Posted on 07/17/2011 12:06:07 PM PDT by re_nortex
Wichita Falls has exceeded 100-degree highs 39 of the past 40 days. There was a string of 100-plus degree days before that. By this date in a normal year, Wichita Falls would have received about 16 inches of rain. This year it has been just over 3 inches. Forecasters are not optimistic about substantial rain between now and September.
Wichita County Extension agent Fred Hall said he has talked to old-timers who remember the severe droughts of 1956 and 1980. They recall those droughts started later in the year and there was residual moisture in the ground to help forage.
"There's simply no moisture bank this year," Hall said.
(Excerpt) Read more at m.timesrecordnews.com ...
It does make me wish for a hurricane. A small, tame one that will just break the drought.
Oh I forgot to mention the grasshoppers! They are terrible this year, eating leaves off the trees now!
Prayers to you. We need you.
I starting praying over my area and have now gotten quite a bit of rain.
There was only one boat ramp still under water last week at Lake Travis (Austin, TX) and it’ll soon be out as well.
Llano, TX (NW of Austin) hired a water dowser (witcher) to find water a few weeks ago beause the river that supplies their city water was running dry. The dowser found water!
I have been feeding 20% cubes. I just bailed 123 round bails. I generally have 300 rolled up at this time.
Also, the last boat ramp will probably close tomorrow at Lake Buchanan (NW Austin, TX). If/when Lake Marble Falls drops 5”, that’ll be the end of boat launching as well. Forcast shows no break in 100+ temps.
I’ve been praying please Lord let this High recede and leave Texas.
You wish! Another freezer was on the list of decisions that needed to be made.
Daymn!
Yeah, but I’ll be thinking of you when I’m chowing down.
dodging incoming flames!
Like its politics, Texas weather isn't known for moderation. :-)
The wild swings in conditions (remember the bone-chilling cold, wind and ice of February?) to the current drought and heat are par for the course. A gentle, soothing, soaking rain is the exception. Rains are usually accompanied by violent winds, megawatts worth of lightning and then flash flooding.
Fierce and intense - that's Texas weather. It's just another trait of Texas Exceptionalism.
I remember years when it wouldn’t stop raining. Month after month it rained and now we can’t get a drop. Our pastures are burning up, very sad.
Sometimes it is a judgment on an area...I have to be led of The Lord before I pray....He’ll start leading me to pray over the weather system that is locked over me or an area...within a week the system will change. I am assuming you know how to take authority through prayer over the weather...He gave us that authority...just speak to it like He did...in His Name.
Although agriculture is taking it on the chin (the corn crop is a total failure from what I gather), there are opportunities to make the best of this cyclical weather event.
I would imagine that the foundation repair business is doing well with the shifting soils in the dry conditions and relentless heat. Plus I would suppose that Texas tourism is up as those from the lesser states where it's damp, cool and dreary seek a respite in our warmth and abundant sunshine. Water parks are probably doing a banner business this year (even in the Obama economy).
Are there any crops that are still thriving in weather like this?
One thing about this drought is I’ve noticed I’m only eating ice cream, no real food. Don’t want real food, only want frozen stuff. And I don’t drink water at home, but guzzle it at work as soon as I get there.
Weird. Normally I’m serious about a balanced diet (bbq with potatoes and salad).
People putting in lawn sprinkler systems are really getting the work.
As I mentioned a few posts back, Texans are savvy, enterprising capitalists and invariably make the best of every opportunity. Adversity for some is gold for others.
The manager at the local Brookshires down the road told me that he's having a hard time keeping Blue Bell in stock this year. In particular, their Homemade Vanilla is flying off the freezer shelves.
Yep, I am not eating any ice cream but I am putting away the fat free yogurt!
Cactus.
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