So exactly how dry has it been in California?

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat cliimate watchers,

So exactly how dry has it been during the 2013-2014 "wet" season? . . . . . . . . .

Does this answer your question!



The "rainstorm" of this past Thursday essentially passed up by, leaving only 0.05" (1.3mm) of rain.  That means that we only got 0.07" (1.8mm) for the entire month of January.  That's 1.3% of normal - 1/100th.  Since we got some rain in the autumn, the overall numbers aren't as bad, but aren't good either.  Orinda has only gotten about 20% of normal seasonal rainfall to January 31st.

Yup, if it doesn't start raining and a lot's of it, we are looking at a class-1A disaster.

Oh well, . . . . .

Edouard

[Bull Winkus]

We're pulling for ya, Edouard! Hope the drought breaks soon.

Herb

[HantaYo]

I won't tell you how much snow I just got but I was really getting worried the drought was reasserting itself again in Colorado.  I believe the rain clouds are starting to roll into the sunshine state.  Keep you umbrella handy

[elagache]

Dear Herb, Jeff, and WeatherCat climate watchers,

Well, there are some hints that the overall weather pattern is changing.  There is a chance for a little bit of rain tomorrow ~0.1" (2.5mm).  Medium range forecast models have been holding steady with a wet pattern starting about a week from today.  Alas, forecast accuracy over 5 days is hardly impressive.

We'll just have to see.  We are really at the point where we would very heavy rains like we had in December 2012 to avoid nasty rationing.  I can see that the trees and plants that aren't watered are really suffering like they have never done before.  It is definitely looking like an ecological crisis already and the only real cure is for mother nature's watering system to finally turn-on.

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat climate watchers,

We got 0.12" (0.3mm) of rain overnight from a weak system.  That was definitely less than hoped for.  The forecast was for more than double that and usually we get more rain than forecast.

Worse still, the forecast models are predicting the return of the high-pressure ridge that has bedeviled us for most of this winter.  If you trust those models, we won't get any more rain through the month of February which would raise fire weather concerns.  Given the stability of this feature in the past, I would sadly expect that the other weird weather you'all have been experiencing would once more return.

The forecast models have not been infallible, let's hope they are in error - and soon!

Cheers, Edouard

[Blicj11]

Edouard:

I see from your banner that you are closing in on an inch of rain today. Good news for your part of the country.

[elagache]

Hi Blick and WeatherCat victims of  . . . . .

I see from your banner that you are closing in on an inch of rain today. Good news for your part of the country.

Yes things have definitely changed around here.  I had a minor drain backup problem that clearly was a result of a new drain finally getting used for the first time in a year.  We've had 7.78" (198mm) of rain this February and more rain is expected this afternoon and evening.  That is 64% more than a normal February.  That still leaves us with only about 41% of the total precipitation for a normal year.  However, if we continue to have a wet spring, we might catch up enough to avoid really harsh rationing.  The forecast remains promising.  More rain expected for next week!

Cheers, Edouard 

[Randall75]

Hi Edouard
 See there is a lot of flooding and mud slides out there are you experiencing any of that at your house hope not


that storm is to bring us 6- 10 more inches of snow and around zero temps


cheers


  

[elagache]

Hi Randall and WeatherCat fans,

See there is a lot of flooding and mud slides out there are you experiencing any of that at your house hope not

We rode out the storm with only one drain that got plugged with some debris.  I suspect it was leftover soil from the repairs we had done to a drain in 2012.  This was the first time we had received enough rain for that new drain to finally be used!

We also had a power outrage of about an hour.  However, a neighbor spotted a car that had plowed into a power pole.  So the question remains: was the outrage the responsibility of the storm or the irresponsibility of that driver!

that storm is to bring us 6- 10 more inches of snow and around zero temps

I sure am surprised that storms running almost west-east aren't bringing you some relief from the cold.  As reported in the Davis e-club news, there is definitely something odd going on with the polar jet stream.

Oh well,

Cheers, Edouard 

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat drought watchers,

With the change of month, I updated my precipitation graph on my website:



As you can see the heavy rains of February did go a long way to bringing us to a more normal season.  We got 7.85 inches which is 65% above a normal February and was almost 3 times the rain we had gotten from July to January.  Unfortunately, when you are in such a deep hole it is hard to get out of it.  Even with that bounty, we find ourselves with only 56% of the total rainfall that we should have received by March first.

Still, the rains are continuing into March although not with the same ferocity.  We'll take all we can get!

Cheers, Edouard 

[Blicj11]

Still, the rains are continuing into March...

Those storms are dumping snow for us here in Utah so we are likewise grateful for the blessings of moisture.

[HantaYo]

Not too much snow in central Colorado.  Storms taking a more northern track.  Last night we got .3" of snow; was hoping for a March Blizzard.

[Bull Winkus]

We got socked with between 4" and 6" of raw sleet over a roughly 18 hour period. Plus a late Winter plunge into the walk-in freezer.

[elagache]

Hi Jeff, Herb, and WeatherCat climate watchers,

Since the monster storm of the end of February, we have been at the limit of storms indeed going mostly to the north.  So we are getting modest amounts of rain.  Yesterday night we got a more substantial amount: 0.56" (14mm) which was substantially above the forecast.  Alas, this morning the National Weather Service forecast discussion was back to gloom and doom.  We were expecting some rain from a 3rd storm on Sunday.  The forecast models are now rebuilding the high-pressure ridge and shunting that storm way to the north.  Worse, there is nothing but dry and above normal temperatures expected for at least 10 days.

Now the forecast models aren't nearly as reliable in general and especially this winter, but if this pattern does persist, then it would mean more drought in the west and more cold in the east.

Definitely time to do whatever you'all did to get some more monster storms to come by like what happened at the end of February.

Cheers, Edouard 

[HantaYo]

Finally 3" of snow with .26" of prec.  More light snow in the forecast but most of the precip heading north.  I hope this pattern of every month or several weeks without meaningful precip ends real soon.