Did the rain come eventually, wolf?

We have had an odd couple of days here: the mornings begin with nary a cloud in the sky—brilliant blue. Towards noon it can even become quite warm, but then around 2:30 a storm blows in so quickly, with long rolls of thunder (some of them sharper) and abundant, even torrential, rain. Yesterday afternoon included hail, for our viewing pleasure. When I was in Nigeria for a few months during a university summer (years ago!), this was how the weather acted in their rainy season. Very interesting, and it surely perks up a monotonous, blue-sky day. The evening should clear again, giving rise to the night sky, which arrives later and later until June 20, the Summer Solstice, when the days slowly begin to shorten again, although that does not seem to be really noticeable until mid-August or so.

Sunday and Monday will turn hot and humid for us, but then quickly change around again, as more showers settle in, giving way to cooler temperatures mid-week. We have had an abundance of rain in the past week, with some good sun as well. My gardens remain happy.

I am very thankful that though intermittent clouds—and even brief showers—were forecast for Venus' transit evening, those never came to fruition, and the sky remained very clear for viewing.

Sounds like you've had some interesting weather lately, jo!

Our weather here has been somewhat similar; much of the past week has had days beginning with clear blue skies, with fair-weather cumulus clouds and brief thundershowers popping up by mid-afternoon.

The next couple days will exceed 90F with humidity, then we send that weather your way, jo. Time to start counting the days until the snow season starts.

Most recent afternoons have been mostly overcast - so I'm glad that the clearest afternoon we've had over the past week or so coincided with Tuesday's transit.

In this latitude we're very close to the year's earliest sunrise, which comes around June 10. I've noticed the rate of change of both sunrise and sunset has slowed to a crawl lately, as we approach the solstice.

Nice picture of the transit stargazer.
Stayed up late last night to get some lawndry washed so I could hang it out today. I was worried about the humidity, but with the wind, and sun being out, the clothes dried out before too long.
Even with the wind though it was still hot. 90 degrees. I had a few projects to do outside, and was sweating before long. But made sure I went in to cool off after every load was hung out.
The news says chance of some nasty storms later in the day Sunday. Hoping for some good rain, the lawn is starting to turn a shade of brown. No downpoor, just nice, and steady.

Just had a bit of excitment. Lightning, and thunder, with the street lights going out. waited in the basement, with the NOAA radio on giving updates.
Thankfully we heard no crashing sounds Checked the rain gauge, and we had just less than an inch in an hour.
News reported a possible tornado warning south-west of the Twin Cities so we send prayers nobody was injured.

Glim, has your cooling off come to pass?

Yes it did, LOTS. We had a couple of days where the high was below 70F/21.1C. Now we are into the upper 80'sF and lower 90'sF.

I'd love a lot of those temps. We are 'cooler' today with a high of 95F. This last week we were 100F+ and I've been fighting heat rash since. Odd, considering I don't ever recall having it before. Not a drop of rain in the forecast either. We are so dry we are on EXTREME fire bans.

And speaking of fires, three major ones in Colorado and New Mexico are doing some intense damage. The one in Colorado is quite close to where I was last month for my Christian Writer's Conference and is totally out of control. Its just 15 miles from Ft. Collins (near the Wyoming border) and the smoke has traveled through Kansas, Nebraska and even down to Texas.

One in New Mexico near Silver City is the largest in state history. And a brand new one just kicked off near Ruidoso between Albuquerque and Roswell. When I say near Ruidoso, I mean VERY close. A very popular campground/park, Bonita Park, is partially destroyed and several towns are within single digit miles of the blaze. Rumor has it two other fires were started not far from this one and arson is suspected. This fire is about three hours from where I live. We really need cooler temps, rain, and NO winds.

How did this thread get left alone for two weeks?

There is one thing going on in my neck of the woods where I live and where I grew up: HEAT!!! This entire week is above 100F and we've already had three weeks worth of 100+F. El Paso is completely bone dry. And our LOW temperatures for this week are 78, 79, 87, 78, 79F. That's the overnight low.

In Colorado, it is the worst it's been in as long as I know. This past weekend there were over 8 fires in progress, not to mention a week of 100+F heat. The High Ridge Fire near Ft. Collins Colorado is closing in on 100,000 acres burned and has destroyed over 250 homes. That was started by lightning. Another major one is literally just outside Colorado Springs. Pikes Peak is closed and over 10,000 people have been evacuated for that one. EVERY civilian resource is used up and Colorado has been forced to call in the military to help fight the fires. It's really bad in my home state.

Heat, heat go away... 92F here today. Nothing by southern standards, but for us polar bears...

Northeast Minnesota has been hit with flooding in recent weeks; the road to my brother's rural home was washed out and took 3 days to open. Too bad we can't send some of that excess moisture southwest!

But those massive storms missed the Twin Cities and I understand it's been a while since there's been any rain. This reminds me of last year's pattern, with its very wet spring and early summer, and extremely dry last half of the year.

The Colorado Springs Waldo Canyon Fire doubled in size from last night. It's now at 15,000+ acres and has invaded Colorado Springs. Six days of 100+F heat for them (all records) and powerful winds even sent some embers across a 1/2 mile to mile long reservoir and sparked another fire. More fires have been started by lightning or a single spark. Every civilian resource is used and nearly every forest fire fighter in the nation is currently in Colorado. They REALLY need prayer and rain over there.

What a difference a day makes! On Monday, our temps were in the upper 60's! We dipped into those glorious 40's overnight, and there was a beautiful breeze!

Tuesday was in the mid 80's, and tomorrow we're back into the 90's for a considerable time!

I detest summer

Muggy is not enough of a word to get the feelling of the day today
Was chasing the lawn mower around early to beat the heat. At least that was the plan. By the time I finished I must have sweated off a gallon.
The young wiggle took pity upon his sire, and finished the other half, for which I am suitably gratfull We made a motion to suspend all further outdoor activity for the day, and retire to the basement of the wig-wam to review videos.
The sages of the weather channel have predicted more temps in the 90's, with high humidity. It is a good thing we have a well stocked in video library.

I do not like this heat, Sam I am.
I do not like it in the day, I do not like it in the night.
I do not like it one bit...

Today's record high of 99F broke a 101-year-old record of 96F. With dewpoints around 70F, the resulting heat index values were in the 105-110F range. Not much by Southern standards, but give me snow any day.

Similar temps will prevail all week; Thursday may even be hotter.

74 days until the start of the possible snow season...

Yes gazer, it's been rather miserable here. Thankfully the dew points have been a bit lower here, which makes it feel less "muggly" outside, but by gum is it hot.

The fact that everything is so dry is making it worse. Our grass hasn't been cut in nearly two weeks, and it's already about 70% dead. Very hard walking for bare feet.

Temps are projected to be in the low to mid nineties until Friday or Saturday, and all that moisture in the air could definitely pop up some severe thunderstorms (some of which came through yesterday, and really hit some local towns).

'Twas actually warmer here than in some parts of the South; we set a July 4 record of 101F (38C) - close to 20F above average. Heat index values reached 113F (45C).

Suffice it to say I've remained indoors today, and any fireworks viewing will be done vicariously (on TV).

The earth is at aphelion today - farthest from the sun for the year. Go figure.

Muggy is not enough of a word to get the feelling of the day today

I do not like this heat, Sam I am.
I do not like it in the day, I do not like it in the night.
I do not like it one bit...

Ditto to both! Yesterday, especially, when opening the door to poke my head out, it was like hitting a moisture-laden wall. Today is a tad better, thanks to a slight breeze off the lake. Tomorrow will be back into the high heat index at 44C/111.2F. I'm glad to have planned my errand days Tuesday and today when it wasn't so viciously humid (which simply drains one's energy).

The earth is at aphelion today - farthest from the sun for the year. Go figure.

I'd never have guessed it.

Like your area, DiGs, we are really lacking rain. Some days clouds may arrive for a spell (like right now), a dozen or so drops of rain might fall, then the skies clear to further humidity again. Tonight around midnight they're saying thunderstorms will briefly roll in, but I'll believe it when I hear it. Saturday morning is our best chance for a good, solid rain. Then on Sunday on into the beginning of next week the heat index lessens, and although still warm (with clear skies), we will have more seasonal temperatures (26C/78.8F - 28C/82.4F) with less of that awful mugginess. However, as I've said for years now, I become rather restless with nothing but blue, clear, hot skies for days and days on end. I think they've had their time for this year, thank you very much. And with the moisture in the air, stargazing isn't even that great now.

You know, even if the nights cooled off pleasantly down to the 50s, that would be grand. But instead they are sitting in the low 80s with the heat index.

One advantage of all this, though, is that the pool is lovely, sitting just below 80F—still refreshing for an evening dip. However, the gardens are parched, and I am needing to water every night for awhile now. They're looking very healthy and green, but only because of the hose ... not the skies.

Counting the days until Autumn!