It's Raining, it's Pouring...

We have been experiencing the most extraordinary weather since the beginning of 2016. Blazingly hot, interspersed with unexpected blasts of reasonably substantial rain. In the Wheatbelt during summer, we consider ourselves lucky if we have the odd thunderstorm to wet the parched ground.

The "average" rainfall to the end of April is about sixty-five millilitres for Beverley. This time last year, we were stoked to be just a little below that figure. So far, we have had one hundred and eighty millilitres for this year. That is only twenty millilitres under the entire rainfall for 2010, the driest year on record.

The Avon River, usually pretty dry until May, has been flowing since January. We have suffered from repeated invasions of B52 sized mosquitoes as a result. Sitting outside has been somewhat hazardous for our health, as the painful stinging of the nasty little buzzing creatures has been tiresome. We have had to resort to using lashings of insect repellent in order to enjoy the beautiful evenings.

Are the farmers overjoyed with all this rain? I should bloody well hope so...as the ground moisture will be marvellous for seeding. Knowing the temperament of some farmers, they will still be dissatisfied. Summer rain causes weed growth and autumn rain interferes with their burning regime. There is absolutely no such thing as an entirely happy farmer...

Today, the sky looks a little bit lighter. Or maybe I've just become accustomed to the gloomy skies.The forecast is suggesting a return to fine weather by Thursday. And we all believe the weatherman, don't we?!

Unexpectedly..

If in doubt...

enjoy...

and keep calm!

Weather is looking a tad more like normal April weather!