Graupel and grouper

SKY WATCH FRIDAY time! Our hosts: Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Louise and Fishing Guy
SKY WATCH FRIDAY (click the word to link and participate!) Thanks to Dot and Tom, who were instrumental in the success of this blogging event. You should definitely come fly with us!Just before leaving stage 1 of our honeymoon, this was the view of the turmoiled sky over the mountains. It was quite beautiful and I loved the way it illuminated and accentuated the shape of the mountains, but it was still pretty ominous looking weather, and the cold and wind really interfered in our plans for honeymoon stage 2. We drove by a chicken truck on our way to stage 2... Being a city girl, this fascinated me... I only wish I had closed the window before the light changed and the truck started moving again. Ick. I won't go into any more details, but I would highly recommend against allowing that to happen to you.

Speaking of stage 2... this was the stage where we spent time with the children. Originally, you know, back when we thought we would have typically Georgia spring warm weather, we planned a trip to Stone Mountain and the Atlanta Zoo. Unfortunately, Ma Nature threw a wrench in that plan, and we ended up having to plan indoor activities during our time in the Atlanta area with the kids. On Monday, we decided that we would go to the Georgia Aquarium. I love the jelly fish tank at this aquarium. The drifting jellies are a perfect contrast against the pristine blue tank...The surprisingly large yet eloquently graceful belugas dance in their tank...The enormous whale sharks are the claim to fame for the Georgia Aquarium. The largest viewing tank in the US hosts these massive creatures, which you actually walk under in a totally tubular tank you walk through along the journey through the aquarium.My wonderful groom even got in on the action, participating in the hands-on sting ray and shark exhibit (so did I)...The next morning, while we were getting ready to head to the Coca-Cola Museum (where you pay them to watch their commercials)... mostly the kids just wanted to try Coke products from around the world, we got to experience an April graupel storm in Atlanta!!!

Graupel (also called snow pellets) refers to precipitation that forms when supercooled droplets of water condense on a snowflake, forming a 2–5 mm ball of rime; the snowflake acts as a nucleus of condensation in this process.
~source

My dear sister-in-law told me that in Georgia, it's just called s#@w. My many years experiencing real s#@w in New England interfered with my ability to do that. It was fun and pretty, regardless.

I spoke yesterday of the storms in south Georgia on April 13th. The finding of the National Weather Service now is that there was an EF-1 tornado in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Here is the complete report including a snapshot of the tornado captured on someone's cell phone and a link to the local storm reports. I am amazed in reading the flood warning issued for this event. First off, I did read a figure today that I had not seen (I'm not sure why I missed this...), but in Valdosta, the Withlacoochee River crested at 31.5' on April 9th. This record flooding was an incredible 18.5' above flood stage of 13'... extraordinary. Unfortunately, like I said, flood warning... water levels are expected to just reach MINOR flood stage Friday in Valdosta. Daily updates are available at this link. A slight risk for severe weather exists for today in the plains... Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska... you know, over there. We should be clear until this weekend, when the chance of storms arrives.

An inspirational and uplifting reminder to look at what's inside people and not to be too hastened to judge... link.

Have a great day!!!
~Dewdrop