Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

According to local weather sources, Southwestern Michigan is in an official drought. I checked Google® to see what the actual definition of drought is and learned that one way to describe it is “A time when rainfall and runoff are much less than average.”

That certainly characterizes our area when local prognosticators have said we’re seven inches or more below normal rainfall.

Further study of the term provided additional information, some of which I’m passing along here.

First, drought is normal, although it doesn’t happen everywhere or every year. It is temporary and not to be confused with aridity, which is a permanent feature of low rainfall regions. High temperatures and winds can aggravate the situation. Drought is insidious in that the resulting water shortage affects humans, animals, crops, and other plants. In turn, larger socio-economic systems and environmental systems are at risk.

There are two main kinds of drought — conceptual and operational – and Google® offered lengthy articles on both types. I read them, but have decided not to try to water them down here (Pun intended.) Instead, if you’re interested I refer you to Google®, while I fix myself a cool drink of something other than water.