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Redefine normal rainfall

Saturday, July 4, 2009

(Updated 3:00 am)

After reading the June 23 article regarding rainfall, I wonder if it’s time to redefine the “normal” amount of precipitation.

We’ve had summer droughts for several years, and we’re always told what our rainfall is compared to the “normal” amount. Should the water authorities use a different term, such as “desired”?

J.C. Winkler
Asheboro

What do you think?

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rbennet

July 4, 2009 - 11:11 am EDT

I think this is a good idea. Let's apply it and the "several years" standard to more than just rainfall, though

Graduation rates are low and probably need redefining. Only about 50% of the U.S. population can read well enough to understand the instructions on an aspirin bottle. Obviously our normal reading standards need redefining. Over half of our adult population can't figure out what a 10% tip should be without a calculator. Our normal math standards should probably be redefined.

The feds will love it. They can talk about their "desired" budget and not our trillions of dollars of debt...

It's what plants crave.

tledford

July 6, 2009 - 7:31 pm EDT

Yeah, and based on what I read in the comments on the N&R website, we should probably lower the "average" IQ from 100 to 70. :-)

Seriously, rbennet, I've gotta agree with you on this one.

inflator1

July 4, 2009 - 2:20 pm EDT

Interesting idea. But, there are standards as to what is defined as a "normal" amount of rainfall. My guess is they are using how much rainfall we get on average per year for our particular climate, which is averaged out over a 30 year period. Sometime in the future we will need to update it to reflect the changing climate, and this drought could be part of our changing climate. But we do not have enough years of data yet to confirm that, and to establish, hard and fast, what the new climate norms are.

The point is the normal amount of rainfall has real scientific meaning, and it is not established by some government person as to what they want every year. It is the rainfall that is needed to maintain the biodiversity our area currently has, and the life our climate supports