Slow Start to Rainy Season in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

Rainy Season in Lake Chapala

The rainy season (June 15-Oct. 15) is off to a slow start this year. Normally, when the rains start after about 6 weeks of the rainbirds heralding it’s onset it rains every night. Not just rain but magnificent and dramatic storms that are enjoyed by all.

Thus year the rain is about 62% below normal and unexpected troubles for residents and farmers are possible.

Meteorologists are attributing the lagging rains to El Nino which is causing above average temperatures throughout Jalisco and the surge of smog in Guadalajara.

Lake Chapala levels at this time of year are usually on a steady rise but have flat-lined for a full week. Lake Chapala has only gained 14 centimeters since the start of the rainy season as compared to a 62 centimeter increase during June and July of last year.

There is good news, however. The National Water Commission (Conagua) data shows Lake Chapala holding at a 68.2% of its maximum capacity which is six points above the status registered 12 months ago.

Earlier this year Conagua predicted that Lake Chapala would likely reach full capacity during this year’s rainy season. Hopefully, this prediction can still be realized.

We still have a full two and a half months left in this year’s rainy season so it is up to each and every one of us to pray to the rain God – Tlaloc to ask for a robust rainfall during the balance of the 2009 rainy season.

Rainfall for Lake Chapala has always been a cycical affair so there is no reason to think that this year is going to totally upset the balance of things overall. Water rationing has never been a problem for residents in the Lake Chapala area so, hopefully, this will not change.

We forget how lucky we are here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala to have so many natural resources and plentiful water is one of our greatest gifts.