“I hear the wind among the trees

Playing the celestial symphonies;

I see the branches downward bent,

Like keys of some great instrument.”

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ‘A Day of Sunshine’

Monday morning a symphony of chainsaws could be heard throughout the foothills as we continued to recover from last weekend’s damaging winds. A large sycamore tree behind our property blew down landing on utility lines. There it rested until its owner, AT&T and SCE decided who was responsible for removal. So, the stories are told with similarity. Upon thinking about wind, I realize our love-hate relationship. Both beauty and destruction are contained within the single word – wind.

As a little girl I loved to “to hear the wind among the trees.” I must confess, a little guiltily, my sentiments haven’t changed much over the years and are likely based on personal experience. My dear mom, normally a logical thinker and not one prone to overexcitement, became a wreck when she heard the Santa Ana winds begin to blow. Our different reactions to the same sound are simply explained. She was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas and I was born in Glendale and raised in La Crescenta. No storm cellars here! You can surmise, by Mr. Longfellow’s words, he didn’t live in Kansas either.

The winds of La Crescenta bring clear blue skies and warm temperatures. They are not without related property damage, but bodily harm and death are unlikely. In the Midwest, winds are often equated to tornados. According to the National Weather Service’s list of weather-related fatalities (based on a 10-year average), tornados and heat top the list. So our love-hate relationship with wind is well-founded.

Afternoon temperatures are expected to stay well above normal through today, Thursday. Friday is a day of transition – a “change in the wind.” Big changes are coming weather-wise to Southern California this weekend. A low pressure system is predicted to make its way down the coast on Saturday, carrying a possibility of rain. Showers and even a slight chance of thunderstorms are expected by Sunday. Snow levels may drop to 5,000 feet. No matter the precipitation outcome, the forecast includes temperatures dropping 15 to 30 degrees. The storm system will slowly start to move out by Monday, but a few lingering showers shouldn’t be precluded from next week’s weather. This may be the “last hurrah” for our rain slickers, boots and umbrellas … until next season.

Sue Kilpatrick is a

Crescenta Valley resident and

Official Skywarn Spotter for the

National Weather Service. Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.