Neverending Drought in Central Texas

“Despite Summer's Wet End, Drought Still Lingers”

– Austin American Statesman (B1), 9-22-13

 

2.     Category: Environment

3.     Level: Local

4.     This article involves a problem/issue that both individuals and families face.

5.     This article is important to both individuals and families because of the effects that this never ending drought has caused many in this area. Although individuals only see the drought has hot weather resulting in water restrictions, this drought affects our local rivers, lakes, and wildlife.

6.     I first moved to this area August 2011 from Southeast Texas. For those unfamiliar to the weather in that area, let me paint a picture for you. 85 percent of the days in Southeast Texas consisted of extremely humid, rainy days (Lots of rainy days!!). So moving to this dry “desert” was quite a change for this girl. Walking through campus in the 110 degree whether resulted in quite a few gallons of water consumed each day and many trips down the San Marcos River. Not only are these conditions unfavorable for individuals, but they are extremely unfavorable for the environment. Unless there is a change in weather over the next few years, many plants and animals will continue to suffer and could ultimately die do to the extreme conditions. Although the temperatures in the last two summers have not been as extreme, Central Texas is still experiencing hot, dry, and rainless weather. According to this article, these conditions should be expected through the end of the year as well. There is good news, though! “Near normal temperatures and precipitation” is to be expected for the Fall weather. What does this mean? Well they state it perfectly in the article, “a normal fall in Central Texas can include freezing cold snaps, torrential rains and maybe a tropical depression or two.” There is no telling what this fall’s weather will bring for this area, but I sure am hoping for a few more inches/feet of rain! Perhaps we should do a few rain dances so that our local river’s water levels will go back up. Also, maybe next time I visit my family back home, I won’t be so amazed at how green their grass and trees are compared to ours here in the hill country!