It's been raining a lot lately.... (Tampa, Orlando: office, area, classes)

[Qacer]

I think it started about 3 weeks ago. The rains and thunderstorms started showing up in the afternoon hours, just when I was ready to get off from work. We do need the rain because water restrictions are still in effect on lawns, but constant rain has been annoying me lately. Anyone else looking for a temporary break from the rain?

I'm mainly speaking about the Tampa and nearby areas. I have co-workers from Pinellas, and on some rainy days in Hillsborough, they barely get a drop. Anyway, it might be a good time to get a couple rain barrels, collect some water, and save it for when a hurricane comes. The way the weather has been lately I would not be surprise if we get a few.

[Alphaman]

I`m in Orlando and feel the same, it seems as if the rain is comming early around 11 or 12 pm. I wish it would wait for late afternoon don`t mind daily rain but I would like to get a day out without getting rained on so early.

[Mozart271]

Well, this has been the typical summer rain pattern in this area for eons, so you just have to get used to it...

We do need it so badly, I'm happy to see it no matter what.

[Qacer]

Yeah, I remember it used to rain a lot in the afternoon especially during the summer. But as of recent times, I don't remember getting this much rain almost everyday -- and that's probably why we have water restrictions. HOAs and water restrictions don't mix very well. On one side, they want you to maintain your lawn or get written up and the other, you have to keep your water use down or get fined. Heh. There's no win-win situation.

[Floridaobserver]

Originally Posted by Qacer

Anyway, it might be a good time to get a couple rain barrels, collect some water, and save it for when a hurricane comes. The way the weather has been lately I would not be surprise if we get a few.

We made 2 rain barrels, and they filled up in about 15 minutes during a good rain. We'd have to have at least 100 to keep up!! By the way, the rain barrels were easy and a lot of fun to make. We did them at home, but you can go to classes at the extension office. If you have the right tools, they are easy to make at home.

[sange77]

This is my 3rd summer here and each one has been different...the rain stinks but it's better than it being super hot.

[Fletchman]

Florida has been in a terrible drought for a long time. We've been in a nearly constant state of water restrictions, for good reason.

While 1997-1998 was very wet with El Nino, the years that followed were bone dry.

From late 1998 to early 2002, it was extremely dry with many brush fires. We definitely did not get the normal Summer rain that we usually get.

From the middle part of 2002 through 2004 it was wet again, but in 2005 we seemed to dry up again.

[Floridaobserver]

This season seems very similar to the first summer we arrived in 1996, except it rained closer to 4 p.m. Thank goodness it's raining again!
By the way - does everyone know Tampa Bay is the lightening capital of the Western Hemisphere? Only a spot in Africa gets more.