– by Steve Sakiyama –
About this time of year I discard my New Year’s resolutions and make new ones. The old resolutions like: “learn Spanish”, or “read at least the first page of an instruction manual” are replaced by new seasonal ones. These would be more summer-like aspirations such as “try the limbo” or “go hang-gliding” and “see a chiropractor”.
As a child growing up in Northern Ontario one of my favourite summer activities was berry picking. Armed with empty fruit baskets we would jump into our black Chevy land-yacht and drive out to a remote bug-infested hill to pick wild Blueberries. As we zoomed along the bumpy back-country gravel roads, the busyness of urbania melted away as our hot car filled with dust. My dad, the Blueberry whisperer, would stop deep within the boreal wilderness and announce: “We’re here”. With that we would sneak through the still air and scrubby clearings with utmost stealth in our quest for the precious blue.
“Shhhhh, don’t scare them away.”
One time while out picking on a hot summer day, the quiet was interrupted by dad yelling: “Look out! Loooook ouuuuut!
He came crashing through the bushes with one arm holding a basket of berries and the other arm waving wildly around his head. A cloud of angry wasps was in hot pursuit, so we acted quickly and shouted:
“Dad, be careful … don’t drop the berries! DO NOT DROP THE BERRIES!”
I can’t recall whether he managed to save them, but I do remember all of us laughing uncontrollably while heading home – the tears of mirth mixing with the sweat of the day. Oh the things we do, just to find the wild blue.
Speaking of the wild blue, the periods of sun and warmth during May are early reminders that the “Pacific High” will soon arrive. This meteorological feature is a circular pressure pattern, with high surface pressure at the centre. It is found between Hawaii and the west coast of the U.S. although its location within this region depends on the season. During the spring it moves northwards from its wintering grounds near the equator and reaches towards these parts by the summer. Around about now it begins to flex its muscles and provides periods of light winds and blue skies – a preview of what will soon be our prime summer weather thanks to its influence.
So what kind of weather can we expect for the late spring/early summer? The long range outlook points to a greater chance of warmer than average conditions, carrying on the general trend of above-normal temperatures so far this year. For precipitation, the chances of drier or wetter conditions are about equal – so all in all, expect a pleasant ramp-up to summer.
I love May. With its diverse colours in land and sea and sky, it vibrates with the newness of life and tantilizes us with glimpses of summer. So when the unmet resolutions of modern life chase you through the urban wilderness, stop and take a quiet nature walk. Soak deeply in the incredible beauty and before long … May will find you.
Weather questions? Email weatherwit@gmail.com
