Snow in the Highlands, and in Seattle
Posted March 30th, 2008 in [hide]We’ve been treated to especially disjointed weather lately in the Emerald City. Last Friday saw big snow-flakes falling downtown for several hours in a late March storm more appropriate to Colorado than the ocean-side Pacific Northwest. We’ve enjoyed freakishly benign weather ( “that yellow thing in the sky” ) up until last week, and on clear days, both mountain ranges have sported receding snow lines.
The Cascade Range divides eastern and western Washington / Oregon, and the northern edge of California. To the west is a lush valley, while a vast desert lies to the east. Dividing these eco-systems, the spine of the mountains cuts upward, breaking up the path of the clouds overhead, getting many of them to spill their water earthward.
This divide creates an unpredictable series of micro-climates. A storm can be profoundly violent in one area and open up like an eye in others. Above, wide swatches of blue shine through, while below we see thick fog hugging the mountainside while sleet falls on the trees.
Naturally, snow in the lowlands inspired a trip to the mountains. Unfortunately, still getting over a nasty flu, I didn’t make it very far along the trail. Hiking at high altitude isn’t easy when your lungs are on strike, so I apologize if these aren’t up to usual quality standards.
Beautiful! And how!
I second what Mary said
Also, it doesn’t look like your last photograph is showing up.
First of all, thanks!
And you’re right, the last one - a Google map - doesn’t seem to be showing up. The code got all munged somehow. I hate java maps in wordpress!
Awesome pics. Makes me miss my days up there.
Funny that I lived there for about 6 years and saw it snow 2 or 3 times. This winter, it seemed like you were getting snow every other week.
These are freaking gorgeous!
I can’t even take pictures like that when I’m healthy.
Hope you aren’t sick any more, but wow the pics!
Hi… I happen to come across your site and must say that you have some gorgeous photos… I have always liked photography but growing up I couldn’t afford a camera or anything like that… never had someone to teach me either… now, with my digital camera… I am a rookie but teaching myself… what a long process just learning all the tricks… I will come back that is for sure… take care…
You are more then welcome to visit my little site… http://flissyscorner.blogspot.com this is my own little thing… nothing compared to yours… see ya…
This looks very much like some of my home country.