hows austin? still drier than hell? looking to move back next year... (tax, best)

[tekka-maki]

interested now in l. travis area. wish the rain would come back before I do. was last in town for FFF last year, and zilker was completely different; no grass to speak of.

[Komeht]

The town is green momentarily. But we're way down in overall rainfall, Lake Travis is still very low at 634 feet or so (about 32 feet belo historic average of 666).

We may be in a long term drought that could last a decade or more.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by tekka-maki

interested now in l. travis area. wish the rain would come back before I do. was last in town for FFF last year, and zilker was completely different; no grass to speak of.

It has been a pretty normal year as far as rain goes, but that means not enough to fill the lakes. We have been in an el nino over the past couple of years = dry. We are in a weak la nina now which means more rain.

[sxrckr]

Definitely more rain this year than last, but not enough to make up for last year.

[mickey65]

Altho this winter is looking sort of iffy for rain. Kind of scary and sad...

[tekka-maki]

thx folks. i hope it indeed is a temporary pattern and atx doesnt permanently become more 'southwest'. love the town, h8 the dry...

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by tekka-maki

thx folks. i hope it indeed is a temporary pattern and atx doesnt permanently become more 'southwest'. love the town, h8 the dry...

Unlikely that Austin is permanently dry. But severe ten year droughts are a part of this part of the world and have happened for hundreds of years. We may be on the cusp of one of these. But eventually will return to normal.

[tekka-maki]

have you read any of the published articles about permanent climate change in s. texas?

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by tekka-maki

have you read any of the published articles about permanent climate change in s. texas?

Studies come and go and change with the wind. Look at sequoia tree rings for best guide as to how climate fluctuates here over last several hundred years. Severe droughts on the order of a decade or more are typical or the area. We haven't had one in modern history, but it could happen at any time. Should be interesting to see how we cope when we tax our resources with something like this.

But in time, the pendulum will swing the other way and Austin will be wet again.

[tekka-maki]

there are sequoias in austin?? shows how out of the loop i am! im in bay area now, where early and 2nd growths (more abundant) can be readily found, especially in the park systems. guess i wasnt looking enough in austin.