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Month: October 2017

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 South West Michigan – Halloween Trick, Snow

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 South West Michigan – Halloween Trick, Snow

Currently 33 with a WNW wind of 2.8 mph dropping that to feeling like 29. Dew Point 33, Humidity 100%, Barometer 29.44, Visibility 1 mi. 80% chance of rain showers mixed with snow showers. High around 40. W winds 5 – 10 mph with gusts to around 25.

40% chance of rain/snow showers. Low in the lower 30s. S winds 5 – 10 mph.

Indeed, it’s the day for scary stuff. And so, why not, Mother Nature? Toss the scariest into our weather mix. Yesterday at one point I looked out to see fat snow flakes falling. They quickly turned to sleet and then rain and then back. It was a messy day with no way of measuring snowfall, as it all blended together. It’s busy doing the same thing this morning.

Well, it was. Now it’s just snow. And for me, that’s scary. About as scary as it gets.

The beginning of what I am thinking will be a scary amount of snow in our area this year, at least compared to what we’ve had the past few years.

Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 South West Michigan – Darker Mornings Now

Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 South West Michigan – Darker Mornings Now

Currently 39 degrees with a WSW wind of 2.6 mph dropping that to feeling like 36. Dew Point 39, Humidity 100%, Barometer 29.49, Visibility 5 mi, Sunrise 8:13 am, Sunset 6:36 pm. 80% chance of off and on rain showers. High mid 40s. W winds 5 – 15 mph with gusts to 30.

60% chance of rain showers tonight possibly mixed with off and on snow showers. Low mid 30s. W winds 10 – 15 mph with gusts to 30.

Dark. It’s so dark in the mornings already. When my alarm clock radio comes on I keep thinking it has to be a mistake. But alas….it isn’t. Heading into our annual winter solstice – when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun as the Earth continues on its orbit.

There is no way I can wake up happy and cheerful when it’s dark outside. I try. And I quickly talk myself into being grateful for another day in which to wake up, but it’s a bit of a struggle getting to that point.

There should be a law. A firm law about it always being light by at least 7:00am – always and without fail. I want to see light, hear birds chirping, feel like I’m not being asked to crawl out of bed in the dead of night.

I’m actually lucky now that I’m not out in the full-time work force, I can stay curled up in bed until the light starts to filter through if I choose to do so. And I usually do. I so recall the days of waking up in the dark and driving home from work in the dark. Felt like I lived in a cave. I hated it. Now I’m more flexible and can come and go in the daylight.

But dang. It’s dark in the mornings. And I’m still hating it.

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 South West Michigan – A Few Snowflakes In With Rain

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 South West Michigan – A Few Snowflakes In With Rain

Currently 39 degrees with an E wind of 5 mph not bothering that, leaving it at feeling like 39. Dew Point 38, Humidity 95%, Barometer 29.79, Visibility 10 mi, Sunrise 8:12 am, Sunset 6:38 pm. Mostly cloudy with a 20% chance of isolated rain showers until midday. High min 40s. Light winds.

Cloudy with a 70% chance of overnight rain showers. Low upper 30s. Light winds becoming SW 5 -10 mph.

Yesterday morning – while my heat was out and was expecting a repair man – wouldn’t you know it? – I saw, mixed in with the rain, some maverick snowflakes. Now why there were here and not in Duluth or someplace where it was really snowing, and where, perhaps, it was more appreciated that here, I do not know. They had absolutely no business showing up so early in the season. None. None at all.

You know, I’m all right with snow once the first real snow falls. It’s as if a switch is turned inside and I’m able to come to grips as best as I can with the fact that it’s winter and winter it will stay until spring. But not yet. Not with this sneaky attack stuff. Snowflakes mixing in with the rain is not cricket. And not appreciated.

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 South West Michigan – More Rain, Possible Snow Mix

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 South West Michigan – More Rain, Possible Snow Mix

Currently 35 degrees with a SSE wind of 6 mph pushing that number down to feeling like 29. Dew Point 35, Humidity 100%, Barometer 29.7, Visibility 5 mi, Sunrise 8:11 am, Sunset 6:39 pm. 80% chance of rain showers, possibly mixed with snow through early afternoon, then rain showers. High mid 40s. S winds 10 – 15 mph becoming W 5 – 10 with gusts to 25.

50% chance of scattered showers overnight, low mid 30s. W winds around 10 mph.

I’m trying to adjust to this seasonal temperature shift . Truly I am. But it’s getting cold already. And I hate being cold. I mean, I HATE being cold. If there is a word stronger to express how I feel about feeling cold, I can’t think of it. Hmmmmm….no, casting about in my vocabulary, there is nothing to suffice my true feeling regarding being cold. Oh…some I can’t use in a polite society, but those don’t really count.

Winter brings on the need for heavy clothes and for some reason wearing heavy clothes saps the energy right out of me. It does. I lose my energy and will or desire to do anything. They evidently weigh me down in some way that I don’t understand. Now fleece – fleece has to be the greatest thing ever invented as far as I’m concerned. Light weight and warm. My life, from now through spring my life revolves around fleece.

In the meantime, I’m trying. I’m really trying to get with the program with nature and adjust.

Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 South West Michigan – Rain Here, But Snow Elsewhere

Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 South West Michigan – Rain Here, But Snow Elsewhere

Currently 46 degrees with a W wind of 4 mph pulling that down to feeling like 44. Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain showers. High in the upper 40s. SW winds 10 -15 mph with gusts to 25.

Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain showers. Low in the mid 30s. SW winds 5 – 15 mph.

Although we’re a tad weary of so much rain here right now, at least so far we haven’t any snow to start being tired of. I have heard that we might see some snow mixed in with the rain tonight and tomorrow, but nothing like they’re seeing in Minn. and what is forecast for the East Coast. Very cold air swooping down out of Canada. Snow. Good grief! Winter appears to be far too eager to move on stage this year.

So not ready for this wintry weather to put in an appearance already. Of course, I’m never ready, but especially not in October. No, no, a thousand times no! (And as usual, the powers that be fail to pay heed to my unhappy thoughts. Hmph! Inconsiderate. Just plain inconsiderate.)

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 South West Michigan – Some Sun, Some Clouds

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 South West Michigan – Some Sun, Some Clouds

Currently 38 degrees, feeling like 38 degrees with an E wind of 1 mph. Dew Point 37, Humidity 95%, Barometer 29.86, Visibility 10 mi, Sunrise 8:10 am, Sunset 6:42 pm. Sunny for the most part this morning, more clouds moving in this afternoon. High in the lower 50s. SE winds 5 – 10 mph.

Mostly cloudy tonight with a 20% chance of overnight rain. Low in the lower 40s. SE winds 10 – 15 mph.

Like the skies above us, so it is with us down here below. Some news is like the sunshine, bright and cheery, some like the clouds when they move in, blocking the light, the cheer. The only good thing is, clouds finally move on, clear out. And almost always that bad news moves on too.  And although it might leave scars, like those heavy, dark clouds leave behind rain or snow, that, too, eventually moves on into memory.

The sunny days, the news that is good and positive, those things we need to hold dear to help us though the darker times.

These sunny days this far into October, with temperatures up into the 50s? Oh my yes, these classify as the good times and they will most certainly be needed before too long when the clouds thicken and darken and bring what so many of us consider the bad times of winter.

Going to enjoy this morning for all it’s worth!

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 South West Michigan – Record Rainfalls

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 South West Michigan – Record Rainfalls

Currently 39 degrees with a W wind of 5 mph dragging that down to feeling like 35. Dew Point 40, Humidity 90%, Barometer 29.7, Visibility 10 mi, Sunrise 8:07 am, Sunset 6:44 pm. 20% chance of rain today, high upper 40s. NW winds 5 -10 mph with gusts to 20.

Partly cloudy tonight, low lower 30s. Light winds.

Well, this has been a soggy month of October so far. We’ve been busy setting records for rainfall. I’ve measured over 8 1/2″ of rain this month and it’s not over yet. No wonder there are flood warnings all over the place – and through Sunday now.

Only good thing here is that it’s been rain and not snow. I’m starting to see that dirty word crop up in the weather forecasts here and there already and I’m not liking it. Not any better this year than last year, or the year before that or…

In the meantime, it’s water, water everywhere hereabouts.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 South West Michigan – Lots Of Local Flooding

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 South West Michigan – Lots Of Local Flooding

Currently 46 with a S wind of less than 1 mph making no difference so it feels like 46. Dew Point 46, Humidity 100%, Barometer 29.4, Visibility 4 mi, Sunrise 8:06 am, Sunset 6:45 pm. 100% chance of more rain today, high in the lower 50s. W winds 5 – 15 mph with gusts to 25 in the afternoon. Flood Warnings are in place all over the place.

90% chance of overnight rain. Low around 40. W winds 10 – 20 decreasing to 5 – 15 after midnight.

Measured 2.45″ of rain in the gauge since yesterday’s measurement.

Calico Colors

This huge amount of rain we’re getting – better than 3 ¼” so far in the past couple of days, with another day of it coming – has managed to bring down leaves galore. It’s lovely out there on the lawn. Looks a bit like a patchwork quilt.

Of course, now living in an apartment, I’m not in charge of raking and disposing of the colorful bits of nature, so my appreciation for them has grown considerably.

Watching them spiral down in the rain, decorating the grass? A wonder to behold.

This much rain with flood warnings littering the area? Not so much of a wonder as a bother and a worry.

Alas, can’t have it all fun and games, can we?

Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 South West Michigan – A Rainy Couple Of Days

Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 South West Michigan – A Rainy Couple Of Days

Currently 50 degrees with a N wind of 8 mph ignoring that, so it feels like the 50 it is. Dew Point 53, Humidity 100%, Barometer 29.82, Visibility 2 mi, Sunrise 8:05 am, Sunset 6:46 pm. Rain today. 1 – 2″ possible. (Measured .75″ overnight) High 57. NNE wind 10 -20 mph.

Rain tonight. Low 47. NNW wind 10 -20 mph with another 1/2″ of rain expected.

A Flood Watch is in effect through Tuesday evening.

Glad I’m Not A Bird.  Granted, birds get to travel a lot more than I do, and they have the chance to view the world in ways I can’t, but at least I can enjoy my breakfast from inside where it’s warm and dry.

These poor, soggy creatures are out there feeding in the rain whether they like it or not. And I’m sure they don’t. Why would they?  I’ve seen them get blown off course and completely miss the feeders when the wind is sharp and steady, but at least today, it’s only the rain they must contend with. The wind is calm but the rain is steady. And I’m sure the rain is plenty enough for them to have to deal with.

On the weather map, showing a huge blob of color indicating rain  funneling up from the gulf coast, seemingly without end, this rain is going to keep on falling here. As the birds are going to have to keep on eating. Rain or no rain.

Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 South West Michigan – Anticipating Rain

Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 South West Michigan – Anticipating Rain

Currently 68 degrees with a S wind of 8 making no difference, so it feels like 68. Dew Point 55, Humidity 64%, Barometer 29.95, Visibility 10 mi, Sunrise 8:03 am, Sunset 6:48 pm. Mostly sunny this morning with a 70% chance of rain showers this afternoon. High lower 70s. S winds 5 – 15 mph with gusts to 30.

90% chance of overnight rain showers. Low lower 50s. NW winds 5 – 10 mph.

Okay, so right now, the local weather gurus appear to be anticipating a big bunch of rain ‘cause there is already a Flood Watch in effect from Monday morning through Tuesday – without a single drop of rain having fallen. In fact, our sky is barely showing signs of clouds floating by.  And in our area, that’s a tad tricky as way too often weather systems seem to by-pass us entirely, leaving us wondering why we seem to be in a strange weatherish donut hole.

Anticipation is a good thing -we anticipate Santa’s visit on Christmas, the coming of Spring, a good night’s sleep. We count on looking forward to all sorts of things. Sometimes they materialize, sometimes not so much. If anything our local meteorologists are confident in their ability to decipher weather systems as they meet and mesh and….well, like I mentioned, sometimes miss us. And you have to hand it to them for that. It’s good to be confident. So we’ll see how close they come with this one.

Got my rain gauge at the ready, just in case.