From Christopher Robin’s Conversation with Eeyore:

“It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily.

“So it is.”

“And freezing.”

“Is it?”

“Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.”

~ A.A. Milne

Good news! The snowpack across California is at about 111% of normal for this time of year, thanks to an atmospheric river that brought heavy snowstorms to the Western and Eastern Sierra, according to the state Dept. of Water Resources’ most recent data. This same weather condition brought substantial rain to us in the south.

Better yet, the season brings promise of more snowfall at the higher elevations of the Sierra. Throughout the rest of California, rainfall totals continue to climb as the snowpack deepens. As often is the case, winter weather can either be met with relief or hardship.

Currently, a deep freeze has a firm grip on much of the Midwest. A record-shattering arctic blast continues to spread sending the bitter cold air into the east and south. The northern Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes will remain the center of the coldest weather. A temperature of 77 degrees below zero Fahrenheit was reported in Thief River Falls, Minnesota on Tuesday evening. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in parts of the Midwest were lower on Wednesday than in Antarctica where the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station hit negative 25 degrees ¬– balmy compared to negative 31 degrees in Fargo, North Dakota.

The Sierra snowpack is one of California’s most vital water sources; the springtime melt fills the rivers and reservoirs. Thus far rainwater has accomplished this. According to Chris Orrick, a spokesperson for the California Dept. of Water Resources (DWR), “Our reservoirs are doing well … A lot are at or near historic levels. The rain brought good storage not just for Northern and central California, but also for Southern California.” Orrick added, “Reservoirs like Castaic [Los Angeles County] is at 77% of total capacity and 94% of historical average. Lake Cachuma [Santa Barbara County], which you could walk across two years ago because it was so low, is now so full they’re actually using their spillway.”

Storms seemingly hit in sync with the arrival of the CV Weekly – Thursday morning! Here we go again … Beginning this morning, a series of storms is expected. The strongest of these will be on Saturday when there is potential for 5.00 inches of rain along the south facing foothills (that’s us). These conditions are with us through the start of next week.

Not knowing where “The Hundred Acre Wood” (Eeyore’s home) is located, I can’t really comment on its weather.

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley resident and  Official Skywarn Spotter for the  National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.