My Weather Prediction For NW Calif.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

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.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

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.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

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.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

@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.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

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.

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

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.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

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.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

MaggieMack · ‎10-01-2014

@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 act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

@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.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

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!