Yesterday I was struck by a paradoxical site. An Autumnal looking stream that has practically dried up. A week ago the river could be seen, and the rocks, and stones. Last night, during a group run what I saw was yellow leaves sitting on still water, with no water flowing.
Water is still pooled in certain spots but it is still so dry, with no rain, no fog, and barely any clouds, that this Autumn feels like Summer. It’s warm enough to wear shorts and t-shirts. Some people still cover up, but you don’t need to. Summer isn’t finished yet.
Rivers, and lakes are drying up, and people are pumping water from lakes. Some hydroelectric plants have stopped operating, while they wait for water to re-appear.
Feeling warm, rather than cold and uncomfortable, should be welcome, but it isn’t when we don’t know when the next rains will be. Glaciers have melted, and rain isn’t forecast with certainty.
To be specific, according to the MeteoSwiss blog it rained 430mm which is fifty six percent of the usual amount of the normal amount of rain. The usual amount is 773mm so there is a deficit of around 340mm. We would need two exceptionally rainy months to make up for the lack of rain this year.
At the time of writing we might get rain tomorrow, and the next day. It will be good for nature to get those potential six millimeters of rain. We will see if, and when, there is a massive downpour and flooding like there have been in recent years.
At this rate the site of leaves in a dry riverbed will lead to potential clogging of certain rivers when the rain does finally arrive. I look forward to a relaxing day of rain, and the sound of it on the roof.
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