Santa Ana Winds, Revisited
Woman in the Middle | September 17, 2014On November 3, 2011, I wrote my very first post about our infamous Santa Ana winds. It wasn’t my last post about the wind, either…..
Santa Ana Winds
There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’ necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge. Raymond Chandler, “Red Wind” 1938
Once a cousin of mine who lives in Memphis asked me what our “bad” weather is here in inland Southern California. I thought a moment and then said “wind.” Yes, the weather can get hot. Sometimes it rains and doesn’t know when to stop. But the wind…that can drive you crazy!
You know a wind is pretty bad when they name it. Ours is called “Santa Ana.” In a rare moment of listening to the TV news night before last the weatherman mentioned that the wind would be coming in the morning. Eeek! Water the plants, make sure all the patio furniture covers are securely fastened, gather up the outdoor Halloween decorations, and hope he was not right! Then, about 9:30 p.m. – BOOM! That is the sound a Santa Ana wind makes when it arrives.
We thought our new house was in a neighborhood by a golf course with nearby hills. Nope. We are in an exposed position in a wind tunnel. Surprise! So we REALLY know when the wind is blowing. And it was really blowing Tuesday night and yesterday.
I have my Santa Ana Wind survival kit ready: My glass of ice tea (to stay hydrated); a bottle of lotion (for constant application to my dry itchy skin); hair brush (because I will need a hairbrush after every visit outside); headache medicine (because it usually gives me a headache); Chocolate (because that is good anytime!).
The wind seems to be over for the moment and here is the score: Two patio chairs tumbled over, one barbecue cover and one chair cover at the bottom of the back yard bank, and the lid of the outdoor cushion container ripped off its hinges. Just another day and night of wind in Southern California.
Ewwww!
I have never experienced a Santa Anna wind before. They don’t sound good and are probably pretty scary. I do love the sound of winter winds here in Virginia though (especially when I’m inside by a cozy fire). Going to sleep is good here too when the inside is safe and the whooooo of the wind is a reminder to be grateful.
When I was in high school, the Santa Ana winds at night in November were FREEZING!! My friends and I had to stand in it when we watched the football games. The only things that kept us warm were hot chocolate and our Letterman’s jackets.
I didn’t find a way to give you a like. Thanks for visiting my blog.
You are right! No place to “like.” I will have to figure out that little problem. Thanks for pointing it out.