No water shortages this year

Here in The Woodlands Texas, as well as southeast Texas in general, the last couple of years have been difficult on plant life. Last year, we suffered from high temperatures and drought in the summer, resulting in the loss of many mature and young trees. Watering had to be scheduled. Water rates were adjusted to better conserve our water supply. 

This year is 20% ahead of last year in rainfall volume. Although it is 9% behind the average for this area,  we are still doing fine. We do not have to water our lawns very much. The temperatures have mostly been under 100 degrees, also alleviating some of the demand of our plants for water. Conservation remains a priority but not a day-to-day concern. Hopefully our subterranean reservoirs will be replenished. To understand that, we will have to look at rainfall in the watershed for the producing reservoirs, further to our north.

Through August in Indian Springs, we have accumulated 28.32 inches of rain. This is not the entire story of course, because the frequency of rain has a lot to to do with the need to water our yards. My bank account is grateful for the near normal year. My plants are grateful for survival. I am grateful for not having to spend no much time tending to the plants. Creatures are thankful for a more bountiful harvest in blooms, fruits and seeds.  

Tropical Storm ALEX to become hurricane

This storm after exiting Belize on Sunday is now on a more northerly course and is forecast to strike south of Brownsville. The national weather center has therefore moved its predicted landfall hundreds of miles north in only one day.  Since it remains some five days away, it is worth watching and making initial preparations for a hurricane in southeast Texas. Within the next two days, it is wise to check generators and cut remove dead limbs out of trees. Bulletins are being issues this morning to watch this storm.
One bulletin for Montgomery County

Drought Remains in The Woodlands

After five months into 2010, our water situation looks bleak. Remember 2009? We know that was a bad year. This year promises to be much worse. You are probably tending to your garden like I am. Spot watering in the call for most days now. For 2010, we are 29% behind our normal rainfall, even though we had almost an inch of rain here last night in Indian Springs. At this time last year, we had a deficit rainfall of 16%. Be careful with your use of water. This is the time to be very conscious of waste.

Rain Almost Average So Far

After two months of cold rainy weather, we still did not achieve the average rainfall through February. Lacking almost 0.8 inches compared to the average rainfall for the area. We are doing much better than last year when were falling short 4.4 inches at this time of the year. So maybe we will have more of a normal year though this summer than last. Let's hope so!

Mo AVG rain Avg to date 2009 to  date 2010  to   date Over/ (under) 2009 2010 Over/ (under) average Jan 4.21 4.21 0.49 2.69 2.2 (1.52) Feb 2.97 7.18 2.01 6.41 4.4 (0.77)