topic Re: Southwestern Drought in Community Chat

Southwestern Drought

Kachina624 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 20:59:57 GMT

Much of the Southwest is under the classification of "Exceptional Drought" which is very worrisome as fire season approaches. We had some snow in Albuquerque but not enough to make a significant difference. I don't even remember the last time it rained as our annual monsoon season last summer was non-existant.

Here is a photo of the same scenes taken a year apart by a meteorologist in Arizona. It is somewhere near Phoenix. If you dance, help us out and do the one for rain.

Re: Southwestern Drought

On It — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:06:13 GMT

In addition to the drought the winds are unrelenting. Any moisture that does fall is quickly evaporated by the dry winds. That extreme drought area is getting larger and larger.

Re: Southwestern Drought

kaydee50 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:11:27 GMT

We're hoping to buy a vacation home in Henderson, NV. Two things worry me about the Southwest: at some point turning on a faucet and nothing coming out and the cost of water which has gone up significantly in the past few years.

Re: Southwestern Drought

On It — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:24:08 GMT

I remember flying into Las Vegas in the mid 70's for the first time. The lake was full. The last time I was there I was stunned how far it had dropped.

Water catchment seems to be a good solution but requires some expertise to provide a home's only source of water. I know the filtering system is quite sophisticated. A home was featured on tv that only required one inch of rainfall per year to have ample water. There were multiple tanks buried on the property.

Re: Southwestern Drought

Desert Lily — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:21:01 GMT

We had almost double the normal amount of rain in Spring 2020 compared to our "normal" where I live in the west. It's rained a few times here this spring, but we're still somewhat behind. Hopefully, we'll all get the precipitation we need - and without flooding.

Re: Southwestern Drought

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:23:15 GMT

@Kachina624 , what an astonishing difference. The thought of fires in this climate is very scary. My brother in Kamloops, British Columbia gets a small taste of this. It is very desert like there...I was surprised how dry it is.

A sharp contrast to our four days of rain this Easter weekend. I wish I could send you some. Weather extremes seem to be the norm now, S

Re: Southwestern Drought

pdlinda — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:31:48 GMT

@Kachina624 That's basically the picture I have from my living room/dining area windows. The difference is significant and very noticeable. No monsoon this year was also a first in my 30 years in Phx.

Re: Southwestern Drought

pdlinda — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:34:09 GMT

@kaydee50 The water bills in Phoenix are on the rise to the point where I started my own "rainy day fund" (literal and figurative) to make sure I have the financial resources to meet any increases that may arise. "Better safe than sorry!!"

Re: Southwestern Drought

SilleeMee — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:42:21 GMT

This map says a lot:

Re: Southwestern Drought

Kachina624 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:54:22 GMT

@On It wrote:
I remember flying into Las Vegas in the mid 70's for the first time. The lake was full. The last time I was there I was stunned how far it had dropped.

Water catchment seems to be a good solution but requires some expertise to provide a home's only source of water. I know the filtering system is quite sophisticated. A home was featured on tv that only required one inch of rainfall per year to have ample water. There were multiple tanks buried on the property.

@On It I'd be very thirsty if I depended on water catchment for my supply. Actually my community pumps water from an aquafer but it's very expensive. Albuquerque gets water from the Rio Grande after buying it and storing it in Colorado. When the Rio gets low, they have some of what they own released and it flows down to the city where they retrieve it.

Re: Southwestern Drought

SilleeMee — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:57:00 GMT

The drought situation is bad but it's not as bad as it was in Dec 2020....the worst in 7 years.

Re: Southwestern Drought

rockygems123 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:57:22 GMT

@Kachina624

Oh no! Had no idea the SW didn't get the usual monsoon moisture 2020. Ours skips some years, we did get plenty of snow in March here in Colorado to make up any deficit.

Truly, rain dance, seeding clouds, prayer, hopefully this year will turn around.

Re: Southwestern Drought

Anonymous032819 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 22:06:11 GMT

I hear you. I live in California, and we're facing another drought too. I'm worried about the coming wildfires. Last year was bad, and I fear how bad they are going to be this year.

Re: Southwestern Drought

DiAnne — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 22:34:55 GMT

That is really an eye opener. I was born in Southern CA and it is amazing to me how "brown" it is down there now. I live in the PNW now so maybe it is just the comparison.

Re: Southwestern Drought

Kachina624 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 23:37:51 GMT

Fire broke out in the bosque (woods on either side of the Rio Grande) South of Albuquerque today and is being fought by firefighters.

Re: Southwestern Drought

millieshops — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:09:54 GMT

@SilleeMee see that small orange dot on the east coast of southern Florida. I live just north of it and the predicted rains miss us time after time. Where there is not watering going on, it’s just dry and sad

Re: Southwestern Drought

patbz — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:17:57 GMT

N.E. AZ at 6500 ft. No monsoon last Summer was a bummer; we had to water front and back yard daily ( usually not necessary from 7/15- 9/15). Didn't notice a big difference in Saguaros on way down to Phoenix but last 5 years in Santa Maria CA have been an eye opener ( watering restrictions, replacing lawns with succulents, BIL had to sell all his cattle on his ranch due to little grass for them to graze ). Hope we can get over this, maybe some new ideas are in order. In the mountains we are very worried about Fire Season.

Re: Southwestern Drought

SilleeMee — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:58:34 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@SilleeMee see that small orange dot on the east coast of southern Florida. I live just north of it and the predicted rains miss us time after time. Where there is not watering going on, it’s just dry and sad

@millieshops

Yes, I see where that is. It's strange how some spots get so dry and have less rain. Is that area in a valley or next to some hills maybe? That can cause no rain in some places.

Re: Southwestern Drought

Desertdi — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 03:01:36 GMT

I just recently bought the Lug duffle that was on clearance......so I could pack up quickly....and get out of here if there is an "evacuation".

Re: Southwestern Drought

pdlinda — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 03:41:11 GMT

@Desertdi I also bought that Lug duffle last year and thought I'd use it to travel to see my kids in L.A. Of course with the COVID situation it's sitting unused.

Never thought of it for the purpose you mentioned but thanks for the idea!!