December Weirdly Dry In NorCal; Shaping Up As 4th-Driest In SF Since 1849

[hatrack]

For the first time in more than two weeks, rain fell overnight in the Bay Area. But the amount of precipitation recorded was minimal, and with no rain in the forecast through Sunday, December remains on track to be one of the driest on record in the region.

Rainfall totals were generally less than one-tenth of an inch, with as much as a quarter of an inch in some North Bay locations, according to the National Weather Service in Monterey. Elsewhere, Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains recorded .24 inches, San Francisco .13 inches, San Carlos .10 inches, Danville .09 inches, Oakland .07 inches and San Jose .07 inches.

EDIT

The fast-moving cold front delivered the first measurable precipitation in the Bay Area since Dec. 3, when San Francisco recorded .03 inches. With no rain in the forecast through Christmas, this month is shaping up to be the fourth driest in San Francisco since 1849 and the third driest in San Jose since 1893.

The weather service is reporting a chance of rain on Christmas Day, though confidence in the forecast is low. “There is no sign of an atmospheric river or pineapple express-type storm,” said meteorologist Charles Bell, referring to storms that typically deliver the greatest amounts of precipitation to Northern California. “If we do see a storm, it would be similar to what we saw” Wednesday morning.

EDIT

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/20/despite-overnight-rain-in-bay-area-december-tracking-to-be-one-of-driest-on-record/

[defacto7]

1. Anyone remember the drought of 1976?

Acually '74 '75 '76. I don't think Lake Shasta ever returned to it's previous depth. Has that bathtub ring since. I remember in '76 just a huge hole with a tiny amount of water at the bottom of a practically empty pit.

[OnlinePoker]

2. A tale of two La Nina's

Last years showed well above normal rainfall in both north and central California by this time. This year, only around half or less at most stations.

http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/awipsProducts/RNOWRKCLI.php