“Where’s the rain?

It should be raining

Where’s the thunder and lightning?

Something just a bit more frightening.

But why is there clear blue sky?

Where’s the rain?

Come on, rain, rain, rain…”

Jocelyn and Chris Arndt,
New York siblings and blues-rock music artists

Where is the rain anyway? I’m waiting … It’s now November and soon-to-be Thanksgiving Day; nary a drop of measurable rain has fallen on the Crescenta Valley. Not surprisingly, autumn’s weather is record setting with its ongoing high temperature, low humidity and off-shore winds. Has the drought returned?

Blame the jet stream’s position for the lack of rain so far. One look at a weather map tells the story. A persistent dome of high pressure hovering over northern California, Oregon and southern Washington is deflecting the jet stream well north of California.

To back up, jet streams are like rivers of wind high above in the atmosphere. These slim strips of strong winds have a huge influence on climate as they can push air masses around and affect weather patterns. As the jet stream goes, so goes the storm and all of its rain and mountain snow.

With the high pressure come the clear skies and warm days in our “neck of the woods.” As the jet stream is pushed higher in the western U.S., it drops lower in areas east of the Rockies. Presently the weather news indicates a plunge in the jet stream, which allows frigid air to blast southward into the U.S. Spreading from the Great Plains to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, it’s expected to linger through the week. Brrr…

As far as the drought goes, it is a climactic condition and is here to stay. It should come as no surprise as we live in a region often referred to as the Desert Southwest. Last year was a rainy one, this year is not shaping up to be one.

Both the temperature and fire danger are once again on the rise for the weekend. Then comes a cool off with a slight possibility of light rain by Wednesday. Meteorologists are uncertain of the intensity. So, as of now, the weather remains “up in the air!”

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

  Sue Kilpatrick