“The rain began again. It fell heavily, easily, with no meaning or intention but the fulfillment of its own nature, which was to fall and fall.”
~ Helen Garner, Australian novelist

Crescenta Valley’s Halloween 2014 could be labeled “The Year of the Zombies” –  girl ones, boy ones, from baby to teenager roamed our street. The few princesses and pirates did not faze them. Dark and cloudy skies, with a few pre-storm intermittent sprinkles, did nothing to slow the mixed costumed crowd from achieving their common goal – getting candy. We were ready and waiting.
This particular night was full of expectation and excitement. I felt like Sally Brown (Charlie Brown’s little sister) “waiting all night for the Great Pumpkin to rise out of the pumpkin patch.” Instead, with rain gauge ready, I was waiting for our first major storm of the season to arrive. Trick-or-treaters arrived before the storm but just barely. On the Central Coast, umbrellas were a necessity according to my sister. With jack-o-lanterns dark, the first drops fell before midnight – .04 inches. By 1 a.m. the storm began in earnest. I listened to the steady rain and watched the gauge, thinking it was a good start for November. By morning, we measured .55 inches, the first real measurable amount for the season and more than predicted by the NWS, but not nearly enough to please me. Now what?
Looking beyond the week, there is no rain in the forecast. But I remain optimistic there will be a shift in the current pattern allowing the jet stream to move south and pull moisture into our area.
Mother Nature nurtures relationships. For example, an El Niño condition feeds moisture and energy into the upper atmosphere, which in turn can change the jet stream’s path. Climatologists overall are predicting a 65% chance of a weak El Niño developing during November-January-February and extending into spring.
Within days of the recent storm, temperatures once again are rising. The forecast calls for daytime highs in the low 90s with nights dropping into the 50s. As final touches are added to Weather in the Foothills, I am watching a showering of pine needles land in the pool. Thanks to the Santa Ana winds, our roof is swept clean.
As for the pool … oh well.

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

  Sue Kilpatrick