The Storm Door Is Open

 

                                                         Rain Gauge December 3, 2014

An atmospheric river dropped 7 3/4 inches of rain at my house in Berkeley on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 24th and 25th. Pictured above is a photo of my rain gauge that I used in a blog post on December 3rd 2014. I was excited when it registered 5" for the first time that year and the excitement continues... During rainfall, whether a drizzle or a storm, I check my gauge obsessively, sometimes even in the middle of the night. This is of course the result of years of drought and fire danger, and also because in Northern California we get next to no rain from March or April to November. This year was a very welcome surprise!!!

Here is same rain gauge this year on Nov. 9th, now set up in a flower box near the street. It's seven years older and clouded over from years of exposure, but still very serviceable. During the atmospheric river event I watched the level climb to 5 " on Sunday,  then happily emptied it and  saw it climb again to 2 3/4 " throughout the next day. Our rain for this historic October storm totaled 7 3/4 ". Goodbye fire danger! Bill Martin, my favorite TV meteorologist, had been very encouraging even when we got our first few sputtering drizzles in mid October. He posited that at least the storm door was opening. 

How right he was! At least for now it's wide open.  Last week we got another third of an inch and Monday night's rain added an inch more. We already have record rainfall for this time of year and of course the totals are higher the farther north you go. We're praying for more. 

             A calm morning in Berkeley after the recent storm -  photographed from our kitchen window

During the rainy season I also like checking the National Weather Service's website HERE for their accurate forecasts and especially their link to RAINFALL TOTALS throughout the state, in 1 to 24 hour increments. I usually check San Francisco, Marin County towns (which average a lot) and nearby East Bay cities. They refresh their statistics every few hours so I can observe obsessively during a storm.  Since it's a national service, I assume this applies to the rest of the country.

They need to change this sign

Our nearby Berkeley firehouse at the top of Shasta Road has a sign that registers fire danger throughout the year. The danger ranges form LOW  to  EXTREME,  and for some reason it's remained on HIGH even after the record breaking October deluge. Puddles now abound and every surface is soaked. We've been assured that fire season is over. Do they know something we don't ??