What are the Rain Gods Thinking?

Many years ago, before I became a resident in Puerto Vallarta I was visiting with my brother-in-law and sister at their home in Puerto Vallarta on Calle Lirious.  At that time, Charlie and Shirley (Sacamano) had lived in PV and the surrounding area (Punta Burro/Sayulita) for approximately 10 years and were basically responsible for our becoming acquainted with Puerto Vallarta.  I say all this so I can establish Charlie’s credentials for the following.

We were visiting in May and the conversation turned to the upcoming rainy season.  When I questioned Charlie as to when the season began he quickly said, “June 14^th at 4:00P.”  A quick look showed a straight face, however, I knew I was being toyed with but couldn´t shake his statement – June 14^th at 4:00 PM.  Returning to a safer subject of Tequila and gin tonics I forgot about rainy seasons since I came from an area that had a 9 months season and it wasn´t of that much scientific interest.

A few years later we were living in PV and were still here as June 14^th approached.  The weather had been cloudy and threatened rain but was still dry when June 14^th arrived and the time of 4:00 PM approached.  We watched the clock and at 4:00 PM the first raindrops dented the swimming pool.  Within a couple of minutes it was a veritable cloudburst and we watched the pool almost overflow before the deluge abated.  Charlie was vindicated.  Ever since when people ask “when does the rainy season begin”, I always answer firmly, June 14^th at 4:00 PM.  I´ve been accurate at least 75% of the time, so I feel good.  Thanks Charlie for a great response to an oft asked question.

This year, as the date approached the weather has been cloudy and threatening.  There was even a localized small shower at Teatro Limon last Saturday, June 11^th; while dampening my enthusiasm, as everyone else was cheering, I was able to determine the happening was  limited locally to just a few surrounding blocks, and didn´t last more than a few minutes.  Whew!

Then June 14th arrived, cloudy and promising, the time of 4:00 PM passed – 4:30 -4:45 – 5:00 PM with no rain, and then the phone rang.  A friend from Bucerias was calling to update us on some activities then asked if it was raining in Puerto Vallarta and I said no.  How lucky you are she said, it´s raining hard here.  When I asked how long she said “approximately” one hour.  Since Bucerias is only 15 miles away I felt I had been saved - in other words I´ll take credit for the Bucerias deluge.  Wow, how exciting! 

However, it´s now June 17^th at 4:00 PM with bright and cloudless skies and Puerto Vallarta is still without rain…hmmm.  What are the Rain Gods thinking?