“It ain’t going to rain no more, no more, it ain’t gonna rain no more.”
~ Original words, composer unknown

Is it going to rain more during the 2017-18 Rain Season? Typically in Southern California the season’s first rain showers fall in October and November. Although sporadic and light to start off, by December the rain gauge is being put to task. Inch after inch it collects as good water-producing storms move through on a more regular basis. December through early May, on average, is the rainiest time of year; February reigns as the “wettest month.” Come March, the rains begin to taper off with summer as their stop sign.

When all is said and done, the Crescenta Valley gauge should read, on average, around 24 inches. We have a lot of catching up to do; thus far, it reads a meager 3.39 inches. A persistent area of high pressure continues to block the storms that ordinarily at this time of year move down out of the Gulf of Alaska. No wonder the old tune of “It Ain’t Going to Rain No More” keeps playing through my mind.

As with the chance of measurable rain falling in the Southwest U.S., the origin of the old tune and its lyrics are up in the air or unknown. Bored with the ongoing dry weather, I began digging for history on the above music. A few substantiated facts and lots of speculation were found.

Best known as a camp song, with verse after verse of silly predicaments, there is more … According to credited documentation, it originated as an African-American song going back to the dark days of slavery. Another source, a questionable one, claims the tune was one of cowboys singing along the trail during cattle drives in the West. The song’s lyrics and usage changed over the years. In 1923, it was recorded by Wendell Hall as “It Ain’t Going To Rain No Mo’.”

Fair skies and the warmer-than-average temperatures are expected to carry forward into next week. The winds will continue to blow out of the NE although gentler than last week’s Santa Anas. Stated by the National Weather Service in a more poetic form, they will be “puffs of canyon winds.” Drifting high clouds are expected along with these so-called “puffs.”

It “ain’t gonna rain” in the next few weeks, but with guaranteed certainty stunning weather will reign.

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