An unusual event happened this past week here on Orcas Island. IT RAINED!!!! Normally, rain wouldn't be unusual here in the Pacific Northwest, however, the drought seems to have a firm grip on the entire west coast, from California right through to British Columbia, and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight, at least for now. You know it has to be dry, when even Vancouver is under water restrictions.
Here is a photo looking outside from the back deck of the house I am currently at. This blue sky has become the normal view this summer.
There is no telling how long the drought will last, and of course most people think that it's great weather for their summer vacation, without giving a thought to the larger picture. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the year goes, what with a super El Nino brewing off the coast. It appears that the Pacific is going to be pumping out plenty of heat later this year, and that should have some interesting effects, none of which can be considered good at this point.
(A NOAA comparison shows the 1997-1998 El Nino at peak heat during November of 1997 [left frame]. The right frame image shows the 2014-2016 El Nino during its mid July ramp-up. Note the hot blob of water off the US West Coast in the July 2015 image. Heat in this region tends to drive an atmospheric feedback that continues to push more warm water into the Eastern and Central Equatorial Pacific. Note that, due to this and other factors, the 2014-2016 will likely also hit a peak intensity during October or November. An intensity that could exceed the monster 1997-1998 El Nino event. Image source: NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory.)
In fact, all that extra heat might just be the thing that tips the balance in the Arctic, and causes the sea ice to disappear this September. We'll see.
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015
Storms Over Arctic Ocean
The image below shows sea surface temperature anomalies over the Arctic on July 27, 2015.
The extra sunshine has had an impact on the local fruit as well. I picked this apple a couple of days ago, and I'm no expert on apples, however, July seems to be somewhat early for apples to be ripening on the trees. In addition to the apples, I've been eating blackberries for quite some time now, and I seem to recall that they are usually ripe in late August or early September.
My first time house sitting here on Orcas was in the month of October, back in 2011. I was picking apples like this off of the trees then, which is the month that one might expect to be apple picking, not July. Nothing is normal any longer.
Even the furballs seem to be struggling with the heat. Here we see the youngest of the tribe, trying to stay cool in the bedroom window.
Not to be outdone by his older brother.
In fact, all of the animals at this house (including the author) have been feeling pretty relaxed of late. I think I'll blame it on the heat.
And finally, I came across some words written a long time ago by none other than William Wordsworth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wordsworth
The eye it cannot chose but see;
We cannot bid the ear be still;
Our bodies feel where'er they be,
Against or with our will.
Nor less I deem that there are powers,
Which of themselves our minds impress;
That we can feed this mind of ours,
In a wise passiveness.
Perhaps in this world of texts, tweets, Facebook and Smart phones, it might be beneficial to go sit on a beach, or under a tree, and spend some precious time in wise passiveness.
I'm just sayin'.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
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