Rain, to relieve the California Pain?

[DoomsDave]

Got a bit of rain yesterday. A nice, gentle shower to read palm books by while cooking up some Palm Society Stew.

We got about half an inch to an inch in La Habra.

How about the rest of you Californians?

[Pando]

None here... yet. Hopefully tomorrow, but you never know.

[Hammer]

Some but not a ton. Setting the sprinklers to "rain"...hoping.

[trioderob]

very heavy rain coming to San Diego - SEVERAL INCHES with mountains getting half a foot o rain Dude.

[John Case]

Rain on Sunday a half to a full inch....big rain supposedly will be here on Tuesday with chances of showers through the week....

[WestCoastGal]

We've had a few good downpours recently and actually woke during the early morning hours to hear it on the roof one night. Sunday we headed out for breakfast and it probably rained for about an hour in a steady downpour then tapered off and was intermittent. More or less a dry day Monday but expecting more rain starting this morning through Thursday. TV report said the San Jose area has so far received about 88% of normal rainfall so far. Points north of SJ were less. Interesting to see where we are after the next couple of days. Hopefully no flooding any where. Helps that the rain hasn't been continuous.

[WestCoastGal]

Rained throughout the night, sometimes pretty heavily and the radar map right now has most of the state from south of Eureka to the LA area and from coast to Central Valley in green, yellow and /or orange this morning. Weatherman here saying we can expect rain pretty steadily throughout the day.

[DoomsDave]

It's just starting here in the Land o'the Big La La.

[DoomsDave]

It's in the news.

Hope the disaster predictions are untrue.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/huge-california-rainstorm-begins-rainfall-records-set-to-fall/ar-BBgfpiK

[WestCoastGal]

I know they are concerned about fire damaged areas northeast of the Bay too. They've been air dropping straw to the burn areas to try to circumvent or lessen mudslides.

The heavy rain today prompted me to recall one December, I think it was a few years back, when we had practically every day with some amount of rain. You can still see the boron deficiency in the mule and butia which were located in the same planting bed. Other areas of the yard didn't seem affected so I assume that area has poorer drainage. We've landscaped our beds since then and added mini bark mulch everywhere. If this month turns out to be another heavy rain month, it will be interesting to see if the same palms get affected.

[nachocarl]

Very little rain on this side of Vista thus far at 3:00 pm Tues...

Edited December 2, 2014 by nachocarl

[WestCoastGal]

3pm Channel 7 TV weather update for SF Bay area is as follows:

San Jose is now 124% above normal as of 3pm. Coastal areas of Moffet Field 120%; SFO airport 113%; San Francisco 101%; and inland areas near normal: Livermore 94%; Oakland airport 97%; Sacramento 84%.

24-hr totals Redwood City 1.8 inches, Ben Lomand 1.49; Lexington Reservoir 1.22; San Jose 1.15; Livermore 1.31; Concord 1.24; Oakland 1.18; Hayward 1.14; San Francisco 1.45; Mill Valley 1.46; Napa 1.01; Vacaville .99. It's scattered showers now with a break in the rain front but more expected. Sounds encouraging.

[Jubaea]

2 inches in Santa Barbara. Almost 3 inches total for the season. I think that is close to if not slightly above normal for season to date.

[trioderob]

3/4" for san diego with more on the way

[Alicehunter2000]

What's good for you all seems to be working for us in the Southeast.....we have had wonderful weather....50's at night and upper 70's and low 80's in the day. If it would only last till March.

[DoomsDave]

What's good for you all seems to be working for us in the Southeast.....we have had wonderful weather....50's at night and upper 70's and low 80's in the day. If it would only last till March.

If it works for you, it will work for us too!

Doing our rain dances . . .

[Capnrey]

Dana Point got some rain . .not as much as they made it seem we would get. I will say though - the temps are fantastic here - I felt like it was almost the tropics yesterday and today.

[WestCoastGal]

Thought this factoid from our KPIX CBS weatherman was interesting. President Bush was in the White House when it rained this much over a 2-day period. That's what he said. All kinds of flooding in the Bay area (Mill Valley and Petaluma mentioned). Large 20x30x10-ft sinkhole developed in a SF Lake Street neighborhood, suspending a gas line in mid-air (Lots of aging infrastructure around, the one that broke dated back to 1904-05). A number of drivers were forced to abandoned their cars in flooded roadways and under via ducts--some swimming to get back to drier roadway. The new span of the Bay Bridge developed a large pothole in one of the lanes complicating morning travel. Highway 101 (MAJOR highway here) in Marin had 2 lanes closed due to flooding and high tides near the bay causing major delays for commuters. Santa Cruz mountains got slammed as well. Trees down, a flat-roofed CVS had the roof collapse under the weight of water that didn't drain fast enough. Power outages all around the bay. Some areas got hit with strong winds. 150 flights at SFO canceled, more delayed.

On the Plus side of the rain -- roofing contractors have more work than they can handle. Ski resorts are getting some snow pack. Yosemite Falls in the Sierra Mts. which has been completely dry for the past several months is now flowing in full force. Now for the drought issue in our area...

Past 3 days totals: Los Gatos 6.71 inches; Morgan Hill 3.07; San Jose 2.47; Martinez 3.69; Pleasanton 3.57; Fremont 2.68; Burlingame 4.03; Pacifica 3.96; Downtown SF 3.87; Novato 5.37; Fairfax 4.25; St. Helena 3.94. And it's still raining although the heavy downpours (except for my area) and winds are suppose to be over. So how much of Rainfall Deficit is now gone? 10%. More rain on Friday and possibly more on Monday.

[DoomsDave]

Thought this factoid from our KPIX CBS weatherman was interesting. President Bush was in the White House when it rained this much over a 2-day period. That's what he said. All kinds of flooding in the Bay area (Mill Valley and Petaluma mentioned). Large 20x30x10-ft sinkhole developed in a SF Lake Street neighborhood, suspending a gas line in mid-air (Lots of aging infrastructure around, the one that broke dated back to 1904-05). A number of drivers were forced to abandoned their cars in flooded roadways and under via ducts--some swimming to get back to drier roadway. The new span of the Bay Bridge developed a large pothole in one of the lanes complicating morning travel. Highway 101 (MAJOR highway here) in Marin had 2 lanes closed due to flooding and high tides near the bay causing major delays for commuters. Santa Cruz mountains got slammed as well. Trees down, a flat-roofed CVS had the roof collapse under the weight of water that didn't drain fast enough. Power outages all around the bay. Some areas got hit with strong winds. 150 flights at SFO canceled, more delayed.

On the Plus side of the rain -- roofing contractors have more work than they can handle. Ski resorts are getting some snow pack. Yosemite Falls in the Sierra Mts. which has been completely dry for the past several months is now flowing in full force. Now for the drought issue in our area...

Past 3 days totals: Los Gatos 6.71 inches; Morgan Hill 3.07; San Jose 2.47; Martinez 3.69; Pleasanton 3.57; Fremont 2.68; Burlingame 4.03; Pacifica 3.96; Downtown SF 3.87; Novato 5.37; Fairfax 4.25; St. Helena 3.94. And it's still raining although the heavy downpours (except for my area) and winds are suppose to be over. So how much of Rainfall Deficit is now gone? 10%. More rain on Friday and possibly more on Monday.

Which President Bush?

[trioderob]

got another inch of rain down in san diego last night

around 1.7 inches total over 3 days of non stop rain

Edited December 4, 2014 by trioderob

[WestCoastGal]

Dave they didn't say but I wondered the same thing myself.

The fact that these fronts are encompassing good portions of California at one time has to be a good thing for all. Glad we have a break in the rain today. Won't exactly describe the repeated moderately heavy rainfall hitting the roof as water torture but I know I couldn't take living in the Pacific northwest with as much rainfall as they get. Too much of a good thing!

[DoomsDave]

The good thing about this is that it's early in the season.

My experience has been that when the rain starts early it continues, because the system of low and high pressure areas tends to stay the same through the winter months.

Even if we don't get El Nino, at least we'll get some rain. El Nino might well be too much of a good thing. 1998 was a helluva year.

[MattyB]

got another inch of rain down in san diego last night

around 1.7 inches total over 3 days of non stop rain

We got pounded last night several times with over 1.5" overnight, for a storm total of 2.75"

[trioderob]

orthographic enhancement

[Jim in Los Altos]

San Jose got more rain in three days than in ALL of 2013. My gauge recorded 5.7 inches for that three day period with most of the rain falling in a 24 hour period. The long range models are looking very good for a number of storms coming our way, some strong, some weaker but we'll take 'em all!

[MattyB]

orthographic enhancement

Orographic, but yeah, maybe a little squeeze outta Dictionary Hill......not sure if that's as true as it is with the actual foothills and mountains, but hey I'll take it.

[WestCoastGal]

Rain started as expected tonight at rushhour. Man is it coming down. Orange Red on wunderground legend. Just heard some thunder too. Our DirecTV satellite service which never seems to be bothered by the weather or winds here, keeps putting up a message it's looking for a signal on one of the tuners. Feel for anyone trying to drive home in this.

BTW we didn't have mudslides up here last round but saw on the news that Riverside county had some 3-4 feet high mudslides cars got trapped in. Can't imagine cars work after that.

[WestCoastGal]

Hope all that rain hasn't caused the ground to shift...with more to come. I always wonder if after a drought and the following rain if the earth doesn't become more lubricated. Just felt a quick 3-4 second shaker of decent strength while on second floor. Origin San Juan Batistia, 4.1 downgraded to 3.9.

[John Case]

Raining right now in Brentwood and supposed to go through the night.

Another 'big' storm is shaping up for a week out or so.

All is good....

[Dave-Vero]

I suppose surfers will be complaining of foul water.

Lets hope this is a real break in the worst drought in a millenium, based on a new tree-ring study. USA Today

I suppose someone will claim that "Real trees have rings."

[Hammer]

I suppose someone will claim that "Real trees have rings."

They do! I have a Howea that is close to getting it's first ring of trunk.

[nachocarl]

Two assumptions here based on the report/propaganda? piece on the "Worst Drought in 1200 Years".

Assumption 1: it is true and the area has seen the worst in 1200 year

Assumption 2: current rain trend will continue and the area will progress out of it.

I see that as positive in weathering the worst in 1200 years and with a little progress in the area (California particularly) towards better storage and production (Desal) we should be able to move forward without sacrificing agriculture, golf. and garden enthusiasts.

[DoomsDave]

San Jose got more rain in three days than in ALL of 2013. My gauge recorded 5.7 inches for that three day period with most of the rain falling in a 24 hour period. The long range models are looking very good for a number of storms coming our way, some strong, some weaker but we'll take 'em all!

And we'll take what you'll let us have.

Getting my raingear ready.

[DoomsDave]

Two assumptions here based on the report/propaganda? piece on the "Worst Drought in 1200 Years".

Assumption 1: it is true and the area has seen the worst in 1200 year

Assumption 2: current rain trend will continue and the area will progress out of it.

I see that as positive in weathering the worst in 1200 years and with a little progress in the area (California particularly) towards better storage and production (Desal) we should be able to move forward without sacrificing agriculture, golf. and garden enthusiasts.

1. Don't know about the first. 1200 years is a while and I wasnt' there for most of it. THough I suspect you can infer from tree rings.

2. My experience is that if the rain starts early, it continues, since the patterns for "highs" and "lows" get fixed. Like an election, not like a kitty-cat . . . (know whut ah mean?)

[WestCoastGal]

Saw this interesting factoid on how today's drenching, non-stop rain has affected nearby reservoirs that have been decimated by the drought:

Lexington (alongside Hwy 17): was at 17.9% of capacity at 12:15 a.m. on 12/11. Now it's at 22.7%

Guadalupe (SE of Los Gatos): was at 6.5% of capacity at midnight on 12/11. Now it's at 10.5%.

One weathercaster said he estimated the recent accumulative totals of rainfall have put a 20% dent in the drought. All cities cited in the bay area were over 100% of normal for the year. For the furthest north one it was 160+% above normal.

[Moose]

I'll bet if you hadn't mulched the weeds are cranking from all the rain. A certain unnamed person comes to mind ...

[WestCoastGal]

Always love seeing the green slope on the ridges near us.

[WestCoastGal]

KTVU here in the Bay area has just reported that Marin County reservoirs at are 99.8% capacity. Normally at this time of year the average capacity would be 69%. Best totals for the State. Wow!

Marin County is north of San Francisco for those unfamiliar with California geography.