February, Warnings and Incidents

February, warnings and incidents

Australia

LOVELY FOR HOLIDAYS

NOT SO GOOD FOR TENNIS








A week of roasting temperatures and multiple player meltdowns in Melbourne is likely to force a change of policy from the Association of Tennis Professionals - the governing body of men's tennis -...








WORRYING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Bushfires in Australia (Wikipedia)
These are frequent events during the hotter months of the year, due to Australia's mostly hot, dry climate. Each year, such fires impact extensive areas. On one hand, they can cause property damage and loss of human life. On the other hand, certain native flora in Australia have evolved to rely on bushfires as a means of reproduction, and fire events are an interwoven and an essential part of the ecology of the continent. For thousands of years, Indigenous Australians have used fire to foster grasslands for hunting and to clear tracks through dense vegetation.

TODAY’S WEATHER IN MELBOURNE   (3.2.2014)

Warnings and Incidents
All emergency warnings and advice for Victoria are now also available on the new VicEmergency website at www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
See more at: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/warnings-and-incidents/#sthash.cozRokfG.dpuf

Today, Mon, 3 Feb 2014 has been declared a day of Total Fire Ban for the whole State of Victoria.

WEATHER WARNINGS
Vic - 10:21 EDT - Coastal Strong Wind/Gale Warning
Vic - 05:04 EDT - Total Fire Ban for all districts
All warnings from Bureau of Meteorology.


Greece


Hail in our garden

February in Europe is very different. The weather is cold, but somedays there is a hint of spring in the air.















                                   A heavy rainfall rushing down the road

The word February is believed to have derived from the name 'Februa' taken from the Roman 'Festival of Purification'.  The root 'februo' means to 'purify by sacrifice'.  As part of the seasonal calendar February is the time of the 'Ice Moon' according to Pagan beliefs, and the period described as the 'Moon of the Dark Red Calf' by Black Elk.  February has also been known as 'Sprout-kale' by the Anglo-Saxons in relation to the time when kale and cabbage are edible."

February is Greece's Carnival Season.

The Apokrias Carnival is similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.



Apokries 

Apokrias Carnival History
The Apokrias Carnival has its roots in ancient ceremonies and is intended to help the earth put forth shoots. This help takes the form of leaping dances, mummery and disguise and it is meant to propitiate evil spirits. In ancient Greece this festival was to honour Dionysus and took place in early Spring, as Dionysus symbolised rebirth after winter. Today carnivals are still held but not on a fixed date as the date of this Lenten carnival depends on the moveable feast of Easter. During the 40-day Lenten fast in Greece as people eat no meat or animal products the three weeks before Easter are called Apokries, i.e. “abstention from meat”.


TODAY’S WEATHER IN LEMNOS  (3.2.2014)

Light Rain
Temperature
8 °C
Feels Like 3 °C
Wind(km/h)

   Snow on Mount Athos, as seen from Lemnos Island