Talking about the weather
11/06/16 05:24
I had a few chores that took me outdoors yesterday and the transition from the air conditioned office to the outside temperatures was fairly significant. With temperatures reaching records for this time of year in the high nineties, the interior of the car was well above that until its air conditioning got things cooled down. Working outside, even for just a few minutes, was enough to raise a sweat. I was grateful that we live on the west end of the state, where it is dry. The high temperatures combined with high humidities, such as were being experienced farther east must have left folks sweltering.
I don’t have enough experience or enough scientific knowledge to know whether the record high temperatures are part of overall global warming and climate change or just the particular weather pattern we’re experiencing this year. Likely there are many different factors.
More worrying to me than the high temperatures is the simple fact that the hills are so dry. The promise of rain showers in the early part of next week brings the threat of lightning strikes and it seems that things are already tinder dry in the woods. And it is just the beginning of June. We could have a long, hot and dry summer ahead of us.
For now at least the temperatures are dropping to comfortable levels every evening and we are able to open up the house and sleep comfortably.
The weather gives us an alternative to politics for our conversation. You’d think that there wouldn’t be much to say about the weather. We’re all in it together when it comes to the weather and simple observations give us similar facts. The question, “Is it hot enough for you?” is going to get old after another couple of months. Somehow, however, we continue to find connection with others by not just observing the current weather, but also by speculating about the future.
There is some hope in the forecasts. Following the driest May in the century or so that we have been keeping weather records in the hills, there are some who predict that we might see above average precipitation for much of the rest of the summer as monsoonal moisture makes its way up from the southwest. That would be welcome in the hills where we find ourselves sniffing the air for signs of smoke whenever it gets this dry.
Meanwhile my garden is doing well. The plants like the warm temperatures as long as they have enough moisture and while my lawn is getting pretty dry I have been able to keep the vegetable garden irrigated. As usual I have a great crop of weeds as well as the plants I have intentionally planted so there is plenty of work. Early mornings and evenings are very comfortable for a few minutes in the garden so I have no excuse except for my own laziness when it comes to the weeds.
Of course warm temperatures for me means that I think about the lake. While the lake temperatures are rising and the fish are starting to move toward the deeper areas away from the shore, there is still a very large body of relatively cool water. All it takes is a canoe and a paddle and one can have a very pleasant time. Of course the warm temperatures also brings out the jet skiers and water skiers and the pontoons filled with people seeking relief from the hot temperatures. Sheridan lake, where I usually paddle is relatively small and quick to fill up on the weekends. I’ll paddle early this morning to avoid the traffic and that means I’ll be off of the lake when the temperatures are at their peak. Still, I can’t complain. We are so fortunate to have such great recreational facilities so close to our home. My theory of “if your lake is too small get a smaller boat” applies. Even with the lake full of all kinds of traffic a few kids with a couple of air mattresses can have a really fun time in a corner of the lake. I recommend heading to the lake to everyone who complains about the temperatures.
Not everyone is comfortable on the water. I’ve had a number of conversations with folks who have expressed concern about the risks associated with canoeing. I have plenty of safety equipment and always wear my life vest when paddling. I’ve practiced all kinds of self-rescue techniques and know how to re enter and bail out my boat should I capsize. I simply don’t do much that gives me any reason for concern. Paddling on a lake is pretty tame compared to whitewater or surf paddling, both of which are also appealing to me. It is just that we don’t have a lot of either in our neighborhood.
From my point of view paddling for recreation isn’t any where near as dangerous as the warm weather activities of others in our community. Robert Gruss, bishop of our Roman Catholic diocese rides a big motorcycle and will be leading a poker run tomorrow to raise funds for a new building for the Newman Center on the Black Hills State University campus. I’m sure he’ll wear a helmet and riding with a lot of others gives visibility to the motorcycles which adds to the safety of the ride. Still, the adventure seems to carry with it a lot more risk than paddling a canoe across the lake.
Perhaps that is an entirely new topic of conversation for those of us seeking alternatives to what seems to be tired political rhetoric in this long electoral season. We can discuss the comparative risks of our recreational activities. Of course far more people are injured and killed in motorcycle accidents than in boating accidents. On the other hand, far more people ride motorcycles than paddle canoes, so the relative risk might not be as obvious as it seems.
It seems to be the season to make a pitcher of ice tea and invite the neighbors over for to sit on the deck and relax for a few minutes. With luck we’ll find a topic other than politics or the weather for our conversation.
I don’t have enough experience or enough scientific knowledge to know whether the record high temperatures are part of overall global warming and climate change or just the particular weather pattern we’re experiencing this year. Likely there are many different factors.
More worrying to me than the high temperatures is the simple fact that the hills are so dry. The promise of rain showers in the early part of next week brings the threat of lightning strikes and it seems that things are already tinder dry in the woods. And it is just the beginning of June. We could have a long, hot and dry summer ahead of us.
For now at least the temperatures are dropping to comfortable levels every evening and we are able to open up the house and sleep comfortably.
The weather gives us an alternative to politics for our conversation. You’d think that there wouldn’t be much to say about the weather. We’re all in it together when it comes to the weather and simple observations give us similar facts. The question, “Is it hot enough for you?” is going to get old after another couple of months. Somehow, however, we continue to find connection with others by not just observing the current weather, but also by speculating about the future.
There is some hope in the forecasts. Following the driest May in the century or so that we have been keeping weather records in the hills, there are some who predict that we might see above average precipitation for much of the rest of the summer as monsoonal moisture makes its way up from the southwest. That would be welcome in the hills where we find ourselves sniffing the air for signs of smoke whenever it gets this dry.
Meanwhile my garden is doing well. The plants like the warm temperatures as long as they have enough moisture and while my lawn is getting pretty dry I have been able to keep the vegetable garden irrigated. As usual I have a great crop of weeds as well as the plants I have intentionally planted so there is plenty of work. Early mornings and evenings are very comfortable for a few minutes in the garden so I have no excuse except for my own laziness when it comes to the weeds.
Of course warm temperatures for me means that I think about the lake. While the lake temperatures are rising and the fish are starting to move toward the deeper areas away from the shore, there is still a very large body of relatively cool water. All it takes is a canoe and a paddle and one can have a very pleasant time. Of course the warm temperatures also brings out the jet skiers and water skiers and the pontoons filled with people seeking relief from the hot temperatures. Sheridan lake, where I usually paddle is relatively small and quick to fill up on the weekends. I’ll paddle early this morning to avoid the traffic and that means I’ll be off of the lake when the temperatures are at their peak. Still, I can’t complain. We are so fortunate to have such great recreational facilities so close to our home. My theory of “if your lake is too small get a smaller boat” applies. Even with the lake full of all kinds of traffic a few kids with a couple of air mattresses can have a really fun time in a corner of the lake. I recommend heading to the lake to everyone who complains about the temperatures.
Not everyone is comfortable on the water. I’ve had a number of conversations with folks who have expressed concern about the risks associated with canoeing. I have plenty of safety equipment and always wear my life vest when paddling. I’ve practiced all kinds of self-rescue techniques and know how to re enter and bail out my boat should I capsize. I simply don’t do much that gives me any reason for concern. Paddling on a lake is pretty tame compared to whitewater or surf paddling, both of which are also appealing to me. It is just that we don’t have a lot of either in our neighborhood.
From my point of view paddling for recreation isn’t any where near as dangerous as the warm weather activities of others in our community. Robert Gruss, bishop of our Roman Catholic diocese rides a big motorcycle and will be leading a poker run tomorrow to raise funds for a new building for the Newman Center on the Black Hills State University campus. I’m sure he’ll wear a helmet and riding with a lot of others gives visibility to the motorcycles which adds to the safety of the ride. Still, the adventure seems to carry with it a lot more risk than paddling a canoe across the lake.
Perhaps that is an entirely new topic of conversation for those of us seeking alternatives to what seems to be tired political rhetoric in this long electoral season. We can discuss the comparative risks of our recreational activities. Of course far more people are injured and killed in motorcycle accidents than in boating accidents. On the other hand, far more people ride motorcycles than paddle canoes, so the relative risk might not be as obvious as it seems.
It seems to be the season to make a pitcher of ice tea and invite the neighbors over for to sit on the deck and relax for a few minutes. With luck we’ll find a topic other than politics or the weather for our conversation.