The temperature of Wichita, Kansas, rose almost 20 degrees Wednesday night, right after midnight, (actually Thursday, June 9, 2011) when a rare weather condition called a heat burst occurred during a thunderstorm.
The National Weather Service explained there have to be perfect weather conditions for this to happen. There were strong gusts of winds up to 69 mph, then the storm collapsed onto the winds that were keeping it aloft. This caused the air to heat up as it rapidly fell. Another factor contributing to the heat burst was the dry condition, since the area received almost no rainfall in May. One report said the air starts its descent from very high up, and comes down rapidly.
So briefly here are the heat burst conditions: strong winds with strong gusts; dry conditions; a very high atmospheric storm.
The conditions were just right for something rare to happen on the Day of Pentecost.
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appear to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4 NKJV
Fully come. Conditions were just right, all the conditions had been met for the Pentecost celebration to take place.
Rushing mighty wind—strong gusty winds.
Tongues of fire—heat burst, sudden temperature change, the air heated up.
The Holy Spirit—sudden downburst, as the Spirit of God descended from heaven on high.
However unlike the temperature increase to 102 in Wichita which dissipated by 3 a.m., the spiritual temperature on this earth has never decreased.
The Holy Spirit who came to earth on that day to dwell in Christ’s disciples is still here, burning through the world with a heat burst , with a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire, giving utterance to His people.