YakovL –The OP is talking about “we” in Eretz Yisroel, who DID start to ask for rain Thursday night at Maariv — the night of the 7th of Cheshvan. That same night there was the first significant rainfall of the year (there was one brief rain before Sukkos, but that was it, despite a few times when the forecast predicted more.) It also continued to rain here in Eretz Yisroel over Shabbos, B”H!
Zehavasdad — That is the difference between Eretz Yisroel and NY. Here every drop is viewed as a Bracha, while in NY it is just a nuisance!
I don’t want to be pessimistic, but remember that last year immediately after 7 Cheshvan there was also a rainfall — but then we had no more rain until the end of Kislev. So although I agree that this seems like a great siman Bracha, make sure to keep up your Kavana in vsain tal — halevai this should continue all winter!