Tag Archives: storm

Sep6

‘wild ducks and tomorrow both come without calling.’ -russian proverb

Posted on September 6, 2026 by beth

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-before-

skies dark and murky

tornado warning screaming

strong winds blow the trees

-after-

sun returns, wind stops

clouds dot skies of powder blue

tornado moves course

—

the ducks, one not-duck

unruffled play near river

with tall friend, heron.

—

‘more rain, more rest; more water will suit the ducks best.’

*Historically, the saying was used by farmers and outdoor laborers who were forced to pause their work and rest when a heavy downpour hit. While the rain halted human labor, it provided perfect, thriving conditions for water-loving ducks.

(and sometimes a heron too)

—

huron river, ann arbor, michigan, usa – late summer 2026

Apr16

“the only way out is through.” -robert frost

Posted on April 16, 2026 by beth

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late night/very early morning april in ann arbor

waking up to sirens/alarms

the storm came quickly

a tornado touched us

for a few moments

leaving its mark

blew through

much to fix

lots of mess

none hurt

a win.

—

‘there are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.’

– willa cather

—

photo credit: kai pertainen, ann arbor, mi, usa, april 15, 2026

Mar18

under the weather.

Posted on March 18, 2026 by beth

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on the farm

on the roof

in the banks

on the house

under the snow

outside of the garage door

outside on Mackinac Island

volunteer firefighters and Mackinac Marine Rescue Crew dig out the school

—

i’d planned to head up north to visit family this week

but I took a look at the weather

decided I’ll wait a week or so

some parts of the north were hit with a 100 year storm

especially in the upper peninsula

where the yoopers are a hardy lot.

—

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, unseasonable weather is the result of a conflict between Titania and Oberon, queen and king of the fairies.

The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,
And on old Hiems’ thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is, as in mockery, set. The spring, the summer,
The childing autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries, and the mazèd world
By their increase now knows not which is which.

– William Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

—

photo credits- Northern Michiganders braving the storm

Feb23

thunder ice.

Posted on February 23, 2023 by beth

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*the thunder ice cometh.

—

“thou art all ice. thy kindness freezes.”

-william shakespeare

—

*Yes, Thunder Ice is a real thing.

Thundersnow is so last year.

This week in the U.S. there have been a few reports of “thunder ice” or “thunder-freezing rain.” It’s basically a thunderstorm during freezing rain or sleet.

“It’s not something we see very often, but it does happen from time to time and that’s what we experienced across the country,” said Chris Bowman, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “It’s fairly unusual,” he said. “You get pretty heavy rainfall rates and obviously with temperatures below freezing it happens.”

How does all of this happen? Convection — upward motion of air — helps produce thunderstorms. But it’s fairly rare to have convection within a winter storm. Thunder and lightning are much more common in warm-season thunderstorms. When there’s strong enough convection, along with plenty of moisture available, a winter storm can produce thundersnow. And when there’s a layer of warm air above a colder surface layer, freezing rain and sleet falls while the thunder is booming – thunder ice.