Dusty And Crusty May Turn Into Mowing Mayhem

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago at Savage Gulf State Park. It was my first time up there and I'm wondering why I haven't wandered up there before. Great hiking, and I think most folks could handle the terrain in the park. Some ups and downs but nothing too strenuous where I was. A few more pictures in the days to come including a friendly face I found along the way.
Wow! How about those scorching highs yesterday?! 88 officially in Chattanooga, 92 in Rome, GA, and 90 in Fort Payne. Several of our Channel 3 Skywatchers were in the low 90s as well. Part of the reason we're so hot is the dry ground and dry air. Today will end up as the 10th dry day in a row. That wouldn't be remarkable in October, but in April that says a lot.
Rainfall deficits as of today:

• Since March 1st: -4.25"
• Since Jan. 1st: -7.26"

Last year we started out drier than normal as well, but year to date we are 2.58" drier than last year.

Having said all this keep in mind we have the rest of April and into May to turn things around.

But if things stay dry for the next 6 weeks or so this summer could get ugly hot. Last year's dry Spring was offset by tropical systems that provided us with some timely rainfall during the Summer months. We stayed relatively cool compared to Memphis which topped out at 100 three times last summer, the earliest of which happened out there on June 30th. May and June alone in Memphis were about 7.00" below normal.

The good news is starting tomorrow things are looking more unsettled here for at least the next five days. A few showers could pop up or move in as early as daybreak, but more scattered showers and storms will develop tomorrow afternoon and evening. This won't break the bank as rainfall amounts will average between 1/4" and 1/2". An isolated storm or two could pop Thursday. With a better soaking heading our way Friday evening through early Saturday. That round could produce average amounts closer to 1". And we may see another round fly through here Sunday night into early Monday.

I have weeds and wild onions running rampant in the yard right now. Hopefully I'll get the mower fired up later today and get things knocked back to a tolerable level. Because if the models are right this morning, our crusty and dusty conditions now could turn wetter. Which will mean mowing mayhem trying to keep the lawn in order inbetween rounds of rain.