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.
With rain totals Saturday night and Sunday of a half-inch or more in many parts of the Bay Area, and much more than that in the coastal mountain areas, the area got a good soaking, and with little risk of mudslides in areas burned by wildfires a few short months ago.
âIf we were to request rainfall, this was the best way to get it, slow and steady over an extended period of time,â said National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Mehle.
And more rain is forecast for the Bay Area as early as Tuesday night, and very likely by Wednesday morning, Mehle said.