Showing posts with label wind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wind. Show all posts
7/16/16
1/28/15
11/14/14
10/13/13
8/3/13
7/8/13
Fire On The Mountain
Lightning in the air...
In memoriam: Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew, Prescott, Arizona.
In memoriam: Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew, Prescott, Arizona.
6/29/13
6/24/13
5/23/13
4/25/13
5/13/12
2/8/12
10/17/11
10/5/11
Urban Desert Revival
Dust storm followed by rain changes the season...
Yesterday was quite the day for weather in Phoenix tipping the balance from hot urban heat island summer to cool winter. Simply put we only have two seasons here: very hot summer and temperate winter; for all practical purposes we skip the in between seasons. The leaves on deciduous trees don't turn and drop off until late November and then bud green and mature in late March. During four blasting months of summer we get cabin fever in the reverse of colder climates since June through September our temperatures are in triple digits ranging around 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius). We get some rain but due to the urban heat island effect most rainfall doesn't move into the city so we get dust storms instead.
Yesterday was a classic shift of weather in from one season to another that occurs with a transitioning storm. In the morning a balmy wind started blowing and the sky was overcast and appeared as if we were getting another mild dust storm. It turned out to be a full blown dust storm by midday slowing and even stopping freeways and enveloping the city obscuring buildings and distant mountains. After the storm blew through there was a brief period of weak sun but by late afternoon storm clouds were gathering. Around 17:30 from on top of my roof I could see rain falling in spot cells off in the distance. Then the unique tint that comes from the desert sky when weather is mixing cast over the desert floor in its beautiful way.
A little while later came steady rain washing summer's dust and grime off roofs, streets, trees and ground giving everything a good wash down. This storm brought with it cooler air from Alaska no less and we had turned the page from our long parched summer to the fair pleasant cool season starting our winter. All summer scorched time has stood still while we waited for salvation from the weather and now it is time for our winter revival.
Yesterday was quite the day for weather in Phoenix tipping the balance from hot urban heat island summer to cool winter. Simply put we only have two seasons here: very hot summer and temperate winter; for all practical purposes we skip the in between seasons. The leaves on deciduous trees don't turn and drop off until late November and then bud green and mature in late March. During four blasting months of summer we get cabin fever in the reverse of colder climates since June through September our temperatures are in triple digits ranging around 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius). We get some rain but due to the urban heat island effect most rainfall doesn't move into the city so we get dust storms instead.
A little while later came steady rain washing summer's dust and grime off roofs, streets, trees and ground giving everything a good wash down. This storm brought with it cooler air from Alaska no less and we had turned the page from our long parched summer to the fair pleasant cool season starting our winter. All summer scorched time has stood still while we waited for salvation from the weather and now it is time for our winter revival.
9/19/11
City of Rocks
Boulders crafted by nature 35 million years ago...
There are only six places in the world with rock formations like these boulders and one is in New Mexico. Created by a huge explosion named after what it formed, the Kneeling Nun monolith, the volcanic ash was roughcast by wind, water and time leaving these stone monuments to sit in a grassland plain. They rise up in chimera as if ancient secrets are hidden in recesses with passages that wind around to wander and wonder if they hold some answer to an unknown question.
Over centuries people have sought shelter and protection among these geologic pinnacles from weather and animals of prey. Among them were the Mimbres Indians who left behind arrowheads, pottery shards and
mortars ground into the stone formations by pestling seeds into flour. The mortars are called "Indian Wells" since water collects in them after it rains. Apaches later came to the area. During the 1500s Spanish conquistadors passing by left carved crosses in the lava and soon after Spaniard settlers arrived. In the early 19th century mining began in nearby Santa Rita.
The area is rich in flora and fauna occupied by eagles and hawks, horned owls, roadrunners and cactus wrens. Squirrels, jackrabbits, packrats, mule deer, javelinas and coyotes call the area home where many types of snakes are also found alongside a wide variety of lizards. Yucca and ocotillo, barrel and hedgehog cacti, century plants and desert willow surround the rocks among the grama grass. Within the passageways of the rocks emory and gray oaks grow. A trail goes to a desert botanical garden.
The City of Rocks has been a New Mexico State Park since 1952. Located in the Mimbres Valley near Bayard. It is in the far reaches of the Chihuahuan desert at an elevation of 5200 feet with mild winters and warm
summers. The unique geography makes for imaginative exploration of the volcanic ash formations thrusting up into the air and trailing the surrounding area. Clear night sky star gazing chances an "ah ha!" moment on ancient pathways.
There are only six places in the world with rock formations like these boulders and one is in New Mexico. Created by a huge explosion named after what it formed, the Kneeling Nun monolith, the volcanic ash was roughcast by wind, water and time leaving these stone monuments to sit in a grassland plain. They rise up in chimera as if ancient secrets are hidden in recesses with passages that wind around to wander and wonder if they hold some answer to an unknown question.
Over centuries people have sought shelter and protection among these geologic pinnacles from weather and animals of prey. Among them were the Mimbres Indians who left behind arrowheads, pottery shards and
The City of Rocks has been a New Mexico State Park since 1952. Located in the Mimbres Valley near Bayard. It is in the far reaches of the Chihuahuan desert at an elevation of 5200 feet with mild winters and warm
8/19/11
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