Dust issues

The news reports are coming in - the latest dust storms are racing across China. All the major papers are showing some interesting pictures of Beijing and other cities to the north and east, such as the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/22/AR2010032200676.html

The north of this country is well known for its dry climate and rapid desertification. Thus, the occasional dust storm is no surprise.

But for a science teacher, this is a nice teaching moment!

Thankfully, the dust is all well north of here. Though we are going through a drought as well, for the spring rains have yet to show up. I can count on one hand the number of times it has rained here in the last 6 months. Yet the air is not dry. Funny climate!

-alan