rains breaking Socal drought

Current storm is putting a dent in the two-year Southern California drought. Mojave and Sonora Deserts have yet to receive much but the next few days appear rather promising since the current cold cutoff low scenario is very similar to what occurred February 2005. Further to the west remote weather gauges near Shell Creek (2.28"), Carrizo Plains (1.38"), and Antelope Valley (3.02") have all done well which bodes well for spring wildflowers. Oc course the Grapevine has been hit by alot of snow so Gorman may reappear too. Central Coast has really been hammered which may bring out green along the coast including montana de oro.
-dave

Awesome news Dave! I would really like to go back to Carrizo and Shell...might have to plan some outings.

I've got my fingers crossed right now for the spring. Carrizo and Shell Creek are always places I love to plan trips to when the wildflowers get going - last spring these areas were incredibly bad. Also hoping for some flower blooms here in the open space preserves in the bay area.

Just as I've expected this pattern just whacked our southern desert areas with the first good rains in a couple winters. Palm Springs and Borrego Springs as in the south entrance of Joshua Tree NP and Anza-Borrego SP both have received more than an inch and more is on the way. Carrizo, Antelope Valley have also added more than an inch. Not close to the huge storms of 2005 but certainly well above seasonal normals. I'll wait till the storm passes to tally it up. I'm telling you people, make your plans because those flowers are going start coming out of sand and gravel in a few weeks in the Sonora Desert areas then about 4 to 8 weeks from now it ought to be pretty decent. ...David

I am preparing to leave for Kaua'i on Thursday [Which looks pretty rainy there too!! Guess there is no chance of getting out of this rain] but I am really looking forward to when Borrego Springs is just popping!