Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Where Did California's Atmospheric Rivers Go?
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
April 10, 2020

Share

Perhaps nothing else better explains the fickleness of the Valley’s weather since last fall than the dearth of atmospheric rivers finding their way to California.

“Drought conditions developed in California because of the lack of strong atmospheric river events. In the same period of time a year ago there were 41 atmospheric river events, 11 of which were strong to extreme.” — The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel reports that of 40 atmospheric rivers hitting the West Coast from October to March, just seven were rated “strong” and only one made it to the Golden State.

Where did the strong atmospheric rivers land?

Six of the seven hit Washington, and the state climatologist says, “Major water shortages aren’t anticipated for summer at this time due to the healthy snowpack.”

That isn’t the case for California, however.

“Drought conditions developed in California because of the lack of strong atmospheric river events,” The Weather Channel said. “In the same period of time a year ago there were 41 atmospheric river events, 11 of which were strong to extreme.”

However, the arrival of wet weather in March and this week’s slow-moving storm has boosted the formerly barren statewide snowpack to 64% of its historical average.

 

 

 

NOAA graphic explaining atmospheric rivers

 

Storm Exits Fresno

The storm delivered about a quarter of an inch of rain on Fresno on Thursday and .75 of an inch near Wishon Reservoir, the National Weather Service in Hanford reported.

Fresno’s April rainfall stands at 1.48 inches as the storm exits. For the year, Fresno has received 7.64 inches of rain.

US Drought Monitor Update

The U.S. Drought Monitor’s update Thursday, reflecting data as of April 7, shows the effects of the spring storms on California.

The overall area classified as “abnormally dry” or in “moderate drought” dropped from about 75% of the state to just under 68%.

The designation of abnormal dryness was removed from many areas along the coast from Monterey County south to San Diego County.

The total area considered to be in the first stages of drought held steady at about 43% of the state.

Dry Weather for Valley Floor, Thunderstorm Possible in Mountains

The NWS-Hanford forecast calls for light precipitation in the mountains and desert of Kern County on Friday.

Dry weather will return to the central and southern San Joaquin Valley on Saturday. But there is a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms to the Sierra on Sunday and Monday, according to the forecast. And, while dry weather is expected across the region on the Valley floor for the remainder of the week, isolated showers are possible in the mountains on Thursday and Friday.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Life-Threatening Meals: Restaurants Would Identify Food Allergens for Diners Under This Proposed Law

DON'T MISS

Iran Threatens to Strike US Bases in Region if Military Conflict Arises

DON'T MISS

Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades

DON'T MISS

Fresno Measure C Transportation Tax Talks Continue Amid Renewal Uncertainty

DON'T MISS

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Detaining Mahmoud Khalil

DON'T MISS

Is a Waxed Apple ‘Ultra-Processed?’ CA Bill Could Trigger a Lawsuit Barrage

DON'T MISS

Edmunds: These Five Vehicles Are Hidden Automotive Gems

DON'T MISS

GM to Invest $4 Billion to Shift Some Production From Mexico to the US

DON'T MISS

How Your Air Conditioner Can Help the Power Grid, Rather Than Overloading It

DON'T MISS

Hundreds of Laid-off CDC Employees Are Being Reinstated

UP NEXT

Free Food, Haircuts, and Rapid HIV Testing Friday in Fresno

UP NEXT

Harvey Weinstein Convicted of Sex Crime Amid Contentious Jury Deliberations

UP NEXT

Water Scarcity Is Forcing Tough Decisions. This Legislation Can Keep Our Family Farm Afloat

UP NEXT

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

UP NEXT

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

UP NEXT

Trump Warns Protests at Army Parade Will Be Met With Force

UP NEXT

Do Americans Support Trump’s Use of Marines in LA? The Numbers Might Shock You

UP NEXT

Marines Will Deploy to LA for 60 Days, Costing Taxpayers $134 Million

UP NEXT

Madera County’s Windy Fire Grows to 12 Acres Near Mammoth Pool Reservoir

UP NEXT

Chowchilla Officer Arrested in Sanger on Kidnapping and Assault Charges

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Fresno County Wildfire Threatens Thousands of Acres. Evacuation Orders, Warnings Issued

7 hours ago

Fresno Fire’s Helmet Cam Catches Blaze Raging on House, Occupants Escape Safely

7 hours ago

Derek Carr Says Fresno Is Home, as City Honors Bulldog Great

7 hours ago

Fresno Councilmember Warns of Possible ICE Raid at Popular Outdoor Market

8 hours ago

Americans Split on Trump’s Use of Military in Immigration Protests, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

8 hours ago

Clovis Police Still Searching for Missing At-Risk Man

8 hours ago

Fresno Unified Spends Thousands to Reprint Diplomas With Misty Her’s New Title

9 hours ago

Another Dozen Migrants Are Transferred to Guantánamo

9 hours ago

Former California Corrections Sergeant Indicted on Child Porn Charges

9 hours ago

Israel Could Strike Iran as Soon as Sunday, WSJ Reports

9 hours ago

Trump Can Keep National Guard Deployed to Los Angeles for Now, Appeals Court Rules

(Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump to maintain his deployment of National Guard troops in Los...

3 hours ago

Law enforcement officers stand guard outside MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters/David Swanson)
3 hours ago

Trump Can Keep National Guard Deployed to Los Angeles for Now, Appeals Court Rules

Law enforcement officers guard Los Angeles City Hall during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 12, 2025. (Reuters/David Ryder)
5 hours ago

Judge Temporarily Bars Trump From Deploying National Guard Troops in Los Angeles

6 hours ago

Israel Attacks Iran’s Capital With Explosions Booming Across Tehran

The Firestone Incident near Highway 198 and Firestone Avenue in Coalinga has grown to 50 acres with a critical rate of spread, prompting evacuation orders for Zone P19, warnings for multiple surrounding zones, and a road closure, according to CalFire. (X/CalFire)
7 hours ago

Fresno County Wildfire Threatens Thousands of Acres. Evacuation Orders, Warnings Issued

A late-night fire heavily damaged a Fresno home on on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, but all six occupants escaped safely with no injuries. (Fresno FD)
7 hours ago

Fresno Fire’s Helmet Cam Catches Blaze Raging on House, Occupants Escape Safely

7 hours ago

Derek Carr Says Fresno Is Home, as City Honors Bulldog Great

8 hours ago

Fresno Councilmember Warns of Possible ICE Raid at Popular Outdoor Market

U.S. Marines stand with their packs and weapons, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in greater Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 9, 2025, in this screen grab taken from a handout video. (DVIDS/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo)
8 hours ago

Americans Split on Trump’s Use of Military in Immigration Protests, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend