19 SEPTEMBER. FLORIDA: CLIMATE I am a
biologist doing long term monitoring of coastal waterbirds in southwest
Florida. I have access to water level and rainfall data for Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary (interior fresh water wetlands) for 35 years. In comparing 1997
water levels (these levels parallel rainfall) to 1982 I get the best match
of graph curves of any of the 35 years. Early (Feb.) and strong dry-down,
then levels going up strongly (June) and peaking 5 months early. This is
a very unusual pattern. It will be interesting to see what the rest of
the year brings. I haven't looked at the bird data to see if there is any
kind of correlation yet.--Ted Below <roost@water.net>
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El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO 97-98)