchen, and moving a fork or two, a plate or two, or even some condiment or other was not an easy task.  I rested often, stopping to read the newspaper.

After one of my breaks, I happen to get up (I had more energy because I had almost completed my efforts), when my wife appeared.  And then it happened: I was "accused" of getting up to "work" because I had heard her coming down the stairs.

Of course, none of these accusations would have flown had my wife truly understood (or it is appreciated?) the crucial differences between men and women when it comes to finishing even such a simple task as setting the Shabbat table.

Since then, I have managed to surpass these difficulties, helped out by a rather stagnant weather pattern that brings neither too hot nor cool weather -- nothing to raise the ire.  Looking ahead, we see a slight increase in instability over the next two weeks, but nothing to get bent out of shape about.

Barry Lynn

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Weather It Is (Wives Are Wiser)

Good Morning:

It is said that women are wise, wives are wiser, and young ladies are on their way to wisdom. Thus, it was with much appreciation when I heard from my wife and youngest daughter that winter had arrived, and that winter showers were on their way.  Not understanding that women (and even young ladies) can be impulsive,  I dutifully reported this weather-scoop to you.  True, our forecast maps did show some light rain, but a less emotional hand would have also held the wheel a little more firmly, tacking with the wind -- which was set to move the developing clouds into the late summer/dry desert air. Hence, a more wise word to the wind would have been: winter's here, but any rain drops will probably evaporate before reaching the ground.

Of course, men like to think that they are wise too.  In fact, many men equate money with wisdom, without considering how much more successful women just might be if they spent as much time "making a living" as men -- rather than ensuring that the next generation will know how to spend their money and time wisely and kindly.  If you're not convinced, a couple of examples will follow.

After falling on a slippery floor -- on her head, and being saved by the gallant, courageous, and intrepid Dr. Glick, my wife returned home with 11 stitches.  Being the wise person she is, she noted that the best way to treat accidents is to prevent them, and she sent me out for a floor mat.  Now, she was standing in front of the meat sink, so I immediately dashed out of the house, and was pleased to be able to purchase a spanking new (and quite ethestic ) floor mat from "Big-Deal" Efrat.  Returning truimphantly  to my house with this purchase, she reminded me that we have two sinks, to which I could only reply that she made her request standing in front of one.

Another example:  I can be in the kitchen washing the dishes, emptying the dishwasher, cooking, or preparing school food, when the wife arrives.  These, one might think, are very useful things. Obviously, I am really not that smart, as I inevitably am told that I am in her way, and what am doing there at that time in particular, anyway.  A truly wise man would know when the wife is about to arrive and take appropriate action.

I will -- for a first -- wisely end here, but mention that there is absolutely no weather expected for the next two weeks. If expectations are not met, I'll let you know.

Barry Lynn