Natives, and long-time dwellers from elsewhere, tell me that this Spring's storm pattern is normal for my part of Texas (DFW and points north) at this time of year. After all, this region anchors Tornado Alley's southwestern end.

Last year (my first spring in the Republic) was abnormally calm, and consequently very dry -- so much so that many wildflowers, including the famous Texas bluebonnet, were rare or absent. This year, they've been carpeting roadsides, berms, highway embankments and medians in wonderful profusion. There's a fair-sized open field between where I currently live and the main road -- last year it remained pretty brown. This year, it's a meadow. The Indian Paintbrush have been especially vigorous.

Most of North Texas' domestic water supply comes from artificial lakes. There are quite a lot of them, and some are extensive (a quick look on Google Earth and/or Google Maps will show you). Last summer the average level of the local lakes was around 15 feet below normal. This spring so far, they've all but recovered.

Last year by this time we had already seen a few days with highs above 90 (including two in the middle of February!). Not yet this year.

Just goes to show: "extreme" isn't, always.