the delphic expanse

We now have an official weather thread.

This is so I can marvel at the rain today. I know it's leftover from a tropical depression, and wow, I've never quite seen this kind of downpour without wind to go with it. I feel very housebound, as there hasn't been much of a break. It's really intense.

Thank goodness the sun is out today. Some of the water is drying off! But it still is a bit jungle-like out there.

And what is worse than being housebound in these downpours is having to go 40 mph on the interstate because you can't see the road. Hopefully all of this will move out before my return drive home from Atlanta to Raleigh Thursday evening. Downpour and darkness, not a good combination.

It's supposed to move out tonight, Tarheel Lady. And then get hot.

When I first moved here (from Raleigh, and oh I know that I-85/I-40 drive so well...) this area was in the middle of a drought and you could see the bottom of Lake Hartwell. Now? It's two feet ABOVE full pool. If anyone wants rain you can have it...

...especially since people in Atlanta DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE IN IT.

Forgive me folks, but I grew up in Hurricane Alley, where learning to drive in crosswinds and heavy rain was not optional. On the other hand, I freely admit I can't drive in snow and ice. What about y'all? What can/can't you deal with based on familiarity with the weather?

I've lived all over - although I must say I've always done my best to avoid driving in hurricanes.

I've had to learn to drive in snow since I moved to Philadelphia.

The thing that is relevant here as it was where I grew up in Texas is knowing to be fearful of flooding and not drive through water if you don't know how deep it is. Every time we have a big storm it seems that someone gets washed away because they think they can make it. Thankfully, the city is very diligent about closing the roads that tend to flood.

I grew up and still live in Tornado Alley. I had an interesting conversation a while back with a friend who lives in Florida. She's terrified of tornadoes, and wouldn't want to live here. I, on the other hand, would take a tornado any day over the hurricanes she's experienced where she lives. I guess it's what you're used to, and knowing how to cope and be prepared. For instance, I never, ever would live in a house without a basement or storm cellar in this area.

Yeah, driving in rain at night is bad. Especially if the pavement is black asphalt. That seems to absorb the light from the vehicle's headlights and makes it even harder to see.

lfvoy wrote: I freely admit I can't drive in snow and ice.

I have to, and I HATE it! (Remember me asking if you'd ever seen a garbage truck spin out?) Here are some tips:

1. SLOW DOWN! The posted speed limit is for dry roads and good visibility. You don't have that so don't drive like you do.
2. BACK OFF! Don't count on being able to stop, especially suddenly. And, yeah, that includes all you people with antilock brakes.
3. Cut the other guy a LOT of slack. Let them into your lane. Let them pass. Don't assume they can stop, especially if they're on a hill. A little kindness does a lot to keep things under control. Besides, you need both hands on the wheel, so don't go flipping somebody the bird.
4. If you don't have antilock brakes and you hit a particularly slippery area, then try driving in a lower gear. If you take your foot off the gas, then the engine will slow the car automatically and you won't be so likely to want to stomp on the brakes and lock your wheels. Just remember to upshift when you can drive faster so you don't screw up your transmission.
5. Don't assume antilock brakes are the be all and end all. They aren't!
6. If the roads are glare ice - and blacktops are really bad for that - DON"T EVEN TRY IT!

That tropical storm passed here on Sunday, and today it is the hottest muggiest feeling outside for this year. I was out for only 5 minutes and came in perspiring as much as when I have my morning aerobics/strength training class! Good thing I got all my weeding, pruning and planting for this go round done on Saturday, when it was blue sky, white clouds, breezy cool before the storm hit.

Today I am working inside, with the AC humming at 75*F and ceiling fans running, light cotton shirt, bare feet, cotton capris. That should help!

The kitties do NOT want to be outside much either.....being lazy on their handwoven loop rugs, staying cool under the fans. Spoiled rotten!

Driving in snowy weather... I've only done that once when I briefly lived on the East coast... and I did it very, very carefully. It was the mornings after a snowy or icy night that really got me - growing up in Texas I'd never seen anything like sheets of ice and snow coming off the top of an 18 wheeler in one big chunk all at once!

I've driven through a lot of weather (and a lot of miles) in the last few days. There's been cool mornings, blistering sun and humidity filled afternoons and three you-can't-see-the-car-in-front-of-you downpours. I've got a nice storm cloud pic on my phone somewhere that I'll post when I can.

Do sunsets count as weather? I've seen some spectacular ones in the last two days.

I've had a lot of practice driving in snowy weather, and it started when just about everyone had rear-wheel drive vehicles. Now I can appreciate how much of a difference front-wheel drive makes.


I'm planning to stay inside today. Hot and muggy, with a forecast high of 95 and a heat index of over 100 degrees F. And it's not even the first official day of summer yet.