Rains Bring Some Relief

People seemed happy to dodge raindrops while running into Lakeshore Mall on Sunday morning.

"I think it's great," said Robert Kekeis while closing his umbrella.

But Sunday's soaking won't make a dent in the drought conditions experienced by the state for the last four to five months, said Anthony Reynes, National Weather Service meteorologist.

"Unfortunately, this event won't bring enough rain to make a significant impact on the drought, but it's certainly a welcome break," Reynes said.

"We need several events like this one. People still should conserve water."

The countywide watering restrictions aren't expected to change even after a meeting planned for Tuesday, said Robyn Felix, media relations manager and spokeswoman for Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Those restrictions have been in place since January 2007. Felix said she expects watering restrictions to be changed only for the Tampa Bay area. Right now, Highlands County follows the district's restrictions, Felix said.

According to the district Web site, if your address (house number) ends in:

•0 or 1, water only on Monday;

•2 or 3, water only on Tuesday;

•4 or 5, water only on Wednesday;

•6 or 7, water only on Thursday; or

•8 or 9*, water only on Friday.

*And locations without a discernible address.

To find out more about the restrictions, go to www.watermatters.org and click on "water restrictions."

Reynes said that the rain on Sunday occurred because a cold front moved into central Florida. Dry air behind the cold front should cause the rain to clear "rather quickly," Reynes said.

Another weather system expected in the area on Tuesday night might stay until Wednesday but it probably won't be as strong as the system that brought Sunday's rain, he said. The summer rainy season is expected to be as wet as last summer which was "drier than normal," Reynes said.

"Which then creates a problem (because) it enhances fire weather problems - the drier the soil, the more wildfires we have," Reynes said.

"As least this large system that we're having right now should give us a break from wildfires until Monday," he quipped.