Time is running out to keep this from being the rainy season that wasnât.
Napa County Airport as of Friday had 6.02 inches of rain since the rain year began on October 1. Though the airport bordering wetlands near San Pablo Bay is one of the countyâs drier locations, that is only 40% of normal for the season-to-date.
âThat is about as pitiful as you can get,â said Mike Pechner of Fairfield-based Golden West Meteorology.
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March is typically the last month of the rainy season for significant storms, the type that can get the creeks roaring and reservoirs filling.
Grape grower Steve Moulds can see what a paltry rain season this has been by looking at the small reservoir he uses to irrigate his vineyard along Dry Creek Road.
âUsually, the reservoir is filled by the end of December,â Moulds said on Wednesday morning. âAt this point itâs only about 10% to 15% full. This is the most concern Iâve ever had for it.â
A major question for Napa County winter weather watchers is when the heavens are once again going to open up and pour down rain.
To be certain, the county this rain season has seen an inch here and two-tenths of an inch there. But it hasnât seen huge storms, the types that make creeks roar and reservoirs fill by delivering several inches of rain in a few days.