Crazy Weather From Coast To Coast

After an exceptionally hot, dry summer, the rain has finally come to Central Texas

. Just how much rain will it take to alleviate the current drought conditions? Considering this is the worst drought Central Texas has experienced since the 1950s, the answer to that is difficult to quantify. Don't expect any let up in the current water restrictions.

According to the Lower Colorado River Authority, year to date the area rainfall is 8 to 12 inches below normal. However, this is the second year of lower than normal rainfall, making it closer to 16 to 20 inches below normal. There are five levels of drought, and a good portion of Travis County has been at the highest "exceptional" level for many months.

According to the Associated Press, drought conditions in Central Texas are improving, especially as the rain keeps coming. Williamson and Burnet Counties, and even parts of northern Travis County are now considered to be in a moderate drought. However, the southern half of Travis County and all of Hays County are now considered to be in a severe drought, upgraded from exceptional drought. Just in the last year of this two year drought, it is estimated that the drought has caused more than $3.6 billion in crop and livestock losses.

What isn't changing significantly, even with all the recent rain, are the lake levels. The National Weather Service says it will take "several periods of sustained heavy, soaking rains to begin refilling lakes Buchanan and Travis." While that kind of rainfall gets the lake levels and local water supplies back to where they are supposed to be, it brings other consequences as well. Just ask Atlanta what it's like to go from drought conditions to catastrophic flooding.

From the drought in Texas to the floods in Georgia, it's difficult these days to find a part of the country not experiencing some kind of unusual weather. According to the National Weather Service, September saw above-average temperatures for most of the country. That is hardly the case in October, as Colorado to Minnesota are seeing early snow. There is more heavy rain forecasted in the south, something places like Atlanta doesn't need. California has gone from wildfires to the danger of mudslides as that state braces for storms. And, then there is a heat wave in Florida.

Much of this crazy weather from coast to coast can be attributed to the climate phenomenon known as El Nino, which affects weather patterns around the globe. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we are in the midst of an El Nino pattern that will have both a positive and negative impact for the next several months. On the positive side, the hurricane season has been milder and the dry southwest will get some much needed rain. "El Nino's negative impacts have included damaging winter storms in California and increased storminess across the southern United States." Starting to sound familiar, isn't it?

by: Ki Gray

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