The Scent of Rain on Red Earth

When a spit of rain hits the red soil of Central Australia, the atmosphere cools and the smell of earthy freshness rises. This was the case when soft skies and gentle sunshine paid a visit over the past few days. The landscape drank up the wet, and Alice Springs relaxed, the burden of summer lightened.

The east coast is flooding. Cyclones lurk off the coast of the Top End. In the heart of Australia, Alice Springs has hit the high thirties in temperature with the start of summer. We are in the latter stages of the year. Natural disasters have plagued large swathes of Australia this season. Others are sick of rain; we still welcome it with open arms. But then, we are not underwater.

The mist of rain in Alice Springs, Central Australia

We watch for the blue and yellow on the Bureau of Meteorology’s radar. Sometimes they blow right over Alice Springs bringing raindrops, other times they duck under, and the storm does not hit. Already this year, the Todd River has breached its banks. There is precedent for a deluge, but thus far, we have escaped the fierce grip of flood.

For now, we take respite in the cooler climate. It allows us to move around unrestricted, visit outdoor cafes, and go for walks, even as the mist rises over the MacDonnell Ranges and threads its way through the town. No one takes the rain for granted. In other locations, no one takes the dry for granted. It has been a hard year. Who knows what the future brings? In remote Australia, we look forward, not back. And we survive.