topic Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif. in Community Chat

My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:06:46 GMT

While we had several large storms in December, I have the feeling that in January we won't.

Oh, we'll get rain, but I don't think we'll get any more of the big storms, that have 40 mph winds, and between 1 - 2 inches of rain.

I hope that I am wrong, because even though we have had several large storms, we are still in a drought situation, and can use every single drop of rain that we can get.

This past week, we had several thunderstorms, which, for where I live, isn't something that we normally have.

My young (three year old) cat LOVES thunderstorms. He'll sit in the window, or outside, and watch the lightning. I think that he thinks that lightning is cool.

While my other cat, who is over ten, fears thunderstorms, and will hide under the bed or couch to get away from it.

But, we shall see if my prediction holds true or not.

As I said, I would LOVE to be wrong.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

sandraskates — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:32:15 GMT

Sadly @Plaid Pants2 I think so too. I think El Nino is going to be El Busto.

It would actually be better to keep getting small storms to allow the ground to absorb the water little-by-little and I hope that is what will keep happening. I guess we'll see.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

hoosieroriginal — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:44:58 GMT

I heard the El Nino was strong, but I don't think it was going to last past spring. I'm wondering how that will affect all of our weather. I saw Indiana was supposed to be dryer and warmer this winter - I'm sure enjoying it so far - no snow, but we are getting a ton of rain the next couple of days. Flood warnings out. Unfortunately, with California, the drought has gone on so long it would take a very very long time to replenish the aquafers (sp?). I saw a 60 minute or similar show where they say the farmers in northern california are pumping water out of the aquafers faster than they can ever be replenished in this drought. Sad. We need underground pipes to take water from areas that have too much water to the areas that need it.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

sandraskates — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:53:58 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I heard the El Nino was strong, but I don't think it was going to last past spring. I'm wondering how that will affect all of our weather. I saw Indiana was supposed to be dryer and warmer this winter - I'm sure enjoying it so far - no snow, but we are getting a ton of rain the next couple of days. Flood warnings out. Unfortunately, with California, the drought has gone on so long it would take a very very long time to replenish the aquafers (sp?). I saw a 60 minute or similar show where they say the farmers in northern california are pumping water out of the aquafers faster than they can ever be replenished in this drought. Sad. We need underground pipes to take water from areas that have too much water to the areas that need it.

Yes - we do. I've been saying that all this past year and it's a project that should be quite do-able for our government as an infrastructure project. This type of water, if treated, could be used to help the farmers. But I'm not holding my breath that a project like this will ever happen.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:57:31 GMT

As far as pumping water from one area that has too much, to another area that has too little, I don't know how feasible that would actually be.

First, there is the cost to build and lay pipes that would criss-cross the country.

Billions upon billions of dollars to be sure.

Where is that money going to come from?

We already pay an arm and a leg in taxes here in California. To raise property, or sales tax even more, would go over with the voters here about as well as a lead balloon.

And secondly, there is no way to predict which areas of the country will have floods, and which areas will have droughts.

Just because, say, Kansas had floods last year, is no guarantee that they'll flood this year, next year, or in the next ten years.

Then they would have to do all of the environmental studies before one foot of pipe could be put in to the ground.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

HappyDaze — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:00:55 GMT

I don't know, they are getting alot of snow and that is the most important thing for water in CA. The rainfall is only a minor answer to the lack of water- it is all about the snowpack.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

Moonchilde — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:08:11 GMT

For SoCal, whether El Nino actually manifests itself will be about rainfall, and that is typically between Jan-Mar. But as far as the drought, the snowpack is all. And although it will help a lot, one El Nino winter, *even if* a good one, won't solve all our problems, drought-wise :-(

SoCal is always the poor relation when it comes to rainfall.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

MaggieMack — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:10:30 GMT

@Plaid Pants2, since I think you live up in far Northern California, I was wondering if you have heard anything about the levels in Shasta Dam. When I worked there right out of college, it was overflowing. A few years later, it looked depressing there was so little water.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:12:14 GMT

@MaggieMack wrote:
@Plaid Pants2, since I think you live up in far Northern California, I was wondering if you have heard anything about the levels in Shasta Dam. When I worked there right out of college, it was overflowing. A few years later, it looked depressing there was so little water.

No, I haven't heard anything about the water level of Shasta Dam.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

sandraskates — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:17:59 GMT

All good points @Plaid Pants2.

There could also be an option of sending water tanker trucks to flooded areas to suck up the water and truck it where it's needed. Yes, all this costs $$$$ but I'd rather see us use the money here for projects than send it away to other countries. (That's a whole nother topic. :-) ) Happy New Year!

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

HappyDaze — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:24:25 GMT

@MaggieMack wrote:
@Plaid Pants2, since I think you live up in far Northern California, I was wondering if you have heard anything about the levels in Shasta Dam. When I worked there right out of college, it was overflowing. A few years later, it looked depressing there was so little water.

@MaggieMack it looks more like this now, if not worse. Note the light colored dirt which shows you how low it is now. Where there were boat ramps, they are now sitting on dirt, stranded. It is actually very very sad.

Oroville Dam is in a world of hurt too.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

MaggieMack — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:28:10 GMT

@HappyDaze, thank you for posting those pictures, I think. It is painful to view. But it does bring the "drought" concept home to us who don't live there anymore. I hope the rains come, in the right amounts, at the right times.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

HappyDaze — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:33:41 GMT

@MaggieMack yes it is actually heart breaking. Folsom lake is sad too. They discovered an old buried town under the lake when it practically dried up.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

raven-blackbird — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:34:28 GMT

In the Central Valley we have gotten a lot of rain and often, two storms this week alone.........the last El Nino that hit us we had rain and thunder storms through June..........................................raven

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

151949 — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 19:58:52 GMT

@sandraskates wrote:
@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I heard the El Nino was strong, but I don't think it was going to last past spring. I'm wondering how that will affect all of our weather. I saw Indiana was supposed to be dryer and warmer this winter - I'm sure enjoying it so far - no snow, but we are getting a ton of rain the next couple of days. Flood warnings out. Unfortunately, with California, the drought has gone on so long it would take a very very long time to replenish the aquafers (sp?). I saw a 60 minute or similar show where they say the farmers in northern california are pumping water out of the aquafers faster than they can ever be replenished in this drought. Sad. We need underground pipes to take water from areas that have too much water to the areas that need it.
Yes - we do. I've been saying that all this past year and it's a project that should be quite do-able for our government as an infrastructure project. This type of water, if treated, could be used to help the farmers. But I'm not holding my breath that a project like this will ever happen.

I have been saying this as well. They move oil and gas all over the country but can't put in a pipeline to move vitally needed water. I guess there isn't a huge profit in it. it's not like there isn't enough water to move - plenty for everyone if the politicians would get off their high horses and actually put some effort into helping the people who elected them.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 20:19:40 GMT

@151949 wrote:
@sandraskates wrote:
@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I heard the El Nino was strong, but I don't think it was going to last past spring. I'm wondering how that will affect all of our weather. I saw Indiana was supposed to be dryer and warmer this winter - I'm sure enjoying it so far - no snow, but we are getting a ton of rain the next couple of days. Flood warnings out. Unfortunately, with California, the drought has gone on so long it would take a very very long time to replenish the aquafers (sp?). I saw a 60 minute or similar show where they say the farmers in northern california are pumping water out of the aquafers faster than they can ever be replenished in this drought. Sad. We need underground pipes to take water from areas that have too much water to the areas that need it.
Yes - we do. I've been saying that all this past year and it's a project that should be quite do-able for our government as an infrastructure project. This type of water, if treated, could be used to help the farmers. But I'm not holding my breath that a project like this will ever happen.

I have been saying this as well. They move oil and gas all over the country but can't put in a pipeline to move vitally needed water. I guess there isn't a huge profit in it. it's not like there isn't enough water to move - plenty for everyone if the politicians would get off their high horses and actually put some effort into helping the people who elected them.

To put pipes in all over this country would take BILLIONS of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Do YOU want to pay MORE in taxes to pay for it?

Because the money has to come from somewhere.

Also, environmental studies have to be done before one single foot of pipe can be put in to the ground.

That takes years to go through.

Lastly, there is no way to predict which areas of the country will flood from one year to the next.

Just because it flooded in Ohio last year, is NO guarantee that it will flood again this year, next year, or within the next ten years.

Yes, laying pipes in and piping water from Point "A" to Point "B" sounds good on paper.

But then comes the REALITY of actually implementing it.

And those can be two VASTLY different things.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 21:04:19 GMT

So, if so called authorities can/can't predicts the accuracy of El Nino, why are we supposed to believe any climate change statements?

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

HappyDaze — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 21:51:58 GMT

Here are two very unpopular ideas to help with the water issues (among other issues...):

1.) stop having so many children- the eatth cannot sustain the population as it is and the way the population is exponentially increasing, there is no possible way the earth can sustain the future population as is (I predict epic health issues in the future if population increase remains the way it is- including widespread diseases that wipe out large populated areas, think "plague-like" proportions).

2) stop building more homes and cities in areas where there is NO water, places like, oh I don't know, deserts. Yes, I'm looking at you Nevada and Los Angeles, lol.

Not trying to be doom and gloom but the writing is on the wall if we maintain our current lifestyles and pace. Remember, it isn't us that will suffer the consequences but our great and great great granchildren. Maybe that is why so many don't really care or want to take all this seriously? I know personally I do not want our future generations to have to deal with the mess we are leaving them.

And that is all I will say on the issue as I know many will disagree. But the truth hurts and no one wants to face the truth.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

ladyroxanne — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 22:22:05 GMT

@HappyDaze

i'm close to folsom lake and that has been very sad. after this past rain there has been an improvement, at least some.

Re: My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

HappyDaze — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 22:24:46 GMT

@ladyroxanne wrote:
@HappyDaze

i'm close to folsom lake and that has been very sad. after this past rain there has been an improvement, at least some.

@ladyroxanne I am glad to hear there has been some improvement. This past summer I went to Folsom lake and to Lake Oroville (Oroville Dam, actually) and honestly I was so depressed about the state of things. I don't see how it all can recover to where it was before. It breaks my heart and I pray some day the levels will be back to where they once were but I am afraid they never will be.