Mongolia | Zaisan Tolgoi | 7th and 8th of the Nine-Nines | Довийн толгой борлоно | Нал шал болно

The seventh of the so-called Nine-Nines—nine periods of nine days each, each period marked by some description of winter weather, began on February 14 and ended on February 22. This was Doviin Tolgoi Borlono, the “time when the tops of the hills become brown,” a description which clearly indicates warming weather. Indeed, on Monday, February 21, temperatures reached 32º F / 0º C for the first time this year, and there was a distinctive smell of spring in the air. 

The eighth of the Nine-Nines, Нал шал болно—the “time when puddles appear on the ground”— began yesterday, February 23. But it has cooled off since Monday. Yesterday it got up to only 16º F / –9º C in the afternoon and this morning at 8:30 am it was back down to 26 below 0º F / –33º C. So I don’t think there will be any puddles on the ground today. But get ready for the Equinox on March 21, which marks the beginning of Spring. 
Spring Begins in 24 Days!

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