Ka-boom, ker-splash!

[furtech]

For the first time in a while we got a spectacular period of thunderstorms that have lasted, on and off, since last night. I heard thunder that I've never encountered before: weird, ripping sound that went on and on for 10-15 seconds at a time. There was no real crescendo or variance in the noise-- just a long ripping sound. Could possibly have been echoes in the canyons. And this morning we got (in addition to a power outage) half-inch hail. This was the biggest hail I've ever seen: I heard it ping-pinging on the wrought-iron fence. Frieda-- never really frightened by lightning or vacuum cleaners-- has been blissfully sleeping through it all outside.

Comments

[diadexxus.livejournal.com]

Ripping as in almost a Crackling sound? I LOVE that kind of Thunder... it goes CRRAAAAAAAACKLLLLE KA-BOOOOM!!!

Kick ass, I am SO envious you got that. We so rarely get it up here! Did you get picture of the hail??

-J

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Storms like this are -very- rare for the populated parts of L.A. (they do get 'em in the mountains and high deserts). And the hail was cool, but didn't look like much: like someone dumped their soft-drink ice. I think it has to be golf-ball sized to have all the cool layers and spikes...

[saeto.livejournal.com]

It's been a long time since I've seen hail. You're lucky you got to see some.

I also wanted to say the pics you posted of Frieda in earlier journal entries are adorable.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Hearing the larger hailstones was more interesting: everything was tinkling and pinging. Just the right size: smaller and it would have sounded like rain; larger and the sound would have been more like "clanking" and "Ohmygodmycar!"

Thanks for the props on Frieda: She's been the perfect companion for me...gets me out on walks even when it's pouring rain and I'm running a fever because she -knows- I need the excercise... I've had her for fourteen of her fifteen years (yay shelter dogs!).

[wyoon.livejournal.com]

Living on the east coast, I'm used to it but it never really gets old. The addition to echoing in the canyons would be a nice change if there was any.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I love thunderstorms too...less so when it blows the power in the middle of a long download, but still invigorating. We get so few of them that I'm no expert on thunder-sounds: this was just weird the way the sharp sound went on and on, yet never really crescendo'd.

[cooner.livejournal.com]

Yep, an interesting burst of rain the last couple days ... afraid to take my bike out now because no telling when the next downpour will strike!!

If you'd like to meet for dinner one night or afternoon, for Indian or anything else, please let me know. If not ... totally understandable. Thanks!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

This is pretty violent, weather-wise, for L.A. And I feel for you as far as trying to predict clear-spaces: I'm usually glued to the Weather Channel...or NOAA's site at Roz's. When I spot a clear band, it's like a military operation: Moveitmoveitmoveit! Gityergrassinrear! C'monRozwegottagoNOW!

I'm up for Indian-- just been busy. I'll give you a buzz...

wasn' it a gas? !!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

I read somewhere that weather extremes go in 20 to 30 year cycles, and I think the last time we had wet winters (like last year began) and wild storms like this was around 30-35 years ago, when we were stranded by mudslides even!
I think the hardest weather was only about 4 or 5 years... but it sure was some lively memories! When you're a little kid you think all winters and summers will be like the ones ya grew up with, and it takes a lifetime to realize there's a lot more variance :>
Only thing we didn't have to do last night (luckily) was break out the candles :D