Heavy rains saturate Middlesex
by Tom Chillemi
If it seems like it’s rained buckets lately, that’s not your imagination.
As of December 9, rainfall in Saluda is 13.4 inches above average for the year, said Middlesex Cooperative Extension Agent David Moore.
Average annual rainfall at the Warsaw Extension Office is about 42 inches, Moore said.
With another 2.3 inches this week, rain in 2009 totals 55.4 inches, with nearly four weeks left.
Another unusual factor—the rain that boosted the total amount occurred after May 31, 2009 when the area yearly rainfall total was .5 inch below normal, according to Moore’s figures.
Since June 1, the Saluda area has been deluged with 34.8 inches of rain.
November’s nor’easter flooded the area with 6.25 inches for a monthly total of 8.95 inches, Moore said. “We’re pretty saturated.”
By comparison, November 2008 had 3.65 inches, while November 2007 recorded 1.3 inches.
The heavy autumn rains came when plants, including trees, were turning dormant, he noted. “If the rain had come in spring or summer, the trees, grass and crops would soak it up, or it would evaporate.”
This past summer there were no long stretches of hot dry weather, said Moore. “We had a good corn crop and a very good bean crop. We just have to get it (the beans) out of the field. After they mature, you’re losing a little quality with every rain.”
Most of the area is “blessed” with fields with sandy soils that drain well, allowing combines to work on firm ground to harvest the crop, Moore added.
Total rainfall in 2008 was 44.5 inches; and just 35.2 inches in 2007 —a 7-inch deficit.
