Portugal Weather Story

 The sun dipped below the horizon, casting warm hues of orange and pink across the sky as Miguel sat on his terrace in Lisbon. With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, he let out a contented sigh. "Ah, another perfect day in Portugal," he mused.

Portugal, with its captivating landscapes and rich history, is a country of remarkable climatic diversity. From the sun-drenched beaches of the Algarve to the misty, verdant mountains of the north, the country's weather is as varied as its geography. Miguel had traveled across Portugal countless times, experiencing firsthand the nuances of its climate.

In the south, the Algarve basked in near-constant sunshine. Its Mediterranean climate meant hot, dry summers and mild winters. Tourists flocked to its golden beaches, lured by the promise of clear blue skies and balmy ocean breezes. Miguel recalled his summer trips there, dipping into the cool Atlantic waters after a long day under the blazing sun. Temperatures could soar beyond 30°C (86°F) in July and August, yet the refreshing sea breeze made it pleasant. Winter, though milder, still offered daytime temperatures of around 16°C (61°F), drawing in retirees and winter sun seekers.

Further up the coast, Lisbon enjoyed a similar Mediterranean climate, though with a bit more variation. The city’s summers were warm, with temperatures hovering around 28°C (82°F), though the famous Atlantic winds often brought a cooling effect. "It’s that breeze that makes our summers so bearable," Miguel would often say.

The winter months in Lisbon were mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 8°C (46°F) at night. Rain was more frequent in winter, but storms were short-lived. Miguel loved the city in the autumn, when the temperatures were still comfortable, and the streets took on a golden hue as the leaves fell from the trees lining Avenida da Liberdade. The locals knew that spring and autumn were the best times to explore the city without the scorching summer heat or the occasional winter downpours.

Venturing north, Miguel found a completely different climate awaiting him. Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, had a temperate maritime climate. The summers were cooler than in Lisbon, with highs around 25°C (77°F), but the winters were noticeably wetter. "If you visit Porto in winter, don’t forget your umbrella," Miguel always advised his friends. The Atlantic Ocean played a significant role in Porto’s climate, ensuring that it never got too cold but also bringing frequent rain showers from November to March.

Beyond Porto, the Minho region, Portugal’s green heart, was even more dramatic. Miguel remembered hiking through the Peneda-Gerês National Park, surrounded by lush, mist-covered hills. This northernmost part of Portugal had the highest rainfall in the country, creating an almost mystical landscape of dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and deep valleys. Unlike the south, where the land turned dry and golden in summer, the Minho region remained green year-round.

In contrast, the inland regions of Portugal, such as Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes, experienced a more continental climate. Summers were scorching, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F) in the Alentejo plains. Miguel had once visited Évora in the peak of summer and could barely step outside until evening, when the heat finally relented. Winters in these regions, though, could be surprisingly cold, with frost and even occasional snow in higher elevations.

And then, there were the islands—Portugal’s Atlantic gems, Madeira and the Azores. Miguel had fond memories of visiting Madeira, often called the "island of eternal spring." With its subtropical climate, temperatures remained mild throughout the year, rarely dropping below 16°C (61°F) in winter or exceeding 26°C (79°F) in summer. Lush and fertile, Madeira owed its pleasant weather to the Gulf Stream and the trade winds, making it a paradise for nature lovers.

The Azores, lying further west in the Atlantic, had an even more unique climate. "You can experience four seasons in a single day," Miguel had once joked after being caught in sudden rain while hiking on São Miguel Island. The archipelago had a mild maritime climate with frequent rain showers, thanks to its location in the path of Atlantic weather systems. Despite this, the islands rarely experienced extreme temperatures, making them a haven for those seeking a cooler escape from Portugal’s mainland heat.

As Miguel finished his coffee, he smiled, thinking about the incredible weather variations across his homeland. Portugal was a country where one could find sunshine and warmth on the coast, fresh mountain air in the north, and even snowfall in the highlands. The diversity of climates made it special, ensuring that no matter the season, there was always a perfect destination to explore.

With that thought, Miguel stood up, stretched, and stepped inside. Tomorrow promised another beautiful day in Portugal, and he was ready to embrace whatever weather it would bring.

The Keeper of the Whispering Grove

 Deep within the heart of the ancient forest, where sunlight dappled through the verdant canopy, stood a grove of whispering trees. Elara, known as the Keeper, was its sentinel, a guardian of its secrets and its delicate balance. She felt a profound kinship with the grove, a connection that ran deeper than blood or time.

The grove held a unique magic; its trees, imbued with an ancient energy, whispered stories on the wind, tales of forgotten times and hidden realms. Elara, with her keen senses, could hear their voices, understanding the subtle nuances of their language. She felt the grove’s resonance, a living pulse that echoed the rhythm of her own heart.

Each year, during the autumn equinox, the grove unveiled its most precious gift: the Lumina Blossoms. These rare flowers, blooming only under the convergence of celestial energies, possessed an ephemeral beauty, their petals glowing with a soft, ethereal luminescence. They were a symbol of hope, a reminder of the fleeting nature of beauty and the enduring power of life.

However, a shadow had fallen upon the grove. A creeping blight, born of fear and discord, threatened to extinguish the Lumina Blossoms and silence the whispering trees. Elara felt the grove’s distress, a growing unease that permeated the air.

She knew she had to act, to protect the grove from the encroaching darkness. She ventured into the heart of the forest, following the faint trails of the blight, her heart heavy with concern. She navigated the labyrinth of tangled roots and winding paths, her senses alert, her spirit resolute.

She discovered a hidden spring, its waters tainted by the blight. The spring, she realized, was the source of the corruption, a gateway through which the darkness was seeping into the grove. She knew that she must crystallize the pure energy of the grove to create an aegis around the spring.

Elara gathered the Lumina Blossoms, their luminescence a beacon in the encroaching darkness. She wove their petals into a shimmering net, channeling the ancient energy of the grove through her hands. She sang the forgotten songs, her voice echoing through the trees, weaving a tapestry of light and sound.

As the net shimmered with power, she cast it over the tainted spring, sealing the gateway, purifying the waters. The blight recoiled, its tendrils withering, its power diminished.

The grove breathed a collective sigh of relief, the whispering trees rustling their leaves in gratitude. The Lumina Blossoms, their luminescence restored, shone brightly in the night sky. Elara, the Keeper of the Whispering Grove, had protected her sanctuary, ensuring that its magic would endure.

State lawmakers reject bill to curb farms’ water pumping

 California state lawmakers are pursuing a proposal to limit agricultural groundwater withdrawals as drought extends across California and wells in more than 1,000 homes have run dry.

A bill proposed by Rep. Steve Bennett, D-Santa Barbara, has created more hurdles to obtaining permits to drill agricultural wells. The bill passed the Senate on Monday, but Bennett decided not to take a final vote in the House of Representatives until the legislative session ends Wednesday night. He told California Govt. Gavin Newsom's office said the account is no longer available due to the account being changed.

In one of the driest years in recent history, California lawmakers passed no new laws to improve water supplies or prevent over-pumping, despite programs such as groundwater management and water recycling being budgeted. The bill would be the biggest change to groundwater management in California since the state's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was passed in 2014 during the last drought, said Roger Dickinson, a former Sacramento Democrat and one of the authors.

Even after the law was passed, over 6,750 new irrigation wells were drilled in the last five years. "You can't achieve sustainability unless you're aware of continued drilling," said Dickinson, director of policy for CivicWell, a nonprofit that advocates for sustainable local policies.

If Bennett's proposal is approved, local groundwater management agencies, primarily in the Central Valley, will have to assess whether new, expanded or reactivated wells will affect local aquifers before local authorities can issue permits. Applicants must also submit surveys by an engineer or geologist demonstrating that the well does not interfere with a nearby well.

The legislation focuses on agricultural wells. Excludes wells for domestic and public water systems that pump less than two acres per year.

The bill had little public debate in the Senate until it passed on Monday. But a few months ago, Central Valley lawmakers protested, sparking heated debate in Congress.

Fresno Republican Congressman Jim Patterson said, "If we continue this tough approach, we will see a day when millions of acres of farmland will go idle and thousands of farm workers will lose their jobs." said in May. "The death of agriculture is only part of these voices."

Congressman Adam Gray, a Democrat from Merced, said the bill would "make a complete statement and reverse the process in Sacramento, regardless of local circumstances."

"Once again we're seeing legislation written and supported by people who are not from the Valley who think they know what's best for us," he said in a statement Thursday.

Business and agriculture groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Farm Bureau Federation, objected that the measure would affect landowners' rights to use groundwater and would sue the permit decision. Daniel Merkley, director of water resources at the California Farm Bureau Federation, called the legislation "premature" and "overkill."

He said it could interfere with "what we want to accomplish with groundwater in the future" and doesn't address the diversity of California's groundwater basin.

“Some (pools) are in severe overdraft and some are already managed in a sustainable way. This bill made one envelope for all”.

Bennett said farm and business groups strongly oppose the bill. However, the demise was due to an amendment brought to the Senate Appropriations Committee that weakened the provision compared to an order issued by Newsom earlier this year.

The changes removed the permit requirement to demonstrate that their wells do not increase the settlement. Glendale Democratic state Sen. Anthony Portantino's credit chairman did not respond to a request for comment.

Newsom's order, issued after a record start to the year, temporarily prohibits local governments from allowing wells that could damage nearby wells or cause subsidence that could damage structures. "If that doesn't happen and we keep it as strong as an executive order, I'm sure this bill is on the governor's desk and he will sign it," Bennett said. "But instead we have to start all over again next year."

 

Read more: https://calmatters.org/environment/2022/09/california-legislation-water-drought/