Saturday, April 07, 2007, 03:38
Still in the Deep Freeze
It's still cold here. The wind was blowing 20 to 30 mph out of the north/northwest again today, and the high was only in the mid-20s. The sun was shining, but it didn't help much with all of that cold wind.
Thursday the wind had died down, so even though the air temperature was still cold (mid 20s) without that wind and with the sunshine, it felt much nicer outside.
I heard the weather forecaster at 6 p.m. say we are under an Arctic vortex. I've never heard that one before -- an Arctic vortex. Seems like that would explain a lot. Of course, two-thirds of the United States, the forecasters say, is under the influence of the same Arctic vortex. So everyone is experiencing the cold.
One of the subscribers to my Rural Route 2 Newsletter sent me a link for an article about Missouri. The article said that with the earlier warm weather, many people had purchased plants and trees and had already planted them outside. And now the plants and trees are all getting frozen.
And here I thought I was going to get "more April" this year. At this rate, I'm going to get less April! It feels like January or February instead of April.
Isabelle and Kajun don't know what to do with themselves. They stay huddled up out of the wind and can't even enjoy the sunshine much because the wind is so cold. I'm glad the horses haven't shed out more of their winter hair than what they've already shed.
I'm also glad Randy didn't clip Charlie during the warm weather spell. He would be one mighty cold Springer spaniel if didn't have his winter coat right now. Pixie always wears her long Sheltie coat, although in the spring, she sheds out the under-hair. She hasn't started shedding yet, though.
The poor daylilies by the house grew to be about six inches high when the weather was warmer. They're frozen now. I know they'll come back, though. Daylilies are quite tough.
I fear for my lilac buds. I don't think the flower buds are as tough as the daylilies. I suppose the lilacs will get leaves later. But I won't hold my breath waiting for flowers.
LeAnn R. Ralph
Wednesday, April 04, 2007, 13:32
Windchill Factor
This is ridiculous. Early last week it was 80 degrees. This morning it is 10 degrees Fahrenheit and there's still a 20 to 30 mph wind blowing out of the west/northwest. So we actually have a below zero windchill. In April. That's a difference of 90 degrees. In one week.
If people in this part of the world don't all end up sick, it will be a miracle. Although I have heard there's a nasty virus going around now that causes bronchitis.
I really did think I was finished for the winter with bringing frozen horse buckets into our walk-out basement to thaw them out. Obviously I'm not. Well, at least the mud is frozen now.
And good thing the LP driver from the Farmer's Union filled the LP tank last week before the April 1 cutoff for delivering prepaid fuel! With such a strong cold wind, the furnace is going to be working hard today to keep the house warm.
Furnaces, in my opinion, are quite simply the most wonderful thing. I love my furnace. In fact, I love it so much, maybe I ought to spend most of the day huddled up by the heat vent in the bathroom with my cat, Guinevere. She loves the furnace too.
LeAnn R. Ralph