Storm

The meteorological predictions for  8/8/18 included that we might get some storms  that night or 8/9/18. We have not had really measurable amounts of rain since last October. Earlier on 8/8/18, I was doing yard chores and walked into a backyard that was heavy with humidity, and experiencing the classical "calm before the storm." Absolutely no wind moving. That was before sunset.  I have been sitting at the computer looking out a north facing window, and for an hour or more, have been watching the lightning.  About 11:15 PM on 8/8/18, the lightning started. I checked several times and there was no rain.  About 11:45 PM, the thunder was audible. I checked and it looked like we were on the receiving end of a good, drenching rain.

We have to remember that because of the length of time we went without rain, the ground in this part of the world has dried up and, because of it's heavy clay content, packed down. That is to say that a deluge rain will just run off the hard packed soil.  What we really need is "just a gentle rain."  We are receiving a rain that is somewhere between "just a gentle rain" and a deluge so we should receive some real benefit from the rain, if it lasts long enough.