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Published: November 6th 2006
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A Texas sunset
Not every evening that spectacular, but ... Well, not much is going on here in Central Texas. Most of the time I'm home and looking for a job which takes some time every day and of course I want to save my money. I also study a lot to keep up-to-date with my knowledge and even to learn some new things. There is so much in IT you don't know yet but employers want you to master. So live isn't boring after all but unfortunately for you -- the peeping Tom -- there are no fancy stories to tell.
Nevertheless, I think I owe you an update on the weather in Central Texas for the past three months. I guess you wouldn't be surprised when I tell you that it is still nice and warm here at the end of October. Let's say it depends but start with August.
August 2006
The month of August was full of sunshine and even hotter than July and very dry. Almost every day the temperatures reached or topped the 100° Fahrenheit and only at the end a couple days with some rain and thunderstorms caused the mercury to shrink a little bit into the lower 90s. Going to the
A night at the ballpark
Round Rock Express is playing (and losing to) the Oklahoma RedHawks 4-3 on Aug 13, 2006. ballpark and attending a Minor League Baseball game with the
Round Rock Express was just wonderful. It has been the second time and I think I might get interested in that thing a bit more next season here in Round Rock. They are not playing in the big league of course but I believe that is not the main goal in going to the ballpark. You sit and watch the game, you chat with your friends or just with the people around you, eat some food (and there are many options) and of course being outdoors and enjoy a lovely evening.
September 2006
September started as August ended with soaring temperatures but after one week a cold front brought some rain and the heat was gone. After that front it was still hot though, but with temperatures in the lower 90s it is suddenly a noticeable change. We also receive some rain now once every week which must have been a relieve for the flora. The grass in the fields and on the lawns started to grow rapidly. Before in some regions people were told to be cautious with water usage. The level in the aquifers was probably sufficient and water
was still available but nobody knows for sure when the next rain will bring the required water. Indians may do their rain dance but I don't believe that this would really work.
Water goes
When rain is falling here it normally does it in relative short time but in vast masses. Sometimes however it may fall for a longer time and then it will be a problem and that's when flooded areas are shown in the news. To prevent such behavior and specially flush floods many places here have catch basins. I see them everywhere here specially around parking lots and I assume that this is by law that they have to withhold the water for a certain amount and time.
Water comes
The water towers on the other hand which can be seen everywhere as well are another interesting thing about water. One of the big advantages of a water tower is that it lets a municipality size its pumps for average rather than peak demand. If the pumps fail (for example, during a power failure), the water tower holds enough water to keep things flowing for about a day. Typically, a water tower's tank is sized
Storm sewer
Entry to sewerage on a walkway in Austin. Have you noticed: that lid is "Made in India"! to hold about a day's worth of water for the community served by the tower.
October 2006
In October the weather now is influenced a lot by cold pressure systems in the north pushing towards the south all the way from Canada and into Texas. Specially in the night and morning it can be freaking cold. At least for me but not the news people on TV who get really excited every time the meteorologist predicts this cold forecast. However the coldest day was only 67°F (19°C) and a night as cold as 44°F (6°C) on October 23rd. To my surprise nature still doesn't look like beginning of fall. It's more like spring and every where all trees and plants are in full color since they have enough water. And the forecast into November is not bad with temperatures again in the mid to high 80s. Isn't that nice? I just love it!
A sunrise, yawn!
Oh, and since the days get shorter I was even able to catch a sunrise. To my honest surprise it was not much different than the sunset except that I was not really in the mood for that event. And it was
Catchbasin
Rain is caught and withhold in large basins most likely from parking lots and streets when poured into the storm sewers. a little chilly as well. Never mind, I leave you with some more sunsets in contrast.
See you next time!
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