Paul Rosser 
We got rain in 14 of the 31 days in July 2023. The July total was 41.0mm, pushing our YTD to 368.5mm. I had to water my new plantings a couple of days ago as they started to droop through lack of water. I gave them the obligatory 10 litres on planting but not enough it seems. Check any new plants you may have. They may like a drink too.
How do we compare to the past years:
Year Monthly Year to date
2023 41.0mm 368.5mm (because of June falls)
2022 31.5mm 251.5mm
2021 102.0mm 302.5mm
2020 26.5mm 293.0mm
2019 32.0mm 224.5mm
2018 42.5mm 166.5mm
2017 103.5mm 299.5mm
2016 131.0mm 366.5mm
2015 89.5mm 325.0mm
2014 66.0mm 295.0mm
2013 99.0mm 326.0mm
2012 62.0mm 380.0mm
As you can see, July started to show the decline that has been forecast as Ei Nina comes into being. Australia has not yet locked in El Nina as the air & water temperatures don’t coincide as yet. Other bodies reckon it’s close enough & have made the call. It will mean dry, dry, dry weather & hot daytime & nighttime temperatures. Put some money away for your water bill.
Last month I mentioned the record month in terms of earth temperatures, & now the scientists are concerned that the normal ice freezing around Antartica is not occurring & could be well short of what we’d expect. This & earth temperatures are worrying, with many scientists feeling we may be nearing a point of no return. Others are more optimistic but are adamant that we have to act now not by 2050. We need to talk to our politicians to get action in the next budget period.
Quite a few have asked about Spring. There is evidence that we might enter spring two to three weeks earlier than the usual 1st September. Watch the birds in three ways, firstly are the spring birds here yet & secondly are birds beginning the nesting process & finally when will I get swooped by the first Maggie of the season while riding my bike.
Some friends came up to my Bushcare site at the top of Willunga Hill, a fortnight ago. It was good to share with them, the work we’d done over the last 20 years. Saw plenty of orchids & some wild flowers starting to appear. If anyone else is interested send me a text or email to come up & hear our story.
In summary:
* Dryer than usual until Xmas
* Hotter than usual during the day & night – could be a very hot summer but not locked in yet,
*Probable El Nina, Positive Indian Ocean Dipole & a record high ocean temperatures globally mean a very dry period ahead.
That’s it for now. Catch you next month.
Paul
About Author
