Weather Update
Whew! The sweltering heat arrived last week and it isn't even May yet. The thermometer hit 107 degrees with 18 percent humidity, but it was more tolerable than a humid 100 degrees in Kansas. Unfortunately the difference in humidity is made up for by the 25 pound body armor and kevlar helmet we are required to wear. The walk to the palace for meals has become much more of a chore, and my clothes are soaking wet from sweat when I arrive. The good news is that I checked the internet weather and it stated that it was unseasonably warm for April and within 2 days the temperature dropped almost 20 degrees.
I actually felt like I was back in Kansas with all the fluctuation in temperature and weather. Several nights ago on the way back from the palace the temperature dropped 10 degrees in 30 minutes and a sand storm started moving in. From the distance it looked like a car bomb had exploded with billows of smoke rising into the sky, but within minutes the entire sky was a hazy brown. The wind whipped around and blew dust in all directions. It became hard to see or keep your eyes open, so I wore my sunglasses in the dark to protect myself from the sand. All flights were grounded and movement around the IZ (International Zone) came to a stand still. By the next morning there were only remnants of the storm from the previous night and I could hear helicopters back in the sky doing their duties.
The sand storm was followed by two days of steady light rain, which helped to decrease the amount of dust in the air but caused some minor flooding. Now it is back to hot weather again. I have a feeling the rain and 80 degree weather will soon be a distant memory.
Heidi
I actually felt like I was back in Kansas with all the fluctuation in temperature and weather. Several nights ago on the way back from the palace the temperature dropped 10 degrees in 30 minutes and a sand storm started moving in. From the distance it looked like a car bomb had exploded with billows of smoke rising into the sky, but within minutes the entire sky was a hazy brown. The wind whipped around and blew dust in all directions. It became hard to see or keep your eyes open, so I wore my sunglasses in the dark to protect myself from the sand. All flights were grounded and movement around the IZ (International Zone) came to a stand still. By the next morning there were only remnants of the storm from the previous night and I could hear helicopters back in the sky doing their duties.
The sand storm was followed by two days of steady light rain, which helped to decrease the amount of dust in the air but caused some minor flooding. Now it is back to hot weather again. I have a feeling the rain and 80 degree weather will soon be a distant memory.
Heidi
posted by Heidi O at 1:23 PM
1 Comments:
Your sandstorm story reminded Grandma of the dust storms of the 30's. She remembered there being dust on everything. Everywhere you placed your hand you made an impression. It was in your food, your clothes ... you breathed it and slept in it. The worst day occurred April 14, 1935 and is known today as Black Sunday. The air turned black, cars stopped dead in their tracks, and you couldn't see across the street. (Of course, they were not in a war zone.)
I do hope the rain helped the tomato and zucchini plants in your garden, although I am curious as to how they take the stress of extreme heat and blowing sand.
As always, take care.
Love, Chrissie
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