A Hail of a Welcome Home

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As I got closer to home this afternoon I noticed some very menacing looking clouds moving in from the west. "Aye, those be storm clouds," the sailor in me said. "Not some gentle spring storm, neither." I'd not been home long, just enough time to let the dogs out - who let the dogs out, me, that's who - when the first rumbles of thunder began to peel. Ace wasn't long in coming to the door to get back inside. He is not fond of rain. Ginger, on the other hand, loves rain. I'd just gotten comfortable in the sun room when the staccato beat of rain on the roof underwent an odd change in pitch. I looked out the window and could see small bits of ice bouncing on the patio. HAIL! I quickly ran to get my camera so I could record this momentous event for posterity. I knew this hail storm could be as big a news items as a UNC Tarheels Basketball player actually showing up for class. The photo above is proof that hail visited this part of North Carolina this afternoon. The hail was followed by a short-lived but intense downpour of rain that momentarily flooded the low parts of my backyard. While all this was going on, the air temperature dropped from a warm 79F (26C) to 66F (19C) in just over 10 minutes. As often happens here in eastern NC, the storm passed out of the area quickly and sunny skies returned. I walked outside and the wonderful smell of clean, fresh, spring air was so enjoyable I wanted to bottle it for later when the hot, humid air sets in. I'm now sitting in the sun room, enjoying the cool air, the sunshine, and wondering if Mother Nature has any more surprised coming our way today. How have things been in your neck of the woods? Any weather surprises to speak of?