Under the Weather

This is the second rose that I discovered in the garden.  It is an old rose I think, and has an amazing fragrance.

Because of the heat the flowers are quite short-lived and tonight we have been battered by extremely heavy rain and thunderstorms so I doubt that there are any petals left at all..

When I opened the door to take these photos, it was like opening the door of a steam room, despite the rain.  It is no wonder that everything grows at such a rate here.

We did in fact have a warning of the possibility of even more severe weather tonight...  Enough to frighten the life out of you -  but fortunately it didn't materialise here..

'Tornado Watch in Northern Virginia

Active for next 3 hours, 16 minutesPosted 2 hours, 19 minutes ago – National Weather Service

•  Affected  

How likely:
How soon:
How severe:

Recommended actions

Excerpted from ready.govBefore:

• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
• Look for the following danger signs:
  • Dark, often greenish sky
  • Large hail
  • A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
  • Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
  • If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately...
• More:
• What to do before a tornado.

During:

• If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately! Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head.
• If you are in a structure, go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.'
• Last time we were at the cinema we were similarly concerned when there was a trailer announcing that this is the start of the hurricane season and giving advice on being prepared (quite similar to the advice above in fact).

An interesting climate!!