The afterglow of Summer

Well the calendar says Autumn but it feels a lot more like Summer. Brisbane had a top of 35degrees yesterday, the highest temperature in the whole state of Queensland; and well above average. Though not much has been average this year. The sky put on a special show of clouds late this afternoon when I walked down to close up the chooks, with balmy warm air after westerly winds today. I took a moment to just watch the whipped clouds illuminate in the setting sunlight.

Autumn

I haven't posted much lately even though I continue to watch the weather and the series of natural disasters that have unfolded in the past few months. It seems almost impossible that when I started this project in 2008 weather was considered a safe and impersonal subject of conversation. Now it is a topic almost to be avoided as it often causes sad and anxious reactions.

Autumn is coming with shorter days and I have seen some poplars beginning to turn. A series of unpredictable and changeable days led to the last two days which were hot and humid with mid afternoon storms and torrential rain resulting in overflowing gutters and lots of puddles but no damage.

I think we may have seen the last of summer as the two images above which I took on a midday drive show. It is cool and misty with gentle rain and this weather is predicted to continue for the next few days.

Pretty skies and cooler air

March has brought some much appreciated cooler air at night and beautiful colours in the sky as dusk approaches. Days have been mixed with brilliant sunny patches followed by heavy showers and then sunshine again. The heat of summer can temporarily distract my mind from the passing season and quickly approaching equinox. It's that time again to start thinking about planting cool season vegetables. I'm looking forward to cooler days out in the garden.

This morning's early sunshine and passing shower created a vibrant rainbow arching across the valley with a fainter one behind.