Sunday, July 31, 2016

Weather It Is (Too Hot For the Dog)

Good Morning:

Yesterday was simply too hot for the dog.  She lay panting on the floor, barely moving from noon until the evening.

Actually, it was too hot for many of us, and yet, it wasn't your typical hot day.  Instead, it was both warm and humid.  We noted 32 C with 51% humidity and a heat index of 34 Celsius.  Usually, when it's hot in Jerusalem it's also relatively dry in Jerusalem, so the heat (when it comes) is a bit more bearable.

Yesterday, though, was simply uncomfortable, as the winds were strong enough to transport moisture from the Mediterranean all the way into the mountain areas.

Tomorrow temperatures will be rising again as low pressure to our east builds to the west.  The hottest temperatures will probably be in the mountain areas, as off-shore winds (sea-breezes) keep things a bit cooler in the coastal plain.  However, "down-there" the humidity will be quite high, so residents of the coastal plain will not be able to enjoy the somewhat moderate temperatures.

However, the hot weather will be short-lived, as by late Tuesday the temperatures will start to head down as winds strengthen from the west in response to low pressure deepening over the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean.  The cool temperatures will be especially noticeable from Thursday into next Sunday.

This will make our dog happy. Moreover, she's scheduled for a haircut at the Holyland Poodle Professional Grooming Salon. The combination of being nicely coiffed with cooler temperatures would any person -- and certainly any dog -- feel better.

Shavua Tov,

Barry Lynn

Friday, July 22, 2016

Weather It Is (Great Weather!)

Good Afternoon:

This is certainly great weather!

Low pressure situation to our north is funnelling relatively cool winds into our region. It's 28 Celsius with 44% humidity and northwesterly winds at 19 km/h.  Absolutely gorgeous weather.

The low pressure will weaken late Sunday, which will allow the desert low to our east to nudge back to the west, which will bring hotter weather (but not too hot) for Monday into Friday. Shabbat may turn a bit hotter, but no real heat is indicated.

After six years, I've started to play Friday morning softball again. The kids are a bit older and I have a small window to return to my younger days.  The amazing thing is how much the players care to win, even though it is still a game.  It is nice to be able to forget -- at least for a while -- some of the difficulties we experience while living here. Of course, Simchot also bring a level of happiness one doesn't remember while living in the old country.

Shabbat Shalom,

Barry Lynn

Monday, July 18, 2016

Weather It Is (Nice Weather)

Good Afternoon:

The weather is nice and it should remain this way for the next three or four days on relatively cool northwesterly breezes.

Looking further ahead, low pressure situated to our east will begin to push back westward.  Right now, it looks like it will bring several days of hot, but not too hot weather.  In other words, instead of feeling like a warm spring day, the weather will feel more like summer.

Yesterday a disaster was averted.  Not the kind that Mother Nature brings, unless you consider the Palestinians part of the natural world.  Unfortunately, they and their ilk are far too prevalent..  I read in the J. Post that a simple solution (or aid) would be for the government to fix the holes in the fence, as well as complete the fence, preventing both terrorists and 60,000 or so undocumented workers from making their way to Jerusalem and the coastal plain.

I am not sure if such a simple solution would work, but one wonders if our leadership really appreciates or even understands the pain terrorist victims and their families undergo.  You see, while most of us read about a terror attack and feel terrible for the victims, the pain recedes over time (although I must admit to still being troubled at times, even long after).  However,  for the families, the person never comes back and the pain never goes away.  Maybe it dulls a bit -- maybe -- but it never goes away and it can't (this is especially so with children, for obvious reasons).

Barry Lynn

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Weather It Is (Heat, Wind, and Dust)

Good Afternoon:

Low pressure located to our east will expand westward bringing uncomfortably hot temperatures on Friday.  However, the heat will be short-lived, as a cool front will bring somewhat cooler temperatures for Shabbat.  Temperatures should then fall through Monday, which may bring a slight chill to the air mornings early next week.

We're not going to warm up until the end of next week, and at the moment there is about a 70% chance July will end on neither a hot nor cool note.

In the meantimes, please be aware that the upcoming heat will arrive with enhanced dust levels from the Sinai and Saudia Arabia.

There will also be strong winds, which combined with the heat should bring a heightened fire risk.

I was away, and have been a bit under the weather (with a virus).  These reasons combined with a relative lack of weather has reduced the frequency of the blog output.

I didn't even take note of the murder of the 13 year old girl (Hallel Yaffe Ariel) from Kiryat Arba.  The worst part of this is that there never seems to be a point when we say enough (!), perhaps, because what we might like to do and what we can actually do (given a bit of rational reasoning) are not the same.  But, this just ignores the real problem, which is that Palestinian culture (and Arab/Islamic  culture in general) encourages far too many people to take what we consider amoral actions.  Of course, to them, they are acting in the highest moral plane.  But, then again, the Germans thought so too.

Barry Lynn

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Weather It Is (Summertime)

Good Afternoon:

Not much going on here.  We've settled into our summertime pattern.  This means low pressure off to our east, but not too close.

The results is west to northwesterly winds off the sea, which brings warm (but not to hot) and humid temperatures to the coastal cities, and warm and dry air to mountains.

We don't see any major changes coming in the next week or two, except for some additional warming aloft (meaning fewer clouds).

Hopefully, we on't have too many surprises this summer.

Barry Lynn