After a wet week, Ventura County rainfall totals stay below normal
Storms dampened Ventura County last week, but rainfall continues to fall below normal.
Over the past five days, totals ranged from a half-inch of rainfall recorded in Camarillo to more than 2 1/2 inches near the Casitas Dam in the Ojai Valley, according to preliminary figures from the Ventura County Watershed Protection District.
Most local cities have recorded from a little over an inch to nearly 3 inches of rain so far this water year, which runs from October through September. That's around half to three-fourths of normal rainfall and comes on top of a string of dry years.
“We’re still looking at a significant drought,” said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. “Temporarily, we have a little bit of a respite from the high fire risk. But we definitely need more rain.”
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Recent wet weather boosted moisture levels in vegetation throughout the county, according to the Ventura County Fire Department's latest samples from Nov. 30. Every two weeks, the department measures the moisture levels, which experts say are a good predictor of fire danger.
For now, Ventura County has yet to shake its “extreme” drought designation.
The U.S. Drought Monitor has classified 85% of California in severe to extreme drought. Since May, the maps show much of the county as extreme, one of two most severe designations.
Last December was one of the area's wettest but was followed by a record dry period for January through March. The county’s 2021-22 water year ended with meager rainfall totals — ranging from 60 to 90% of normal. A year earlier, the county recorded one of its driest on record.
A chance of rain is on the way later this week, but not much, Sweet said. The forecast shows a 20% chance of showers Tuesday afternoon and evening, he said. Areas that get rain likely would see less than a tenth of an inch.
An earlier forecast showed another storm may reach the county on Friday. But the latest models show it may stay north of the region, Sweet said.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a La Niña advisory, meaning odds are Southern California could face yet another below-normal rain year. The cooler waters at the equator typically mean drier conditions for the region.
If that happens, it would mark the third consecutive year of La Niña conditions — a triple-dip that has only happened twice before since the 1950s.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County rainfall totals below normal despite wet week
