33 Search Results for "drought"

• AUSTRALIA RED SKY: GREAT VIDEO

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:
    Australia's worst dust storm in 70 years blanketed the heavily populated east coast Wednesday in a cloud of red Outback grit, nearly closed the country's largest airport and left millions of people coughing and sputtering in the streets.

    No one was hurt as a result of the pall that swept in overnight, bringing an eerie orange dawn to Sydney, but ambulance services reported a spike in emergency calls from people with breathing difficulties, and police warned drivers to take it easy on the roads.

    Dust clouds blowing east from Australia's dry interior — parched even further by the worst drought on record — covered dozens of towns and cities in two states as strong winds snatched up tons of topsoil, threw it high into the sky and carried it hundreds of miles (kilometers).

    International flights were diverted from Sydney to other cities — three from New Zealand were turned around altogether — and domestic schedules were thrown into chaos as operations at Sydney Airport were curtailed by unsafe visibility levels. Passenger ferries on the city's famous harbor were also stopped for several hours for safety reasons.

    The storms — visible as a huge brown smudge in satellite photographs of Australia on Wednesday — are the most severe since the 1940s, experts said. One was recorded traveling from southern Australia all the way to New Zealand some 1,400 miles (2,220 kilometers) away.

    By ROHAN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer Rohan Sullivan, Associated Press Writer – Wed Sep 23, 4:10 am ET

    Here is some of the video of the red and weird looking sky caused by the rare and massive dust storm.

    You can see the dust storm from space...impressive!

    

     

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 291
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• 1ST AUTUMN RAIN: MUST SEE

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    What a way to start off Fall...lots of rain and much cooler weather. Just yesterday it was sunny, hot and dry. Today it is just the opposite. Rounds and rounds of soaking rain without severe weather. Plus it is 20 to 30 degrees cooler. We have been waiting for this weather pattern change for months. What a welcome sight!

    Here are the rain totals from 11 am Tuesday. It is still raining so totals will probably end up slightly higher.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I did some research and found out that we were way overdue for a rainy month.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The other big story....autumn temperatures on the way just in time for the start of the new season.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Kind of chilly tomorrow morning. I think it will be refreshing. Enjoy because we are back into the 90s over the weekend.

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
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• DROUGHT RELIEF!!!

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    It took months but all the ingredients came together to give us a decent rain event. The dry ground has been begging for rain and Mother Nature finally delivered. More rain is on the way. What a beautiful sight...rain gauges getting a workout. Here are the rain totals from Thursday.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    We have a low pressure system parked over Del Rio. As long as we are east of the low, we are in good shape for more soggy weather. I noticed another upper low spinning over the Southwest that will enhance the rain activity for Saturday and Sunday.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This is the perfect setup for drought and heat relief.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The low and front will move to the east late on Sunday. This is when the rain will decrease and things will dry out.

    How much more rain? Here is the latest model run. I like it.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Have a great weekend and stay dry!!!!

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 262
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• Summer Heat & Drought Tally

  • From: scottprinsen
  • Description:

    What a miserably hot and dry summer it has been! And now that August is drawing to a close, I thought I'd share some information from The National Weather Service on how the summer of '09 has stacked up in terms of heat and drought across our region. Keep in mind that it has been similarly hot and dry for San Antonio and most of South Texas, too. It's a good read.

    Come on, Autumn!

    Scott Prinsen

    
    PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
    NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
    1110 AM CDT FRI AUG 28 2009
    
    ...HOT DAYS IN THE SUMMER OF 2009...
    ...DRY CONDITIONS PERSIST THIS SUMMER...
    
    CONTINUED DRY WEATHER WITH HOT AFTERNOONS SINCE JUNE IN AN ON GOING 
    DROUGHT...AND THE PERSISTENT 2009 SUMMER SUBTROPICAL RIDGE OVER 
    SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS IS MAKING THE SUMMER OF 2009 A SUMMER FOR THE 
    RECORD BOOKS.  JUNE 1ST TO AUGUST 27TH...2009 WAS THE WARMEST
    JUNE 1ST TO AUGUST 27TH AT AUSTIN MABRY...DEL RIO...AND SAN ANTONIO.
    
    AS OF JULY 31ST...2009...JULY 2009 WAS THE WARMEST JULY AND MONTH 
    FOR AUSTIN MABRY AND SAN ANTONIO...AND THE 3RD WARMEST JULY AND 
    MONTH OF RECORD FOR DEL RIO.  THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2009 IS SO
    FAR ON TRACK TO BECOME ONE OF THE WARMER MONTHS OF AUGUST.  FROM
    AUGUST 1ST TO 27TH...THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE WAS 89.9 AT AUSTIN MABRY...
    88.9 AT SAN ANTONIO...AND 90.0 AT DEL RIO.  WITH A FEW MORE DAYS LEFT
    IN AUGUST...THE FINAL FIGURES FOR AUGUST 2009 COULD CHANGE.
    
    IN THE MEANTIME...THE 3 WARMEST AUGUST MONTHS THROUGH YEAR 2008 
    ARE LISTED BELOW.
    
    AUSTIN MABRY WARMEST MONTHS OF AUGUST...1854 TO 2008
    
    1. 88.5   AUGUST 2006
    2. 88.3   AUGUST 1999
    3. 87.6   AUGUST 1951
    
    DEL RIO WARMEST MONTHS OF AUGUST...1906 TO 2008
    
    1. 89.3   AUGUST 1952
    2. 89.0   AUGUST 1911 AND 1951
    3. 88.8   AUGUST 1962
    
    SAN ANTONIO WARMEST MONTHS OF AUGUST...1885 TO 2008
    
    1. 88.3   AUGUST 2006
    2. 87.5   AUGUST 1962
    3. 87.3   AUGUST 1993
    
    TO SEE HOW WARM THE SUMMER OF 2009 IS SO FAR...THE TABLE BELOW 
    COMPARES THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FOR JUNE 1ST TO AUGUST 27TH...2009 
    WITH THE WARMEST JUNE TO AUGUST PERIODS FROM THE PAST.
    
    AUSTIN MABRY WARMEST JUNE 1ST TO AUGUST 27TH PERIODS FROM
    DAILY CLIMATE DATA FROM 1898 TO 2009...AN 88 DAY PERIOD
    
    1.  88.6   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...2009
    2.  86.8   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...2008
    3.  86.7   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...1998
    
    AUSTIN MABRY WARMEST JUNE TO AUGUST PERIODS FROM MONTHLY DATA 
    FROM 1854 THROUGH 2008.
    
    1.  86.7   JUNE TO AUGUST 1998 AND 2008
    2.  86.2   JUNE TO AUGUST 1925 AND 1980
    3.  86.1   JUNE TO AUGUST 1923
    4.  85.8   JUNE TO AUGUST 1956 AND 2006
    5.  85.7   JUNE TO AUGUST 1886...1918 AND 1954
    
    SAN ANTONIO WARMEST JUNE 1ST TO AUGUST 27TH PERIODS FROM 
    DAILY CLIMATE DATA FROM 1885 TO 2009...AN 88 DAY PERIOD
    
    1.  88.0   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...2009
    2.  86.3   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...1980
    3.  86.2   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...1994
    
    SAN ANTONIO WARMEST JUNE TO AUGUST PERIODS FROM MONTHLY DATA 
    FROM 1885 THROUGH 2008.
    
    1.  86.2   JUNE TO AUGUST 1980 AND 1994
    2.  86.0   JUNE TO AUGUST 1998
    3.  85.9   JUNE TO AUGUST 2006
    4.  85.6   JUNE TO AUGUST 1962
    5.  85.4   JUNE TO AUGUST 1990
    
    DEL RIO WARMEST JUNE 1ST TO AUGUST 27TH PERIODS FROM DAILY CLIMATE
    DATA FROM 1906 TO 2009...AN 88 DAY PERIOD  
    
    1.  89.1   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...2009
    2.  88.9   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...1998
    3.  88.7   JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...1953 AND JUNE 1 TO AUGUST 27...2001
    
    DEL RIO WARMEST JUNE TO AUGUST PERIODS FROM MONTHLY DATA FROM 1906 
    THROUGH 2008
    
    1.  88.7   JUNE TO AUGUST 1998
    2.  88.5   JUNE TO AUGUST 1953
    3.  88.4   JUNE TO AUGUST 2001
    4.  87.8   JUNE TO AUGUST 1951
    5.  87.6   JUNE TO AUGUST 1996
    
    AS OF AUGUST 27TH...THE NUMBER OF 100 DEGREE DAYS FOR 2009 WAS AS 
    FOLLOWS...
    
    AUSTIN MABRY.............................67 
    AUSTIN BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...55 
    BURNET...................................27 
    DEL RIO..................................65 
    HONDO....................................68
    KERRVILLE................................31
    LA GRANGE................................54
    LLANO....................................50
    NEW BRAUNFELS............................71
    PLEASANTON...............................58
    SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT........58 
    SAN ANTONIO STINSON FIELD................69
    SAN MARCOS...............................63
    UVALDE...................................67
    
    IN SOME YEARS...NO 100 DEGREE DAYS WERE OBSERVED.  IN THE 1970S...
    SAN ANTONIO DID NOT HAVE ANY 100 DEGREE DAYS FROM 1972 TO 1977...AND
    IN 1979.  IN THE 1970S AUSTIN DID NOT REPORT ANY 100 DEGREE DAYS IN 
    1973...1975 AND 1979...AND DEL RIO HAD NO 100 DEGREE DAYS IN 1976. 
    IN 2007 DEL RIO AND SAN ANTONIO DID NOT REPORT ANY 100 DEGREE 
    DAYS...WHILE AT AUSTIN FOR 2007 THERE WERE 3 100 DEGREE DAYS. 
    
    IN SOME YEARS THE EARLIEST 100 DEGREE DAYS CAME AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY AND
    MARCH...AND THE LATEST CAME IN LATE SEPTEMBER TO EARLY OCTOBER.
    AT SAN ANTONIO THE EARLIEST 100 DEGREE DAY WAS FEBRUARY 21...1996
    WHEN THE HIGH WAS 100...AND THE LATEST WAS 104 ON SEPTEMBER 
    28...2005. AT AUSTIN MABRY THE EARLIEST 100 DEGREE DAY WAS 100 ON 
    MAY 4...1984...AND THE LATEST WAS 100 ON OCTOBER 2...1938.  AT
    DEL RIO THE EARLIEST 100 DEGREE DAY WAS MARCH 16...1908 WHEN THE 
    HIGH WAS 100...AND THE LATEST WAS 101 ON OCTOBER 4...1956.  NEARLY 
    30 YEARS AGO ON OCTOBER 3...1979 THE HIGH AT DEL RIO WAS 106.
    
    SO FAR IN THE SUMMER OF 2009...EXTREME ALL TIME MONTHLY HIGHS  
    HAVE NOT BEEN OBSERVED YET...HOWEVER SEVERAL RECORD DAILY HIGHS AND
    WARMEST DAILY LOWS HAVE OCCURRED.  THE HEAT FOR THE SUMMER OF 2009 
    HAS BEEN OF LONG DURATION...NEARLY CONTINUOUS SINCE JUNE.
    
    THE HOTTEST DAYS THIS YEAR AS OF AUGUST 27TH ARE LISTED BELOW.
    
    LOCATION                  HOTTEST DAYS AND DATE
    
    AUSTIN MABRY         106 JUNE 25...JUNE 29...AND JULY 8
    AUSTIN BERGSTROM     107 JUNE 25
    BURNET               103 JULY 8...JULY 9...AND JULY 16
    DEL RIO              107 MAY 6
    FREDERICKSBURG       101 JUNE 25...JULY 8...AND JULY 9
    HONDO                105 JULY 5 AND JULY 8
    KERRVILLE            104 JUNE 29...JULY 5...JULY 8...AND JULY 9
    LA GRANGE            105 JUNE 25
    LLANO                106 JULY 16 AND 26...AUGUST 5...6...11...AND 23
    NEW BRAUNFELS        107 JUNE 25 
    PLEASANTON           105 AUGUST 23
    ROCKSPRINGS          100 JULY 8 AND JULY 9
    SAN ANTONIO          104 JUNE 29...JULY 5...JULY 8...JULY 9...AND AUGUST 23
    SAN ANTONIO STINSON  107 JULY 5
    SAN MARCOS           106 JUNE 25...JUNE 29...AND JULY 5
    UVALDE               108 MAY 8 AND JULY 9 
    
    THE LIMITED RAINFALL FROM JUNE TO AUGUST SO FAR THIS YEAR IS
    MAKING THE JUNE TO AUGUST 2009 PERIOD ONE OF THE DRIER JUNE TO 
    AUGUST PERIODS OF RECORD.  AS OF 7 AM CDT...AUGUST 28TH...THE 
    RAINFALL THIS SUMMER SINCE JUNE 1ST HAS BEEN 1.38 INCHES AT
    SAN ANTONIO...2.37 INCHES AT AUSTIN MABRY AND 3.29 INCHES AT DEL RIO.
    
    THE TABLE BELOW LISTS THE DRIEST JUNE TO AUGUST PERIODS FROM THE 
    BEGINNING OF RECORD THROUGH YEAR 2008.
    
    DRIEST JUNE TO AUGUST FROM 1856 TO 2008 AT AUSTIN MABRY
    
     1.  0.92  JUNE TO AUGUST 1910
     2.  1.45  JUNE TO AUGUST 1934
     3.  1.49  JUNE TO AUGUST 1977
     4.  1.50  JUNE TO AUGUST 1884
     5.  1.77  JUNE TO AUGUST 1980
    
    DRIEST JUNE TO AUGUST FROM 1871 TO 2008 AT SAN ANTONIO
    
     1.  1.13  JUNE TO AUGUST 1871
     2.  1.81  JUNE TO AUGUST 1911
     3.  2.00  JUNE TO AUGUST 1938
     4.  2.06  JUNE TO AUGUST 1982
     5.  2.29  JUNE TO AUGUST 1910
    
    DRIEST JUNE TO AUGUST FROM 1906 TO 2008 AT DEL RIO
    
     1.  0.28  JUNE TO AUGUST 1956
     2.  0.48  JUNE TO AUGUST 2001
     3.  0.62  JUNE TO AUGUST 1951
     4.  0.65  JUNE TO AUGUST 1952
     5.  0.75  JUNE TO AUGUST 1989
    
    YEAR TO DATE RAINFALL AS OF 7 AM CDT...AUGUST 28TH...2009 SHOWS
    JANUARY TO AUGUST 2009 AS ONE THE DRIER JANUARY TO AUGUST PERIODS
    SO FAR...WITH ONLY 7.21 INCHES OF RAIN AT DEL RIO...8.43 INCHES OF
    RAIN AT SAN ANTONIO...AND 12.23 INCHES OF RAIN AT AUSTIN MABRY.
    BY SEPTEMBER 1ST THE FINAL FIGURES FOR JANUARY TO AUGUST 2009 
    COULD CHANGE.
    
    IN THE MEANTIME...THE DRIEST JANUARY TO AUGUST PERIODS THROUGH
    YEAR 2008 ARE LISTED BELOW.
    
    AUSTIN MABRY DRIEST JANUARY TO AUGUST PERIODS 1856 TO 2008
    
     1.  7.51  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1925
     2.  8.75  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1954
     3.  9.59  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1956
     4. 10.06  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1984
     5. 10.45  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1917
     6. 11.91  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1912
     7. 12.01  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1879
     8. 12.03  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1963
     9. 12.10  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1893
    10. 12.14  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1875
    
    SAN ANTONIO DRIEST JANUARY TO AUGUST PERIODS 1871 TO 2008
    
     1.  7.16  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1925
     2.  7.49  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1917
     3.  8.41  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1871
     4.  8.98  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1925
     5.  9.24  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1910
     6.  9.44  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1996
     7. 10.23  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1956
     8. 10.24  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1953
     9. 10.60  JANUARY TO AUGUST 2006
    10. 10.69  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1902
    
    DEL RIO DRIEST JANUARY TO AUGUST PERIODS 1906 TO 2008
    
     1.  0.98  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1956
     2.  3.10  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1937
     3.  3.47  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1933
     4.  4.13  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1967
     5.  4.33  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1962
     6.  4.55  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1951 AND 2001
     7.  4.75  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1953
     8.  5.69  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1924
     9.  5.89  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1989
    10.  6.10  JANUARY TO AUGUST 1952
    

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  • 3 months ago
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• WORST DROUGHT EVER?

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    We will remember this Summer for a very long time. First of all, it will go down as the hottest Summer ever and the drought keeps getting worse and worse.

    Here is the latest from the drought monitor...

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Caldwell, Bastrop and Lee Counties dealing with worst drought ever.

    We need a bunch of rain to catch up.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The lack of rain is responsible for the record-breaking Summer. If this latest heat wave keeps up, this Summer will be the hottest ever by a bunch.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is the AP article about the recent drought. They talked to my professors at Texas A&M University.

    New information shows that at least nine Texas counties are experiencing their worst drought in history, and much of the state is facing the worst drought conditions in the United States, according to information compiled by Texas A&M University researchers. Contributing to the problem is the heat - Texas is having one of its hottest summers ever.John Nielsen-Gammon, professor of atmospheric sciences who also serves as the Texas State Climatologist, notes that areas in South Central Texas are experiencing their driest period ever. These include the counties of Bastrop, Caldwell and Lee in Central Texas and Victoria, Bee, San Patricio, Live Oak, Jim Wells and Duval in South Central Texas.These core drought areas are experiencing their most severe drought on record, at least since 1895 when modern record-keeping began, Nielsen-Gammon says. About 26 percent of the state is in extreme or exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.Smithville in Bastrop County has received only 35 percent of its normal rainfall for the past 15 months and Victoria only 34 percent. Its the second most intense drought ever for San Antonio and the third most intense for Corpus Christi.He notes that the previous major drought years in Central and Southern Texas were in 1917, 1918, 1925, 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1971.

    All droughts are different, and its difficult to compare them, he notes. The year 1956 marked the last of several years of drought, so it brought severe water shortages. The current drought is only two years old, but it has already broken many records.While Central and South Central Texas are baking, parts of the state have enjoyed unusually high amounts of rain, he adds.Despite the major drought, about 50 percent of Texas is not suffering from a drought at all, he explains.These areas include much of West Texas and Northeast Texas, where there has been plenty of rain this year, and in some places, more than enough.As for the drought, he notes that several factors have combined to make this one of Texas hottest summers. They include a La Nina, where colder-than-normal waters in the Pacific affect rainfall amounts over much of the Southwestern United States; tropical weather systems that have missed Texas; and an absence of frontal precipitation this spring from cold fronts that normally bring abundant rainfall.Dry soils warm up faster, and a stationary upper-level ridge has compounded the problem, he explains.Weve seen August-like heat for almost the entire summer, and that doesnt happen often. July was the second warmest on record for much of Texas. Weve already seen large areas of crop failures and extremely low amounts of feed for cattle, forcing many ranchers to sell off parts of their herds. For livestock owners, this has been a terrible year.

    There is one glimmer of hope, he says.A fairly strong El Nino (warmer waters than usual) is developing in the Pacific and this could bring us some much-needed rainfall by this winter, he says. But until then, its up to the tropics and whatever tropical disturbances come our way.

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
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• AUGUST OUTLOOK

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    Well, we are coming off the hottest july and month ever with average temp of 89.5 and average high of 102. What can we expect in August? More heat and drought!

    It is only early August and we have 43 100 degree days and counting.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    We are still on pace to have the hottest summer ever.

    If this keeps up, the record for most 100 degree days could be in jeopardy.

    Here is the outlook for August. Don't expect any surprises unless things heat up in the tropics.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
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• 32+ MILLION ACRE DROUGHT!

  • From: scottfisher
  • Description:

    
    

    This amazing graphic comes to us courtesy of The Texas Department of Agriculture.

    Bottom line...32 million acres of Texas are in an "exceptional drought"...

     

    that is more than the entire states of:

    Connecticut

    New Jersey

    Hawaii

    Delaware

    Rhode Island

    Massachusetts

    New Hampshire

    and Vermont

     

    COMBINED!!!!

     

    WOW.

     

    Scott Fisher

    

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• The Economic Recession and Tex

  • From: austinrealestatenews
  • Description:

    The Federal Reserve has determined that household net worth--all the things of value a person has like houses and checking accounts--dropped nine percent in the last three months. This is the biggest quarterly decline in over fifty years. Things seem bad for the average American these days, but nine percent is nothing compared to the 25% drop in wealth of Dell Inc. CEO Michael Dell.
    
    What's even more interesting is, despite losing billions of dollars last year, Dell actually moved up 15 spots in the list of the world's billionaires. Forbes' annual list of all the world's billionaires was shorter this year and added up to a quite a bit less money. According to an Austin-American Statesman article this week, compared to last year's list of 1,125 billionaires there were only 793 making the list this year. The worth of the world's billionaires was nearly half of what it was last year, dropping from $4.4 trillion to $2.4 trillion.
    
    The average American struggling to make ends meet probably doesn't feel much sympathy for the "struggling" billionaire. However, losing $18 billion dollars can't feel that great to Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates. In Gate's case, this could mean millions less available for his many charitable contributions, not just a little less caviar in the pantry.
    
    The household net worth of Americans has dropped for the sixth straight quarter after reaching a historical high of $64.36 billion in mid 2007. The household net worth is nationally 20 percent below that peak right now. Most Americans feel this drop acutely as paychecks and bank accounts are shrinking.
    
    The unemployment rate is above 10 percent in states like California, South Carolina and Rhode Island. Michigan has the nation's highest jobless rate at 11.6 percent. Texas has been fortunate to have seen some job growth in the last year, keeping the state unemployment rate under seven percent. It is slightly lower for the Austin metro area. The national unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in February.
    
    There was a little good news this week as Citigroup reported a modest profit, causing the stock market to rebound. Both JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup operated at a profit in January and February, a first since 2007. The stock market has remained steady on the hopefulness of the good news this week after weeks of record lows.
    
    But it seems for the most part the news remains grim as companies continue to cut jobs. President Obama said this week that things are not as bad as people think. He is afraid that the nation is working under a "Chicken Little" mentality right now when they should be looking to future with more confidence. While there may be some disparity between the reality versus the perception of this recession, there is no arguing that the financial landscape is different for everyone these days. From the billionaire on down, the bank statement doesn't look as good as it has in years past.
    
    Texas was one of the last states to start feeling the squeeze of this recession and our rugged landscape in many ways remains relatively unchanged. As home prices in the Austin real estate market have started to slide down and unemployment has started to creep up, the area continues to show its resilience. This week is a good example, as drought conditions get a little break with some rain and Austinites celebrate South By Southwest, the future may seem a little more hopeful. It's all relative.
    
    Ki graduated from the University of Texas, and now works in the Austin real estate market. He maintains a website, which has a searchable database drawing from Austin MLS. His site has information on historical mortgage rates along with general information on the Austin real estate market and neighborhood statistics.

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• RAIN AND COOLER TEMPS?

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    You can officially complain about the heat because we just lived through the hottest 30 day period ever. We are at 30 100 degree days and counting and we haven't seen a raindrop for the last 16 days. If this heat wave keeps up we will experience the hottest July ever and we are coming off the 2nd hottest June on record. The red numbers indicate a tied or broken record.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    We are overdue for change and we will get it this weekend.

    The heat machine (dome of high pressure) has finally released it's grip on us and has migrated to the west. This is a good thing.

    It puts the area in a northwesterly flow so any storms that form along a weak front in North Texas have a chance to make it into our neighborhoods.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Today, expect isolated storms late in the day but over the weekend the rain will be more scattered. Most of the models are starting to agree about more rain and heat relief in Central Texas.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    If you are going to be outside this weekend, just keep a close eye on the sky late in the day.

    How much rain?

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    It won't be a drought-buster because we need 30 inches of rain to catch up to normal levels.

    Enjoy the change before the rain turns off and heat builds again.

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• LAKE TRAVIS UPDATE

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    This morning Lake Travis dipped below 640' for the 1st time in 25 years. It is at the 4th lowest level on record. The LCRA is predicting the lake to drop to 635 at the end of August. That would be 3rd lowest level on record. Here are some photos of how the current drought is impacting Lake Travis.

    This first one is from July 2007. After the big flood in Marble Falls, Lake Travis was full for the 1st time in years.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The islands are getting bigger and bigger. They have been around so long there is grass growing on them. Notice the drop off near the marina.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Windy Point now is in the middle of the lake.

    I hope the wet forecast for this Fall and Winter comes true or we will nearing the record low of 614' by early next year.

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• HEAT ADVISORY

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO HAS ISSUED A
    HEAT ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THURSDAY.
    
    EXPECT AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 105 TO 110. ACTUAL HIGH
    TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM 101 TO 106 DEGREES AND BE CLOSE TO OR
    BREAK RECORDS FOR THE DATES...WHILE OVERNIGHT LOWS WILL BE NEAR 80
    DEGREES.
    
    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
    
    A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS
    EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY WILL
    COMBINE TO CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE IS
    LIKELY FOR THOSE OUTSIDE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AIR-
    CONDITIONING...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND
    NEIGHBORS.
    
    Nearing record levels the next few days....
    
    Here are the record highs for the city.
    
    Today      105 (1939)
    Thursday 105 (1925)
    Friday      105 (1917)
    
    At the airport..
    
    Today       102  (1956)
    Thursday  102 (1956)
    Friday       103 (1954)
    
    High pressure will be migrating eastward and will anchor itself over Texas. 
    This high will keep the rain out and trap in the heat.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    This hot and dry pattern could last through next week.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    So far we have experienced 21 100 degree days by the end of next week we will have over 30.
    By the way, the average is 12 and last year we ended up with 50 (third most).
    
    Find a cool spot and stay there.

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• Heat Drags On

  • From: scottprinsen
  • Description:

    My blog from last weekend looks very familiar to this one. With the exception of last Friday, we have hit 100 or greater now every day since the weekend of June 13. Our hottest day was Saturday the 20th when Camp Mabry topped 102. For some perspective, let's look back at last June's climate at Camp Mabry...

                            June 2008

    • 14 days by 6-21 of 100+ degree days
    • 20 total days of 100+ temperatures
    • 0.74" of rain

     

                            June 2009

    • 8 days of 100+ temperatures as of 6-21
    • 0.96" of rain so far

     

    Many similarities to June '08... and the drought has also continued since then as well. We will fall short of the 20 100 degree days we saw last June, but only by a few days.

    Triple digit heat will continue this entire week as a strong ridge of high pressure lingers over the area. We may actually see our hottest temperatures so far this year sometime between Tuesday and Thursday as the ridge will be directly overhead.

    Our long range computer model forecasts do indicate the possibility of the ridge shifting north of us and weakening a bit toward next weekend. That could mean slightly cooler temperatures(upper 90s) by then. Also, if the ridge is north of us, that means more of an easterly flow from the Gulf... and our models show that sometime during the last week of the month, we could have enough moisture in place for a chance of rain. Still, a long way off, but that seems to be the only noteworthy change I see on the horizon.

    Keep cool this week!

    Scott Prinsen

     

     

  • Blog post
  • 5 months ago
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• Spring Lake Drought conditions

  • From: scubashawn
  • Description:

    EThan,

     

    What is the status of the flow rates of the spirngs?

     

    Has the recent rains helped to increase flow?

     

    What are the outcome of a summer drought to the Springs?

     

     

     

    Shawn

  • Blog post
  • 6 months ago
  • Views: 172
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• 45dead 378000,homlessBRASIL

  • From: CRYSTALCHRIS
  • Description:

    BRASILIA, (AFP) – Severe flooding over the last month brought on by torrential rains has killed 45 people across northern Brazil and forced some 378,000 others to evacuate their homes, mainly to emergency shelters, officials said.

    The National Civil Defense Secretariat said deaths have occurred in eight out of the 11 states severely affected by the flooding, including Ceara with 15 deaths, 10 in Maranhao and seven in Bahia in the perennially drought-stricken northeast; and eight deaths in the northern state of Amazonas.

    Over one million people in some 407 municipalities have been affected, including several areas placed under a state of emergency, with flooding on roadways leaving many towns and cities cut off from the outside world.

    An initial government estimate put the damage at nearly 500 million dollars.

    President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has visited inundated areas and met with flood victims and local authorities, promising government aid.

    Southern Brazil, meanwhile, was experiencing its worst drought in 80 years, with authorities declaring a state of emergency in more than 100 municipalities.

  • Blog post
  • 6 months ago
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• WILDFIRES BURN TEXAS & OLK.

  • From: CRYSTALCHRIS
  • Description:

    MIDWEST CITY, Okla. – Fire crews in Oklahoma and Texas raced Thursday to control wind-whipped wildfires that destroyed dozens of homes, forced evacuations and shut down parts of a major highway.

    Howling wind that had gusted to more than 50 mph grounded firefighting efforts by air in Oklahoma and drove blazes that scorched neighborhoods like "a war zone," Midwest City police Chief Brandon Clabes said.

    The blaze blackened vehicles and destroyed about 25 homes in the suburb southeast of Oklahoma City, Clabes said, adding that a fire had erupted at a broken natural gas line.

    "The wind is the biggest issue, because we can't get ahead of the fires," Midwest City Fire Marshal Jerry Lojka said. The National Weather Service said wind gusts topped 40 mph by Thursday evening.

    Some residents in the eastern part of the city were told to head to a community center. The Lincoln County town of Sparks, which has about 150 residents, was also told to evacuate because of a large wildfire.

    In Lincoln County, a firefighter suffered major burns and was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital, Chandler Emergency Management Director Larry Hicks said.

    He said some crews already helping with blazes were being redirected because "there are fires everywhere."

    "We've got fires breaking out where they've already been put out," he said.

    Tricia Smith, who left her home in Midwest City, said the fire engulfed parts of her neighborhood.

    "We thought we were safe, but in 30 minutes the fire went everywhere," she said.

    Most of the state was under high wind warnings and red flag warnings, which indicate extreme fire danger, and the eastern half of the state was under a tornado watch.

    Near Lindsay, about 55 miles south of Oklahoma City, 12 homes were destroyed and 20 more were being threatened, said Eric Johnson, Purcell's city manager. At least six homes and one church burned to the ground in Carter County and the number of destroyed properties was expected to rise, said Chester Agan, county assistant emergency management director.

    Interstate 35, the state's main north-south highway, was closed in the county as well as in Payne County, where at least 12 agencies were battling a blaze estimated at five to six miles wide, said Kirk Mittlestet, emergency management director for Stillwater. Wind-whipped grass fires in western Oklahoma also closed State Highway 152.

    Near the Oklahoma state line, firefighters in Texas battled a nearly 8-square-mile wildfire near Electra that destroyed two large commercial buildings and forced the evacuation of about 800 residents and a nursing home, according to the Texas Forest Service.

    Crews also were fighting a 6-square-mile fire that destroyed three homes east of Archer City, about 90 miles northwest of Fort Worth. Residents near Breckenridge were evacuated when a nearly 5-square-mile fire threatened an apartment complex, the forest service said.

    Montague County Judge Ted Winn said as many as 10 fires were raging across northern Texas, where winds were reported at about 60 mph. A fire at Lake Mineral Wells State Park in Parker County that destroyed one home and threatened 50 others was being spread by 40 mph winds, county spokesman Joel Kertok said.

    He said another blaze in four Hudson Oaks subdivisions that destroyed four structures was 90 percent contained, and residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return home.

    Lewis Kearney, another Forest Service spokesman, said fires also were reported in parts of the northern and central Texas counties of Hamilton, San Saba, Brown, Jones, Palo Pinto, Hood and Cooke. More than 93 percent of the state was under some stage of drought, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday.

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• 1ST APRIL RAIN

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    Mother Nature gave us a early morning wake up call with heavy rain and thunder. The potent upper low to our north surprised us and delivered us a round of much needed rain.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    We did get reports of pea sized hail around Johnson City, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Northwest Austin and Rosanky. For the most part we were spared the severe weather and just received a shot of soggy weather. How much rain? Here is a look at the estimated rain totals from radar.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Areas in green got between .50 and 1 inch of rain. Here in Austin at Camp Mabry we received .30" and ABIA got .23". That doesn't get rid of the drought but it will help our gardens and lawns.

    The rain is gone now we have to gear up for a very windy day.

    All of the area is under a WIND ADVISORY until 5 p.m. Expect wind gusts reaching 35 to 45 mph and a wall of West Texas dust!!!!

    As the low marches east, it will be a very stormy and dangerous day in the Deep South.

    

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• Crawfish Anyone?

  • From: sainthero
  • Description:

    Every year the O'Keefe clan from the County of New Orleans holds there annual St. Patrick's Day Crawfish boil. This year we had one of our largest showings with close to 50 people in attendance.  It was much fun despite the cold weather.  Zack said it was 50 degrees, but it felt more like 40.  My friend, Dominique, took this video below which shows my pops and I boiling some mudbugs.  The crawfish were hard to get this year due to drought, Hurricane Ike and Gustav.  Still, I was able to purchase some pretty good size crawdads.  100 pounds later there was nothing left.  Enjoy the video and if you're looking for the O'Keefe Crawfish boil recipe, I'm always happy to share it with others.

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 257
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• New Lake Level Projections

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    Earlier this week we had a chance to talk to the fine folks from the Lower Colorado River Authority. The main topic...How the drought is impacting the area lakes. Plus they gave us a glimpse on what the lake levels will look like by this Summer if the dry weather continues.

    This is what Lake Travis looked like after the Summer flood of 2007.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Since then we have built up a rain deficit near 2 feet with 15 of last 19 months being drier than average. This is what Lake Travis looks like now with the lack of rain.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Islands popping up all over the place. The lake is 17 feet below it's March average. The level is at 654.30 feet above sea level.

    6 of the 12 public boat ramps on Lake Travis are closed. In 2008, there was a record low amount of water flowing into the chain of Highland Lakes and record high water use by LCRA's firm water customers.

    Inflows were at 284,462 acre-feet of water and city of Austin water use was around 150,000 acre-feet.

    What will the lake levels look like by this Summer? That is the million dollar question. It all depends on how much rain will get this Spring. It only takes one big flood to fill up the lake. If we get normal rain this Spring, Lake Travis will drop between 635 and 645. The historical low is 614 in 1952.

    Lake Buchanan could be between 980 and 990 by the end of Summer. Historical low is 983 in 1953.

    If the drought continues, Lake Travis could fall to 632 by August and Lake Buchanan could drop to 975 by late Summer according to the LCRA.

    Even though the lakes are low the LCRA stresses that there is plenty of drinking water.

    Bring on the Spring showers to ease the drought and help out the lakes so we can have fun this Summer.

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
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• Four Day Rain Totals

  • From: scottprinsen
  • Description:

    Here's the updated(as of 4:30pm Sat) rainfall totals from our four-day rain event...

    

    

     

    Camp Mabry in Austin has a four-day total of 2.59 inches. It was certainly nice to get the rain, but the bulk of it is about over. We may see a stray shower as the final upper low pressure trough moves overhead tomorrow... but rain totals should be light.

    While the rain was needed, we still need tons more to get us out of the drought. Rainfall deficits from this year and a half-long drought were around two feet below normal. We would need about a dozen more of the rain event we just had to catch up. Even though the cloudy cold weather we have this weekend is a bit more suited for Seattle, it's actually good in keeping evaporation low and allowing the rain to really soak into the ground. Skies should begin clearing on Sunday night, with full sun back on Monday... and highs near 80.

    Scott Prinsen

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
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• Drought Buster?

  • From: zackshields
  • Description:

    Now that is wishful thinking. We need 20 more rain events like last night to get us out of the drought completely. But this is a good start. This has been the most rain we have seen in one day since October 15th, 2008. We were way overdue for a soaker. The ranchers and farmers are probably smiling ear to ear, the creeks and streams are running again. The rain may have salvaged the wildflower season and Lake Travis may go up slightly.

    Record Rainfall at the Austin Bergstrom International...

    1.81" since midnight breaking the old record of 1.62" in 2007.

    Almost a record breaker at the Camp Mabry gauge located along Mopac.

    1.58" since midnight and the record is 1.64" in 1946. The day is still young so it may still be broken by this evening.

    The big rain winners have been in the Hill Country the last two days.

    Here is a sample of rain gauge totals from the LCRA since Wednesday morning...

    Burnet  4.30"

    Marble Falls  4.11"

    Llano  3.18"

    Fredericksburg  2.81"

    Blanco  2.78"

    Florence 3.13"

    Leander  2.78"

    Buda  2.09"

    Bastrop  1.27"

    Giddings  1.10"

    It is about time the rain gauges got a nice workout.

    Much of the state is soggy from the latest rounds of showers and were not done with the rain yet.

    Look out west because we have another Upper low spinning right for us.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    It is centered over Southern California now but will spread more moisture and energy our way by tonight and tomorrow morning. The rest of the Thursday the atmosphere will recharge and gear up for another soaking rain to wrap up the work week.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This low seems like it will take it's time moving east of Texas so the rain may linger into parts of Saturday and the clouds may hang on until Sunday before clearing out on Monday.

    How much more rain? Here are the estimated future rain totals through Saturday.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Another one or two inches are possible with next round of rain. Keep the umbrella handy.

     

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
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