| After an exceptionally hot, dry summer, the rain | | | | rainfall gets the lake levels and local water supplies |
| has finally come to Central Texas. Just how much | | | | back to where they are supposed to be, it brings |
| rain will it take to alleviate the current drought | | | | other consequences as well. Just ask Atlanta what |
| conditions? Considering this is the worst drought | | | | it's like to go from drought conditions to |
| Central Texas has experienced since the 1950s, | | | | catastrophic flooding. |
| the answer to that is difficult to quantify. Don't | | | | From the drought in Texas to the floods in |
| expect any let up in the current water | | | | Georgia, it's difficult these days to find a part of |
| restrictions. | | | | the country not experiencing some kind of |
| According to the Lower Colorado River Authority, | | | | unusual weather. According to the National |
| year to date the area rainfall is 8 to 12 inches | | | | Weather Service, September saw above-average |
| below normal. However, this is the second year of | | | | temperatures for most of the country. That is |
| lower than normal rainfall, making it closer to 16 to | | | | hardly the case in October, as Colorado to |
| 20 inches below normal. There are five levels of | | | | Minnesota are seeing early snow. There is more |
| drought, and a good portion of Travis County has | | | | heavy rain forecast in the south, something places |
| been at the highest "exceptional" level for many | | | | like Atlanta doesn't need. California has gone from |
| months. | | | | wildfires to the danger of mudslides as that state |
| According to the Associated Press, drought | | | | braces for storms. And, then there is a heat |
| conditions in Central Texas are improving, | | | | wave in Florida. |
| especially as the rain keeps coming. Williamson and | | | | Much of this crazy weather from coast to coast |
| Burnet Counties, and even parts of northern | | | | can be attributed to the climate phenomenon |
| Travis County are now considered to be in a | | | | known as El Nino, which affects weather patterns |
| moderate drought. However, the southern half of | | | | around the globe. According to the National |
| Travis County and all of Hays County are now | | | | Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we are |
| considered to be in a severe drought, upgraded | | | | in the midst of an El Nino pattern that will have |
| from exceptional drought. Just in the last year of | | | | both a positive and negative impact for the next |
| this two year drought, it is estimated that the | | | | several months. On the positive side, the hurricane |
| drought has caused more than $3.6 billion in crop | | | | season has been milder and the dry southwest |
| and livestock losses. | | | | will get some much needed rain. "El Nino's negative |
| What isn't changing significantly, even with all the | | | | impacts have included damaging winter storms in |
| recent rain, are the lake levels. The National | | | | California and increased storminess across the |
| Weather Service says it will take "several periods | | | | southern United States." Starting to sound familiar, |
| of sustained heavy, soaking rains to begin refilling | | | | isn't it? |
| lakes Buchanan and Travis." While that kind of | | | | |