“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”
~Bob Dylan, American singer-songwriter and
recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature

Fall descended over the foothills last weekend as cumulus clouds in varying shades of white and grey moved in. While their appearance was ominous and encouraging, except for a few drops – .07 inches worth – measurable rainfall stayed mostly to the north. The slightly dampened ground returned quickly to “drought-dry” as the winds of autumn – the Santa Anas – came blasting through. As the above quotation confirms, one step outdoors and you will likely know “which way the wind blows.”

Last week the Swedish Academy awarded American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” Mr. Dylan, at 75, is the first musician to win the prestigious prize. Many questioned if song lyrics hold the same artistic value as poetry or novels. Well, I guess we know the answer. Now you may wonder – What does a local weather column and a Nobel Prize have in common? Weather is inspirational in both.

Climatologists from several English universities, including Oxford, researched song lyrics looking for references made to weather and climate. According to their results, 163 of Dylan’s 542 songs mention the weather. So, along with his Nobel Prize, he holds the unofficial title of “the musician most likely to mention weather!” Including “Good Day Sunshine” and “Rain,” the Beatles came in second with 48 of their 308 songs weather-themed. Dylan’s focus on weather is perhaps due to the fact he grew up in Minnesota, a region known for its harsh climate.

Hold on to your hats, at least for today and tomorrow; soon, the forecast may call for an umbrella. Temperatures through Friday are expected to soar, possibly exceeding 100 degrees. Driving the mercury upward are the Santa Ana winds. A Red Flag Warning, indicating an elevated fire danger, is now in effect. Sunday seems pivotal as our weather cools down and a strong storm moves into the Pacific northwest. It’s still too early to be certain as to how it will all play out. Thus far, projections call for rain late Sunday and into Monday. Keep an eye on the forecast; it is always interesting.

Question… Why do we usually receive less, and not more, rain than predicted?
Sue Kilpatrick is a
Crescenta Valley resident and
Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.