The Answer is Blowin' in the Wind

One of the most popular songs of my youth was "Blowin' in the Wind," written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and performed by Peter, Paul, and Mary, among many others. It is an example of "the protest song" of the time, posing philosophical questions about  peace, war, and freedom. Its popularity and timelessness can be attributed to the fact that while the song asks questions, it does not refer to any particular political event.

The memorable refrain, "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind," could very well apply to our daily weather here in southwestern Connecticut. If you're aware of the direction from which the wind is blowing, then you'll more than likely have the answer to the current weather from Greenwich to Woodbridge. Yesterday's high temperatures ranged from 80 in Danbury to 63 in Bridgeport to 51 in Groton. That's a 30-degree range due to a sea breeze along the shoreline and a mild wind inland!

Although the wind can blow from virtually any direction, we'll examine more closely the four points of the compass; namely, North, South, East, and West. The direction of the wind is determined by areas of high and low pressure. The wind blows clockwise around the center of high pressure, and it circulates counterclockwise around an area of low pressure.

An East wind means rainy and raw weather in April. That's what we'll experience tomorrow. Imagine a huge hair drier placed horizontally just above the ocean water and aimed directly at southwestern Connecticut. Make sure you have a jacket and umbrella handy whenever the wind blows out of the East in April, because temperatures are likely to be well below normal and rain will be falling. Just remember the famous weather adage, "Whenever the wind is out of the East, the weather is unfit for man and beast."

Pining for a mild, dry day? Just wait until the wind shifts out of the West. Whenever that happens, we have a continental air mass, since the wind is blowing across the land. That results in mild air and sunny skies. The West wind produced a temperature of 84 degrees at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford on March 13, 1990! Even along the shoreline, a West wind will bring milder air. Remember the saying, "Whenever the wind is out of the West, the weather is at its best!" So true, indeed.

The North wind brings much cooler and drier air. Imagine the wind flowing from Canada. Humidity levels will drop considerably, the sky will generally be clear and deep, and temperatures will run below normal. The North wind is most welcome during the Summertime, when the drier air brings relief from tropical humidity. However, during the Winter, a North wind, known as the "Polar Express," can bring brutally cold conditions and drop the mercury well below zero.

Finally, a wind out of the South results in warm, tropical, humid air. Those living along the Connecticut shoreline are directly affected by the temperature of Long Island Sound, though. During the Summer, temperatures are cooler by the water when the wind is out of the South, or directly off the Sound. In the Winter, a South wind brings a moderation to the temperature, and when a storm arrives, it usually results in rain or a mix along the shoreline, while neighbors living North of the Merritt or Wilbur Cross parkways are digging out of several inches of snow.

Oh, and what about the Northeast wind? Harry Nilsson sang about it in his song "Everybody's Talkin'." According to the lyrics, "I'm going where the sun keeps shining, thru' the pouring rain, going where the weather suits my clothes, backing off of the North East wind, sailing on a summer breeze, and skipping over the ocean like a stone." All of us are familiar with a Northeast wind in the Winter. That brings heavy snow, wind, and cold air to southwestern Connecticut. A Nor'easter delivers the moisture off the Atlantic Ocean, and the cold air from Canada.

So, the next time you want to know what kind of day we'll have weatherwise, just check the direction of the wind. I'm sure all of us can't wait for "The Summer Wind." Maybe I'll look for my Frank Sinatra record when I have a few moments. If I can't find that, I'll more than settle for Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze," 'cause it "makes me feel fine."

Paul