This makes me think of when we rode our motorcycle on vacations. The temperature variances is very evident when you have your face in the wind. Plus like what you experienced it could be dramatic on what the weather around you is doing.
When I was learning to fly in the PNW, my instructor and I both had a penchant for making up words and phrases to describe weather. One, I made up is “Scud Monkeys”, as in “Be careful, The Scud Monkeys are out today.”
Scud monkeys are similar to the virga in your recent article; they are those low raggedy dark grey tails of wet stratus we often see riding across the sky in the fall and winter. The reference to monkeys, of course, is to those scary flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. Scud Monkeys come out on our wet dreary days in the PNW and warn of wet weather, south winds and low ceilings.
I am looking forward to seeing “Scud Monkeys” promulgated in PNW weather literature moving forward. BTW: The Scud Monkeys are out today, riding south to north over west seattle at the moment.
I like that term and will try to use it. Another descriptor for virga I have come across is Jellyfish Rain, though it should probably be Jellies Rain, since I have heard that jellies is a bit more correct, but I also think it's a matter of opinion not fact.
Yes, you have done a great job here linking small observations to the extremely concerning environmental crisis that humans now face.
My career was spent in computer graphics and this has left me fascinated by tiny details in nature that
result from the reflection, absorption and refraction of light. The tiny crescent shaped shadows of leaves during a solar eclipse come in mind! This is my way of saying I appreciate your attention to
David, what I particularly like about this piece are the observations about snowfall that we all have in common, while putting them into context of our urban landscape. The patterns are obvious, it's just that we don't take the time to consider them. That's what a naturalist does.
This makes me think of when we rode our motorcycle on vacations. The temperature variances is very evident when you have your face in the wind. Plus like what you experienced it could be dramatic on what the weather around you is doing.
Thanx for the walk down memory lane!
a weather phrase for you -
When I was learning to fly in the PNW, my instructor and I both had a penchant for making up words and phrases to describe weather. One, I made up is “Scud Monkeys”, as in “Be careful, The Scud Monkeys are out today.”
Scud monkeys are similar to the virga in your recent article; they are those low raggedy dark grey tails of wet stratus we often see riding across the sky in the fall and winter. The reference to monkeys, of course, is to those scary flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. Scud Monkeys come out on our wet dreary days in the PNW and warn of wet weather, south winds and low ceilings.
I am looking forward to seeing “Scud Monkeys” promulgated in PNW weather literature moving forward. BTW: The Scud Monkeys are out today, riding south to north over west seattle at the moment.
I like that term and will try to use it. Another descriptor for virga I have come across is Jellyfish Rain, though it should probably be Jellies Rain, since I have heard that jellies is a bit more correct, but I also think it's a matter of opinion not fact.
Yes, you have done a great job here linking small observations to the extremely concerning environmental crisis that humans now face.
My career was spent in computer graphics and this has left me fascinated by tiny details in nature that
result from the reflection, absorption and refraction of light. The tiny crescent shaped shadows of leaves during a solar eclipse come in mind! This is my way of saying I appreciate your attention to
detail.
Thanks kindly for your comment! It makes my day.
David, what I particularly like about this piece are the observations about snowfall that we all have in common, while putting them into context of our urban landscape. The patterns are obvious, it's just that we don't take the time to consider them. That's what a naturalist does.