Just Wait Five Minutes

Warning: This is a bit of a rant.

While "just wait five minutes" could be referring to a wide range of topics it seems to me that if you live in Colorado you will most likely hear this in reference to the weather. Coloradans like to belt it out when every a comment is made about the weather with much the same enthusiasm as the Texans when they hear "the starts at night are big and bright" and it seems almost hardwired for them to all respond in kind "deep in the heart of Texas". Sheesh!

This late winter and early spring has finally displayed the truth of this local saying. Blizzard one moment and yep you guessed it five minutes later sunny and bright. It is a pretty phenomenal occurrence and while the temperature does not fluctuate too terribly much in five minutes the over all feel of the weather does. What I find amazing is that when you are in the backcountry, you are generally prepared (or should be!) for weather changes. You have suitable clothing to change into should you need. But when in the city I see people in high heels and skirts, or dress pants and fancy shoes trudging through the slushy snow.

And while I guess the phrase works as well either way, good or bad weather is just five minutes away. What I don't get is why, when in the city, folks are not prepared. I understand the need to be dressed appropriately for a job, but think about it do you look more professional being prepared in appropriate clothing or in a soaked dressy outfit? I would put my money on the person that thought ahead of time and was prepared!

Like I said this is a bit of a rant.

Well this morning is the first time the sun has shown in a few days and I am going to head out on the bike for a spin. And yes I will be prepared, prepared to be wet and cold should the weather change. Then again this April morning could turnout much like this January day, if I just wait five minutes.

For more info as to why the weather changes in the way it does check out the Rain Shadow effect or look at the diagram below. Given that Colorado is simply a bunch of mountains and valleys this is basically what drives the weather here. And it explains why the western slopes always get pounded and the eastern slopes are always wanting more precipitation.