1/15/23

Wow, 

January 15th, 2023, and we are already at around 120% of average rainfall for the year, yes, I said the year. The more amazing part Is February is normally our wettest month and January is only half over. I have not counted the number of inches of rain that we have received in the first half of January, but I am willing to bet the farm it is an all-time record. 

Yesterday another 2 to 3 inches of rain fell for all. It was dumping once again, but at least only a 6-hour period. I remember the days when a 1-to-2-inch rain was a big deal, but not this year. It is a mild event. We must weather one more system tonight and Monday morning then we all get a break from the rain. 

I remember way back in the day when I moved to California in the early 80s and people told me they traveled to the Pacific Northwest to see rain. Well, that’s not the case this year, it came to us. I don’t know about you, but I am sick of it, and I need a break.

Today we will have a cloudy day with some sun peaks, don’t forget your sweatshirt because highs will only be in the 50s. A few showers on north-facing mountains, but dry for us. The next system is hot on the heels of yesterday's. As a matter of fact, it is moving in quicker than thought. It looks like rain will start up in SLO later this afternoon and arrive here in SB tonight.

https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/scripts/getlocal.php?prod=LAXRRMSBA

This is a colder system with less rain. Snow levels will still be high at 5500 feet till Monday night. Then lower to 3500 to 4000 feet. The storm system will have passed by us before the level really drop.

Tonight rain starts up. Look for another 1-inch coastal and 1 to 2 inches in the mountains. As of late south-facing mountains like Montecito and Santa Barbara will see the most rain. Showers Monday with rain ending Monday afternoon.

Tuesday, amen we start a dry period with no rain for a week or so. This is great news because we all need a break. It will be quite cold however with temps remaining below normal for the week. We will creep up the Mercury a few degrees each day, but Tuesday will be quite cold with only low 50s for highs. Tuesday night is chilly with frost in lots of areas. We will not detail day by day next week at this point because I have typed too much of late.

We will call it dry, chilly, but rain free. More to come later.

Lake Cachuma is at 86.5 % still, because they have been releasing water since Saturday. When they do stop it will fill, but not until we are in the clear of rain. It has been 12 years since Cachuma has topped, and in 2023 the lake filled from its lowest level at 30% 

That’s just amazing, enjoy your somewhat dry Sunday. More rain tonight.

Jack Martin