Farmers watching skies, forecasts for showers
Last Modified: Monday, April 2, 2007 at 11:00 p.m.
Hollis Isbell is keeping a close watch on weather reports hoping forecasters will report heavy rain is on its way to the Shoals.
1. 1910 1.26 inches
2. 1967 1.35 inches
3. 1966 1.46 inches
4. 2007 1.49 inches
5. 1918 1.52 inches
- Severe drought No. 5 story of 2007
- Few complaining about needed rain
- Hurricane Humberto may have positive effect on the Shoals drought
- Aquatic weeds causing problems
- Optimism turns to stress for farmers
- Shoals farmers welcome muddy pastures
- Open for business
- Ebb and flow
- Some officials hoping for tropical storm to ease dry conditions
- Some tips to conserve water supply
- Restrictions on fireworks eased
- Water shortages causing tensions
- Cattle call
- NEWS BRIEFS
- Drought bout
- Alabama senators seek aid for farmers
- Dry times
- Governor declares drought emergencies for 19 counties
- Drought conditions spur tour of rain-starved valley
- Farmers seek divine intervention
- Farmers set prayer vigil in hopes of rain
- Governor issues drought warning
"I've been farming 50 years, and I don't think I've ever seen it this dry at this time of year," Isbell said Monday. "We keep watching the skies, hoping one of these fronts coming through will finally bring us some heavy rain."
The National Weather Service reported Monday that portions of the Shoals east of the Natchez Trace Parkway are in a severe drought. The region had previously been in a moderate drought. The area west of the parkway remains in a moderate drought.
On Monday, the Alabama Forestry Commission scaled back a fire alert that had been in place for much of the state, leaving only Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence and Limestone counties in the alert area. During the alert, the state forester has to approve any permits for outdoor fires.
"It's still too dry to burn outdoors," said John Everitt, the forestry commission's manager for Colbert. "Most people don't realize how dry we are. It's so dry when we have a woods fire, trees that are starting to green-up will burn like candlesticks."
It is the second driest first three months of a year on record for the Shoals. Only 1910 was drier, said Chris Darden, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Huntsville.
In Huntsville, which is in an extreme drought, it's the driest start of a year ever recorded, Darden said.
Only 1.49 inches of rain were recorded at the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals during March. Normal rainfall for the month is 6.21 inches.
Rainfall for the year is 9.19 inches below normal.
Isbell said it's the first time he has had to irrigate his cornfields in March. Not all of his fields have access to irrigation, and he is worried drought will soon take a toll on the nonirrigated corn.
"If we don't get some April showers, I'm afraid a lot of our farmers are going to be hurting," said Randall Armstrong, Lauderdale County coordinator of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
"We had a little rain in places last week that was enough to get corn to germinate. But we're going to need some more rain pretty soon to keep it growing," Armstrong said.
Rain is possible tonight and Wednesday in the Shoals. While any rain would help farmers, the rainfall is predicted to be far short of being enough to end their worries.
"We're not sure what we're going to do when cotton planting time comes if it's still this dry," Isbell said.
Darden said a line of showers and possible thunderstorms expected to pass through the Tennessee Valley tonight will give the region its best chance of rain in several weeks. Only about ½-inch of rain is expected.
"We need two or three days of good, steady rain to break the drought, and unfortunately, there is not any relief like that in sight," he said.
Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.
Next Article in
Events Calendar More Events Submit Event
- NW-SCC men's basketball coach fired
- At home with the Sabans
- Dealerships feel trickle-down effect
- Brooks will try to flip the script against rival Deshler
- Parole denied for man who killed wife
- Law & Order
- Former council member, 49, dies
- Scott, Milwee among Harlon Hill finalists
- El Rey may lose liquor license
- Man faces child porn charges
- Father indicted for child abuse -4 min ago
- Officials want laws regarding passengers in pickup beds -4 min ago
- Forbidden love -4 min ago
- Patriots coach fired 5 games in -4 min ago
- Police hunt for Sheffield man -4 min ago
- Right place, right time -4 min ago
- Tuberville wants Iron Bowl moved up a week -4 min ago
- Eyes on the prize -4 min ago
- Mayberry propels Patriots -4 min ago
- Getting rid of viruses on computer -4 min ago

Add a Comment
Post a comment | View all comments on this topic.