The Drought is Over

I sort of figured that would be the case after this week:

Federal forecasters have yet to formally call an end to Orange County’s seasonal drought. But rainfall totals from this week’s wild Pacific storms show that it is over. An official announcement is expected next Thursday, when the government issues its weekly drought update.

The four storms — carried to Orange County by a dip in the jet stream — doubled seasonal rainfall in some areas. And isolated showers today could raise the figures a bit more. The county had showers and hail before dawn today.

Fullerton Airport has recorded 8.88” of precipitation since the rainy season began on July 1. That’s 4.86” above average, says the National Weather Service. And most of the 5.68” of rain the airport has received this month fell during this week’s series of storms, which were carried here by a southward dip in the jet stream.

A similar tale has unfolded at John Wayne Airport, which is roughly in the middle of the county, making it a good benchmark for the region. The airport has recorded 7.62” of rain since July 1, which is 1.95” above average. And most of the 4.89” that’s fallen this month also came during this week’s storms.

I guess we'll have to come up with a new crisis for the politicians to fret over.