Is the drought we are suffering in Catalonia a coincidence?

First part: Is it casual the drought that we are facing in Catalonia?

The Catalan reservoirs have very little water. Is the severe rainfall lack a coincidence?

To answer as you deserve, we have to: 'discart that the relationship between the variables we choose is the result of pure coincidence' (what in Statistics we call 'statistically significant' values). At the same time, the sample must be very wide and include the same years for all the data we link.

In this text, we have created the following variables: amount of precipitation compared to the winter average in Catalonia and average temperature in the coldest season. Both are studied from 1991 to 2022 -both included-, that is, thirty-three winters.

When we talk about precipitation rains: in nineteen winters out of thirty-three are recorded amounts below the average. You can check it in this link.

As for the average winter temperature, it shows an uninterrupted upward trend since 1995, here you can see it.  The Ara newspaper adds precision: the average temperature in 1991 was 13.7 celsius degrees while in 2022 are 16.3.

The exposed data allow to affirm that the drought of this winter has not been casual.

Source: "Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya".

Second Part: How are the different climates classified? Does it affect me that in Barcelona we have a drier climate each time?

All climates have their place in the Köppen International Classification. The Mediterranean coast in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula has a temperature assigned to it, the so-called: "Csa mediterranean".

From the data of the first part, also, we can establish a strong correlation between decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature. 

Therefore, it is quite possible that without leaving the Mediterranean climate zone, our climate is moving towards a semi-arid type. In a semi-arid climate -that of Almeria or Murcia- they register only 300 to 350 liters per square meter and not the 600 of Barcelona.  It sounds like fiction, doesn't it? Until we read in the press that: 'between March 24, 2022 and March 23, 2023 in Barcelona will rain 273 liters per square meter'.

Does a much drier Mediterranean climate affect my daily life?

Very much, at least in three aspects:

1. We will have to be adequately insulated from the heat and, all of us, we will have to be mentalized, for example, to reuse the cold water from the shower.

2. Sixth generation fires will occur: it is urgent to clear the forest mass in winter.

3. It will be necessary to adapt the vegetation of the garden: many of the current plants will die with less rainfall and it will not be possible to water more. 

We will focus on the third point: it needs a lot of adaptation time and you can be the protagonist.

Part three: how to readapt the garden to the new reality? How to take care of the grass in dry periods?

In this link "Jardineria on" you can find a list of plants and trees for semi-arid climate.

Many gardens opt for grass. Do you have to give up because of the absence of rain?

No. The ideal is: fertilize it and water it little. How often is "little"?  From two to four weeks the first 1/2 inch of the grass and mow the highest parts. In this sense, never cut more than a third of the blade because it provides shade to the lower parts. Finally, avoid fertilizers: with drought  an excessive growth of the plant makes no sense .

To close this point, Gardenersworld provides tips to save water in the garden.  

Part four: taking care of the soil is an additional vaccine against drought

We need to be aware of a threat: soil erosion. When we talk about lack of water, everyone imagines two images: an unshrunken vineyard or a wasted soil. Have you ever wondered about these corners when it hasn't rained for a long time?

Fred and heat cause the rocks to expand, so they rise. Only precise irrigation slows erosion and ensures growth. While the plants grow, they protect the soil from sunlight. 

Life with little water is more complicated. From Finques Feliu, however, we believe that each person who reads this article can, with the tips that we have given, help themselves and help at this time.

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