[bchris02]

As the ridge of high pressure moves into Oklahoma and Arkansas from the desert southwest in late summer, it's not uncommon to go from mid-July to late-September without seeing any rainfall. However, we are only in June and it's already been three weeks since we've had signifficant rainfall in the Little Rock area, and the plants are starting to look pretty bad. This is unusual to happen this early and looking at the forecast, it looks to be continued hot and dry. It looks like we could be seeing a repeat of the summer of 2000 if anybody remembers that.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bchris02

As the ridge of high pressure moves into Oklahoma and Arkansas from the desert southwest in late summer, it's not uncommon to go from mid-July to late-September without seeing any rainfall. However, we are only in June and it's already been three weeks since we've had signifficant rainfall in the Little Rock area, and the plants are starting to look pretty bad. This is unusual to happen this early and looking at the forecast, it looks to be continued hot and dry. It looks like we could be seeing a repeat of the summer of 2000 if anybody remembers that.

Not here, 2 weeks ago tomorrow we had huge rain storms. The next day we had some as well, but not nearly as much..Since then, yes, it has been dry. We still are above the normal for this time of year but just a little.

I do see a big difference in temps from last year to this year..I think the first day I can remember and one of the few, in the season above the low 90s last year was very late July or August.

Nita

[73-79 ford fan]

It's the same in Benton county, the grass is turning brown already and it's dangerous to be outside very long in this extreme heat. I remember 1998 being the bad year, upper 90's and low to mid 100's were common and the trees went dormant in august. I know Little Rock had a 83 degree dew point this week which is now the all time record high.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by 73-79 ford fan

It's the same in Benton county, the grass is turning brown already and it's dangerous to be outside very long in this extreme heat. I remember 1998 being the bad year, upper 90's and low to mid 100's were common and the trees went dormant in august. I know Little Rock had a 83 degree dew point this week which is now the all time record high.

Well we live in Benton county and our grass isn't turning brown, other than the Hadragas (or however it is spelled) looking awful by 10am so haven't seen anything yet. It does remind me of the start to the summer like one we had in Texas in the mid 90s. We went from about June 20to like early Sept with not one drop of rain. I do not remember the year for sure.

Nita

[hognoxious]

It is starting to dry out ... however, left work in Bentonville today and sun was shining bright but as I drove into Fayetteville on I-540 I ran into a nice thunderstorm so we got at least some rain today.

Seems like last year it rained regularly thru the first week of July.

[DC at the Ridge]

Had a thunderstorm Tuesday night, so nothing turning brown yet in my neck of the woods. The humidity is really high, this morning (Friday morning) when I walked my dog it was like a sauna with the morning mist.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

Had a thunderstorm Tuesday night, so nothing turning brown yet in my neck of the woods. The humidity is really high, this morning (Friday morning) when I walked my dog it was like a sauna with the morning mist.

Me too, I got back before 7am and was miserable as well as suffering from the old stuffed up or should say runny nose because of all the stuff in the air. Of course if I wait and walk after the morning crud is gone, it is so hot I might colaspe... DC the little berries are everywhere but they are between green and red plus, of course tiny and still small, I don't have any idea what kind they are...

Nita

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Me too, I got back before 7am and was miserable as well as suffering from the old stuffed up or should say runny nose because of all the stuff in the air. Of course if I wait and walk after the morning crud is gone, it is so hot I might colaspe... DC the little berries are everywhere but they are between green and red plus, of course tiny and still small, I don't have any idea what kind they are...

Nita

My blackberries are almost done. I've got about two quarts put up. I have bushes where the berries are still green and small, but what's happening is that the birds are eating them before they ripen. That's my competition for the berries, and since the birds feast all day long, I have to push stuff out of the way to get into the bushes and pick what's left. The birds are spreading the seeds all over the place. I've got blackberry vines springing up along the fenceline all around the yew, I've got blackberry vines taking over the roses, I've got blackberry vines mixing in with the ivy. This fall is going to require major labor to get this yard into shape. Right now, I'm just going into mowing mode to keep the yard from looking totally unkempt.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

My blackberries are almost done. I've got about two quarts put up. I have bushes where the berries are still green and small, but what's happening is that the birds are eating them before they ripen. That's my competition for the berries, and since the birds feast all day long, I have to push stuff out of the way to get into the bushes and pick what's left. The birds are spreading the seeds all over the place. I've got blackberry vines springing up along the fenceline all around the yew, I've got blackberry vines taking over the roses, I've got blackberry vines mixing in with the ivy. This fall is going to require major labor to get this yard into shape. Right now, I'm just going into mowing mode to keep the yard from looking totally unkempt.

I know what you mean about everywhere. Of course last year it never dawned on me there were wild berries here. After you mentioned it I started looking and sure enough; EVERYWHERE is right. Hopefully the birds will leave enough for me to do a few pints. I used to can them in No Ca and make pie in the winter...

Nita

[SwinerBock]

Blackberries are finishing up here in the south too. I actually had 2 gallons picked and made my jelly 2 weeks ago. Decided I had had enough of the blackberry picking, so the birds and deer were welcome to the rest of them. Plums finished up a couple of weeks ago too.

We are moving into that time of year where any rain we get is the afternoon heating kind. I got one shower the other day, but other than that, it's been sun, sun, sun for the last 3 weeks or so. I've got a couple of burn piles that I need to get rid of before it gets so dry the county starts issuing burn bans.