The weather has been in the news a lot lately. The Polar vortex hit the Midwest with a blast of arctic temperatures starting at a minus 24. Then the wind blew fiercely and the wind chill plunged the already freezing temperature down to minus 40!
Huge snow snow storms dropped up to 30 inches of snow on the East Coast, along with lots of snow in the south. Did you know that snow storms have names, just like hurricanes. Our most recent ones were Harper and Indra. Snowstorms didn’t used to have names, but the Weather Channel, beginning in 2012, began naming snowstorms that will affect a lot of people.
Freezing temperatures create ice sculptures on trees, yet the sky in the background is such a pure blue.
The Left or West Coast doesn’t want to be left out, so this year we have been soaked by severe storms. I know you Mid westerners and East Coasters are no longer in awe of thunder storms. But, let me tell you, in 40 years of living in Southern California, there were perhaps two thunderstorms–with real thunder. This past year, we have been thundered upon, several times.
The loud boom is so unexpected, that it startles everyone. When lightening strikes, you feel as if a strobe light just passed you. And strangely, your first thought is why am I in a 70’s nightclub? You don’t think lightning.
These weather patterns create wonderful vistas of the skies. The cooler air and cloud cover create spectacular sunsets and all over the country. Number One took this picture. See the birds flying–trying to get closer to the sun where it is warmer.
Number one took this view from our balcony at 5:00 a.m.
Surprise! It was 35 degrees this morning in Carlsbad!!! Dang, that is cold! The clouds create spectacular sunrises, too.
However, we were presented with a beautiful surprising gift a few days ago. After very heavy rain and thunder, a huge complete rainbow arced in the northeast.
Not only were we given one rainbow, but a second complete complete arc appeared above the first. I have never seen a complete rainbow, let alone two complete ones!
You could even see where the rainbow stopped. We all wished we were the people at the end of the rainbow getting our wishes and pots of gold.
It is beautiful, but the picture doesn’t reveal the vibrant colors of the bottom rainbow. It was as if God dipped a brush in wet paint and brushed it across the sky.
Storms are uncomfortable and sometimes very dangerous, but our latest storms have painted the sky with deep reds, oranges and yellows and topped it off with two vivid, multicolored rainbows.
So, next time, you hear that a storm is coming, make sure you look to the skies and see what a beautiful palette of colors we have been gifted.