Roller coaster temperatures ... what a difference a week makes

 Salvia

A nice morning breeze made working in the yard a comfortable experience earlier on this first day of June. SWAC Husband was repairing his garden gate, expecting to have at least until after noon to work on his project since the weather forecast had suggested today's high temps would be in the mid-80s.

By 11:00, with a sweat-drenched shirt, he put away his tools and we finally turned on the air conditioning. Even though there is still a slight breeze outside, the humidity feels like it has crept up. Perhaps it's the build-up from the past three days of hot temperatures.

It's hard to believe that a week ago today we woke to 33 degrees and frost on the grass and cars. A few days later, high temps topped out at 93 degrees, and it's been warm ever since. What a roller coaster spring we've had! The forecast says 70s for next week. Hope so ... I've got outdoor stuff to do. Enjoy the sunny day!

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 2013

Shenandoah Valley: Frosty 33 degrees on May 25

Brrr. My corner of the world woke up to 33 degrees this morning with frost on the cars and covering the back yard. It's May 25, far beyond the "safe" frost date of May 15 for this area. High temps today are supposed to be in the 50s and windy.

Frost. A deposit of small white ice crystals formed on the ground or other surfaces when the temperature falls near or below freezing. On May 25.

Brrr.

It's Memorial Day weekend, that time when we pause to honor our military men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

It's also considered the unofficial start of summer, and the weekend when swimming pools reopen.

In Shenandoah National Park, Loft Mountain campground has just reopened for the season and is packed with campers who woke this morning to temperatures in the 20s.

Speaking about the cold morning temps, a Facebook friend expressed it well: "Summer is playing hide and seek."

Indeed.

Frost warning in the Shenandoah Valley

Here it is May 19 and we have an overnight frost warning. Our usual safe date is May 15. Plants have been covered or moved indoors and, hopefully, this will be the last time this season. It's 12:30 am and the temperature is down to upper 30s. Hope it doesn't get too much colder....