Weather or Not

I know that the biggest threat to my long-term happiness in Atka will be the weather. I don't mind the cold, but that's not even an issue here. The climate is maritime, so the temperatures are more moderate than inland temps. It's rarely lower than 20º F here. However, there is a *lot* of rain. At the moment, daily highs are running around 45º to 50º F, so I don't even need a jacket to walk to school. If it's raining, I just get wet. It's only 75 paces, remember? BUT, when the temps are 15 degrees lower, the rain is harder, and the wind is 50 mph or more, and it continues like that for days on end, I may not be as relaxed and sanguine about living in this climate.

We had one storm that was so strong it kept me awake until 2 a.m., though I tried to go to sleep around 11. The wind kept rattling the house while the rain beat against the windows and door! I thought sure the rain was coming in my bedroom window. Even the locals were talking about how bad the storm was the next day.

Yesterday, the rain and wind suddenly picked up out of nowhere. We could hear ice beating against the windows. The kids were saying to each other that it was too bad I wouldn't let them go look at the rain. Ha! We stood at the back door, trying to see if it was hail, sleet, or freezing rain. Three of the kids decided to venture out from the eaves. They asked if they could come back in by way of the front door (we were at the back door). I told them they could. Two minutes later, three wet, happy kids came in. Five minutes later, the sky was clear.

I now understand the meaning of the word "squall." It's a very localized, brief storm that's very intense. Rain is common here, and it's usually intense, but short-lived. We might call it a shower. However, it takes a certain combination of wind and rain to qualify as a squall. I think we are now leaving showers behind and trading them in for squalls.

More fresh snow! This time it covers the peaks.

In the picture, you can see a lone storm cloud. This area is so remote that even storm clouds can't count on having a lot of friends nearby. In the South, all the clouds get together with their buddies and make thunderstorms. Here, a cloud's gotta go it alone. I think that's why we have squalls.

Oh, and today our VPSO (Village Public Safety Officer, the local law enforcement guy) did the school's annual presentation on "Drop, Cover, Hold." That's what we're supposed to do in case of an earthquake. Drop to the floor, preferably under a piece of furniture. Cover your head. Hold onto the furniture so it doesn't move away from you.

Squalls and earthquakes? I'm just hoping the volcano doesn't wake up!