Do you find yourself talking about the weather these days? A lot!? It’s got to be in the top two things that I talk about the most lately. I know that blogging about the weather is a dull choice of subjects, but our weather is so astonishing I really feel the need to comment.
First, while everyone around us seems to have had a shower now and then, we have gone without rain for close to a month, possibly more. When my sisters came to help me with the gardens, my youngest sister saw to it that the sprinkler was set up and moved. That was two and a half weeks ago, and we were really dry at that point. I was astonished at the response of the gardens, and I realized that I was going to have to water some part of the gardens every day.
Earlier this week the weather forecasters said that we would have 30% chance of showers on Friday and Saturday. Yesterday in the early afternoon, a storm blew in and rained hit or miss over the northern and western suburbs. Usually 30% chance reads as “Don’t count on any rain today.” The Cubs deserted the field because the cell over the ballpark was violent.
Shortly after 1:00, we finally had a short gentle rain. It lasted about 20 minutes. I was away, having lunch with a friend, and when I returned the only way I could tell it had rained was a plate-sized puddle at the end of the driveway.
We decided to go out at 4:00 on an errand for the company. Dear Husband rode shotgun to keep me company. I’ve made this particular trip hundreds of times, and wasn’t worried about driving. On our way home we ran into a little rain, and then more rain, and finally into a LOT OF RAIN!! At one point I was relieved that the guy ahead of me had on his hazard lights so I could see him and maintain a safe distance. The rain came down even harder until I couldn’t see his lights! I thought about pulling over, but I was on a stretch where there were no turns or side roads. I moved to the inner lane to avoid creating rooster tails with the standing water. The sewer openings just couldn’t keep up with the downpour.
When we got home, there were a few tiny branches here and there, but there was no serious damage. I was glad to have the rain. We weathered it (pun intended), and my gardens perked up.
We have the possibility of more storms this afternoon and tomorrow. I don’t count on it, but it would be really nice to have more rain. Could I put my bid in for about six days of gentle rain?
Do you think our climate is changing permanently, or is this year a fluke? Do you think that industrialized nations have caused this change? Do you think that all the building we do in cities and suburbs, and the interstate roads, affect our weather? Personally, I think we need to be supporting much more study on these subjects. I bet I could surf and find 100 frivolous grants which would have been better spent assessing man’s impact on the weather.