By Sue KILPATRICK

“As marvelous as the stars is the mind of the person who studies them”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Weather this week in Crescenta Valley may seem rather boring – not too hot and not too cold. Considering the extreme weather world wide, including 100 degree temperatures and unhealthy air in Russia and deadly floods in China, India, and Pakistan, we should consider ourselves very fortunate. This summer in California has been a cool one. This is due to a low marine layer of clouds that has persisted through June, July and, so far, August. Only 10 days this season have been near or above average. If you are still in need of some excitement, for the next few nights, the Perseid Meteor showers will be peaking just after midnight. With a dark moon, several dozen shooting stars per hour will be visible in the northeastern sky. Don’t forget to make a wish!
Did you know that technically clouds, rain and snow are also meteors – hydrometers? The term “ meteorology,” which is used to refer to the study of weather, has been around for a long time. In 340 B.C. Aristotle wrote a book  called “Meteorologica.” It contained information that dealt with anything that fell from, or was suspended in, the sky. Today we call those rocks that fall from space meteors. Many of Aristotle’s explanations of the natural world were very reasonable in his time, but they were later disproved. But he did leave us the term weather fans  hold dear to their hearts: meteorology!
So what can we expect in the days ahead? If  you happen to be reading this today, Aug. 12, you will know that winds may gust as high as 20 mph tonight. As the weekend approaches, the daytime temperatures begin to climb, reaching the mid 90s by Sunday. This pattern will remain into the first of next week. Nighttime lows will be in the upper 60s. Perhaps we will have weather more typical of summer? We’ll see! With only five more weeks of summer remaining and schools starting even sooner, enjoy the weather and the late-light evenings.
As said by William Shakespeare, “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” That brings about the question: Did he enjoy his children and did not like to see them go back to school or just not like the climate of England?
Hmm…

Sue Kilpatrick is a longtime CV resident and amateur weather watcher. Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  climate, La Crescenta, Shakespeare, weather