what is with all this rain? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lietuviai · #31 02-27-2005, 10:16 PM

It's because of all the Californians that have moved up here. They took their weather up here with them.

Now if they would only go back, I want my RAIN!

rickg · #32 02-28-2005, 03:09 PM

Well, ya got half your wish today. It's back to cold and rainy.
But I hear the californians are still here

Zeus · #33 02-28-2005, 03:32 PM

It was -28C here last night. Snow for the next three days. I can't remember what a blue sky looks like and I think I used to be able to go outside for longer than 15 minutes without my toes and fingers going numb, but I can't remember as I have a case of cabin fever from being cooped up for the past three months for what is becoming a looooong Canadian winter with no relief in sight.

Rain? I'll take it!

rickg · #34 03-10-2005, 04:46 PM

They just officailly anounced today that we're having a drought in washington.

It's Official: We're Having A Drought

March 10, 2005

By KOMO Staff & News Services

YAKIMA - Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, responding to predictions of the worst drought since 1977, on Thursday declared a statewide drought emergency.

Gregoire directed her Emergency Drought Committee to gear up an emergency command center, track and coordinate responses by state agencies and make sure state resources reach where they are needed.

She ordered the National Guard to prepare for combatting wildfires this summer and requested the Legislature to boost drought-related appropriations by an additional $8.2 million.

"While water shortages won't affect all areas of the state in precisely the same way, it seems very likely that all areas of our state will experience at least some level of drought this year," Gregoire said in remarks prepared for a late morning news conference in Yakima.

"We need to start taking action now, and all of us need to be part of the solution."

As the Pacific Northwest girds for the worst drought in 28 years, precipitation is at or near record lows across the state, and mountain snow pack averages are running 26 percent of normal. Many rivers are at or near record lows for this time of year.

The water shortage hurts farmers, hydroelectric power production, fish production, irrigation, and other sectors of the region's agribusiness economy - and has people worried about an unusually bad fire season.

The drought is plaguing Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

Meteorologists blame a weak El Nino, which brought unusually mild weather to the region in January, February and, now, March. Water managers say the situation hasn't been this bad since 1977.

Gregoire's emergency declaration authorizes the state Department of Ecology to issue emergency water permits and temporary transfers of water rights, and releases funding from the state's Drought Emergency Account.

Ecology Director Jay Manning said his agency will focus on helping farmers, communities and streams get the water they need.

"Unfortunately, I cannot promise that everyone will get all the water they want," Manning said. "In some cases, we will be able to provide only enough water for people to get by. We will manage available water supplies the best we can, but we can't replace what nature doesn't give us."

The state departments of agriculture, health, and fish and wildlife will work with his agency to identify problems. Manning said the state Conservation Commission will work with local conservation districts and individual farmers on best practices for conservation and irrigation.

The Employment Security Department will focus on getting jobless benefits to those who are thrown out of work, and the state Department of Natural Resources will work with the guard to coordinate forest firefighting.

Using lessons learned in the 2001 drought, many farmers, hatcheries and communities aren't caught flat-footed, Manning said in a statement the governor's office released. Examples: Some areas are using treated waste water for landscape irrigation, replenishing wetlands and washing equipment. Farmers have replaced open ditches with pipes, and irrigators are getting more efficient, he said.

"There are a lot of ways people can reduce their water use to protect our streams and to keep the farms and businesses that power our state's economic engine running," Gregoire said. "We can manage this challenge if we all contribute to the solution."

The governor noted that Yakima Valley irrigators are feeling the greatest pinch right now, but that water users all around the state are dusting off their drought plans.

"Some communities have invested in systems to reuse and conserve water, and they'll survive this drought better than communities that haven't done as much," she said.

"Throughout this spring and summer, citizens need to pay close attention to what their local water providers are saying about water supplies in their area, and follow the instructions they are given.

"For most areas, every drop of water we save now is water that will be available later when we may really need it."

Veloce300DT · #35 03-11-2005, 03:17 AM

Seems like NorCal is out of the grey for now... thhe temps picked up and thhe skies have cleared.... we're enjoying temperatures in the mid to high 70's and lows in the 50's with a little patchy fog here and there at nite.

The bad: Pollen and dust is picking up in the air, and my MB's dont like it one bit.....

stayalert · #36 03-11-2005, 08:12 AM

I'll take any weather....It's the road salt that makes me sad....VERY sad...

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