WESTSIDE -- As July draws to a close, the month will likely be remembered in the area as one of the hottest and driest in recent years, with numerous heat advisories and almost no rain.
Area lawns have dried up, and plants and gardens have withered away unless regularly watered. And worse yet for area farmers, pastures and hay fields have dried up too, making hay scarce to feed livestock now and making it likely there will be an ongoing shortage of hay over the winter months, as well.
And everyone is likely to feel the pain of the weeks of hot dry weather once again when they receive their electric bills for energy used to air condition their homes and offices during July.
The weather forecast this week at least includes the possibility of scattered rain showers and cooler temperatures. The long-range forecast, however, is for drought conditions to persist into the fall.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL While many flowers are wilting in the intense heat and dry weather, sunflowers seem to thrive as long as they have adequate water. These Russian sunflowers were in bloom on Sunday in Gentry.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL While many flowers are wilting in the intense heat and dry weather, sunflowers seem to thrive as long as they have adequate water. This Russian sunflower was beginning to bloom on Sunday in Gentry.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL While many flowers are wilting in the intense heat and dry weather, sunflowers seem to thrive as long as they have adequate water. These Russian sunflowers were in bloom on Sunday in Gentry.