DesertWeather.com blog

Interesting Dust Event

John — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 03:42:19 +0000

This evening we had a dust storm roll in from the South from a complex of thunderstorm just south of the border. These large thunderstorms, as they matured and collapsed, produced an outflow of wind and moisture that traveled north up through the imperial valley and eventually reaching the Coachella Valley around 6pm.

Note the graph below. You can see before 6pm that moisture levels were high and the winds were out of the Southeast. Then the Northwest winds increased around 6:00, as they typically do along the I-10 corridor, and the air began to dry out. But as the dust and moisture flow overtook the Northwest winds about 6:30 the moisture levels jump again and the winds reverted from the Southeast. Finally the dust storm lost its fight and the stronger, drier Northwest winds prevailed pushing the dust back south and clearing the air in the valley.

Moisture level have dropped considerably and should stay that way as we head into the weekend with dry, cool conditions.

Moisture Increase

John — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:50:36 +0000

Graph showing major increase in dew point levels this morning.

Satellite Water Vapor image showing moisture flow from Southeast:

John — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:49:29 +0000

August Off to a Cool Start

John — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:08:39 +0000

“June Gloom” in August for the coast, cool temperatures at the coast, and as much as 9 degrees below seasonal average for the Coachella Valley. All caused by multiple troughs that have come and gone off the coast of California for more than a week. These troughs are not too common this time of the year, and has brought Southern California some unusual cool temperatures. This has also been the cause for the non-existent thunderstorms in and around the Coachella Valley that we typically see in August. These troughs bring a drier, southwest wind over Southern California that shut off Monsoon moisture to the east. This pattern will remain for the next several days.

Many records were set or tied along the coast this past week. Some official Records set in the past week (source: NWS, San Diego):

 ...LOWEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 1...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 EL CAJON               57           58 IN 1999         SINCE 1979

 ...LOWEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 1...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 LAGUNA BEACH           71           72 IN 1962         SINCE 1928

 ...LOWEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 4...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 LAGUNA BEACH           70    TIED   70 IN 1965         SINCE 1928
 OCEANSIDE HARBOR       65           66 IN 1991         SINCE 195
 ...LOWEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 5...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 LAGUNA BEACH           70           71 IN 1944         SINCE 1928
 LA MESA                75    TIED   75 IN 1999         SINCE 1948
 NEWPORT BEACH          67    TIED   67 IN 1995         SINCE 1934
 OCEANSIDE HARBOR       66    TIED   66 IN 1991         SINCE 1953
 ...LOWEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 6...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 EL CAJON               78    TIED   78 IN 1999         SINCE 1979
 LAGUNA BEACH           70    TIED   70 IN 1944         SINCE 1928
 LA MESA                75    TIED   75 IN 1999         SINCE 1948
 NEWPORT BEACH          67    TIED   67 IN 2002         SINCE 1934
 OCEANSIDE HARBOR       66           68 IN 1999         SINCE 1953
 VISTA                  76    TIED   76 IN 1973         SINCE 1957
 YORBA LINDA            81           83 IN 1973         SINCE 1948
 ...LOWEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 7...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 LAGUNA BEACH           70   TIED    70 IN 1965         SINCE 1928
 NEWPORT BEACH          67   TIED    67 IN 1991         SINCE 1929
 OCEANSIDE HARBOR       65           67 IN 1991         SINCE 1943
 ...LOWEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 8...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 CAMPO COOP             37   TIED    37 IN 1976         SINCE 1948

 ...LOWEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON AUGUST 8...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD
 NEWPORT BEACH          67   TIED    67 IN 1991         SINCE 1929
 OCEANSIDE HARBOR       67   TIED    67 IN 1998         SINCE 1943
 VISTA                  74           76 IN 1974         SINCE 1962

Humidity numbers finally on the decrease this evening. Graph, (blue line = moisture level)

John — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:31:33 +0000

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Very Cool Day, Records Set

John — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:46:39 +0000

RECORD REPORT

 SXUS76 KSGX 230112
 RERSGX

 RECORD EVENT REPORT
 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
 615 PM PDT THU APR 22 2010

 ...LOWEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON APRIL 22...

 LOCATION           NEW RECORD       OLD RECORD      PERIOD OF RECORD

 BIG BEAR LAKE          33           35 IN 1967         SINCE 1960
 CAMPO                  49           51 IN 1957         SINCE 1948
 ALPINE                 50           56 IN 1957         SINCE 1952
 RAMONA                 52           58 IN 2003         SINCE 1974
 NEWPORT BEACH          57           58 IN 2001         SINCE 1934
 LAGUNA BEACH           59           60 IN 1967         SINCE 1928
 SAN PASQUAL            59           62 IN 2003         SINCE 1979
 BORREGO                62           64 IN 1970         SINCE 1948
 PALM SPRINGS           65           69 IN 1967         SINCE 1927
 THERMAL                67           72 IN 1980         SINCE 1950

Progress made in Southwest Drought Conditions

John — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:41:02 +0000

To update everyone with the drought condition improvements we have seen in the Southwest due to the impressive rains last week, lets take a quick look at a few maps to show that progress…..

The first map is that of conditions as of January 12th, 2009. You can clearly see that most of California and Arizona were in a state of moderate to severe droughts conditions. Note also Northeast Arizona having “Extreme” conditions.

source: National Drought Mitigation Center

Then came the drop in the jet stream that brought storm after storm aimed directly at the Southwest. With Southern California and Northern Arizona receiving the brunt of the “Storm Train” on the week of January 17th, it was welcomed for drought relief! For drought relief you typically would like to see rain over a longer period as we did, but it helped.

Impressive precipitation percent of normal rain recorded form 1/13 to 1/26… (Click image for larger/clearer view)

source: Western Regional Climate Center

As of a results here’s the latest map showing a significant improvement in drought conditions, especially in California!

source: National Drought Mitigation Center

Looking ahead, El Nino is currently at a “moderate” level and as we typically see in El Nino years, a wet winter and into early spring is expected. Some resources show that we may see another storm window open up around the second week of February for some additional drought relief.

Updated: Regional 7 Day Rain Totals

John — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:57:47 +0000

The National Weather Service has revised and added a few additional cities to the rain total of last week storms, some amazing totals…

MISCELLANEOUS HYDROLOGIC DATA

 SGUS46 KSGX 240409 CCD
 RRMSGX

 RAINFALL STORM TOTAL SUMMARY...PRELIMINARY
 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
 600 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

 **** UPDATED ****
   ** NEW CITIES ADDED 

 7 DAY STORM RAINFALL TOTALS FOR THE PERIOD
 BEGINNING:  1000 AM PST SUN JAN 17 2010
 ENDING:      500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

 CAZ043-241200-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-
 500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

             ENCINITAS  5.51
                 VISTA  5.43 **
              LA JOLLA  5.13 **
      MONTGOMERY FIELD  5.11
          MIRAMAR MCAS  4.72
               CARDIFF  4.70 **
      CARLSBAD AIRPORT  4.34
     OCEANSIDE AIRPORT  4.29
         PACIFIC BEACH  4.14
           CHULA VISTA  3.72
           BROWN FIELD  3.49
       LINDBERGH FIELD  3.30


 CAZ050-241200-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY VALLEYS-
 500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

          PAUMA VALLEY  7.57 **
            MT WOODSON  7.28
               POTRERO  6.77
                RAMONA  6.48
         VALLEY CENTER  6.43
       RANCHO BERNARDO  6.35
                ALPINE  5.86
            SAN MARCOS  5.74 **
                 POWAY  5.58 **
             FALLBROOK  5.09
              EL CAJON  4.87 **
             ESCONDIDO  4.83 **
               LA MESA  3.83
          SANTEE LAKES  3.75


 CAZ058-241200-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
 1030 AM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

        WARNER SPRINGS 11.56
        OAK GROVE RAWS 10.13
        MT LAGUNA RAWS  9.95+ (FROZEN) ~15 INCHES OF SNOW
 PALOMAR MOUNTAIN RAWS  8.90+ (FROZEN)
           JULIAN RAWS  8.57+ (FROZEN) ~ 2 INCHES OF SNOW
         DESCANSO RAWS  8.33
          SANTA YSABEL  7.60
         RANCHITA RAWS  6.10+ (FROZEN)
                 CAMPO  5.40


 CAZ062-241200-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY DESERTS-
 1030 AM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

        BORREGO DESERT  4.89


 CAZ042-241200-
 ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-
 500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

             SILVERADO  8.00 **
             PLACENTIA  6.77 **
     FULLERTON AIRPORT  6.50
    JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT  6.03
               ANAHEIM  5.92
             SANTA ANA  5.36 **
         MISSION VIEJO  5.29
         NEWPORT BEACH  4.94 **
                ORANGE  4.94 **
          LAGUNA BEACH  4.77 **
      HUNTINGTON BEACH  4.43


 CAZ057-241200-
 SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS-
 1030 AM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

    SANTA ROSA PLATEAU  8.47
   FREMONT CANYON RAWS  5.02


 CAZ049-241200-
 SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-
 500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

           DEVORE RAWS  9.76
 CAL ST SAN BERNARDINO  7.44
             MONTCLAIR  7.13 **
                UPLAND  6.76 **
               YUCAIPA  6.85
     HEMET VALLE VISTA  6.52
              BEAUMONT  6.41
              MURIETTA  6.32
       ONTARIO AIRPORT  6.05
        CORONA AIRPORT  6.00
              TEMECULA  5.72
              WILDOMAR  5.69
 RIVERSIDE - MARCH ARB  5.55
     RIVERSIDE AIRPORT  5.38


 CAZ056-241200-
 RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
 1030 AM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

     PINYON PINES RAWS  7.32+ (FROZEN)
             ANZA RAWS  6.73+ (FROZEN)
           POPPET FLAT  6.55
             IDYLLWILD  4.85  12 INCHES OF SNOW
        MT SAN JACINTO     M ~60 INCHES OF SNOW 


 CAZ055-241200-
 SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
 500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

      LYTLE CREEK RAWS 14.49
             CRESTLINE 12.52  13 INCHES OF SNOW **
             ROCK CAMP  8.83+ (FROZEN)
           MORMON ROCK  8.67
         BIG BEAR AREA     M  (FROZEN) 57-66 INCHES OF SNOW
            WRIGHTWOOD     M  (FROZEN) 38+ INCHES OF SNOW
        LAKE ARROWHEAD     M  (FROZEN) 28+ INCHES OF SNOW


 CAZ061-241200-
 COACHELLA VALLEY-
 500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

  PALM SPRINGS AIRPORT  4.51
        THOUSAND PALMS  4.05
         RANCHO MIRAGE  3.89 **
       THERMAL AIRPORT  2.50 


 CAZ060-241200-
 APPLE AND LUCERNE VALLEYS-
 500 PM PST SAT JAN 23 2010

              HESPERIA  7.70
           JOSHUA TREE  5.92 **
           VICTORVILLE  5.16
          APPLE VALLEY  3.41
       MEANS LAKE RAWS  3.13
        EL MIRAGE RAWS  2.31


 WARNING! THIS REPORT CONTAINS PROVISIONAL DATA FROM AUTOMATED GAUGES.
 THIS DATA HAS NOT BEEN SCREENED OR VERIFIED FOR ACCURACY

 SCV/EMI

48 Hour Satallite Loop of California Storm

John — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:54:32 +0000

Here’s a nice look at what the last 2 days looked like from above. Notice all the moisture flooding into Southern California.

NASA Goes Satellite Loop

(may take a few moments to load)

Impressive Rain Totals So Far

John — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:58:41 +0000

As of 10:50 am 5 day rain totals released by the National Weather Service (SD) are impressive!

MISCELLANEOUS HYDROLOGIC DATA

 SGUS46 KSGX 211914
 RRMSGX

 RAINFALL STORM TOTAL SUMMARY...PRELIMINARY
 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

 12 HOUR RAINFALL TOTALS FOR THE PERIOD     5 DAY TOTALS
 BEGINNING:   1000 PM PST WED JAN 20 2010   10 AM SUNDAY JAN 17
 ENDING:      1000 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010   10 AM THURSDAY JAN 21

 CAZ043-220800-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

     OCEANSIDE AIRPORT  0.35                3.06
      CARLSBAD AIRPORT  0.75                2.79
                 VISTA  0.49                2.51
               CARDIFF  0.54                2.40
          MIRAMAR MCAS  0.48                3.69
      MONTGOMERY FIELD  0.53                3.65
       LINDBERGH FIELD  0.51                2.47
         NATIONAL CITY  0.57                2.18
           CHULA VISTA  0.65                2.44
           BROWN FIELD  0.60                1.98


 CAZ050-220800-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY VALLEYS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

             FALLBROOK  0.39                3.56
         VALLEY CENTER  1.10                3.95
             ESCONDIDO  1.14                3.90
       RANCHO BERNARDO  0.69                4.01
                 POWAY  0.59                3.12
               LA MESA  0.57                2.89
          SANTEE LAKES  0.95                2.70
                ALPINE  0.79                3.36


 CAZ058-220800-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

 PALOMAR MOUNTAIN RAWS  2.73                6.44
         RANCHITA RAWS  1.38                4.01
          SANTA YSABEL  1.30                4.89
           JULIAN RAWS  1.34                5.26
        MT LAGUNA RAWS  1.53                4.61
         DESCANSO RAWS  1.13                4.32
                 CAMPO  1.12                3.28
        TIERRA DEL SOL  1.02                2.65


 CAZ062-220800-
 SAN DIEGO COUNTY DESERTS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

       BORREGO SPRINGS  0.80                2.55
        OCOTILLO WELLS  0.15                1.03


 CAZ042-220800-
 ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

     FULLERTON AIRPORT  0.25                4.00
               ANAHEIM  0.20                3.64
      HUNTINGTON BEACH  0.24                3.25
    JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT  0.32                4.15
        CORONA DEL MAR  0.43                3.46
          COTO DE CAZA  0.35                4.25
   SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO  0.20                2.92


 CAZ057-220800-
 SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

   UPPER SILVERADO CYN  0.32                5.36
        EL CARISO RAWS  0.55                3.86
    SANTA ROSA PLATEAU  0.58                5.41


 CAZ049-220800-
 SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

           DEVORE RAWS  0.48                5.46
 CAL ST SAN BERNARDINO  0.47                4.25
       ONTARIO AIRPORT  0.37                3.83
           CHINO HILLS  0.31                5.24
               YUCAIPA  0.51                3.54
        CORONA AIRPORT  0.28                3.33
     RIVERSIDE AIRPORT  0.33                2.91
 RIVERSIDE - MARCH ARB  0.42                3.10
              BEAUMONT  0.75                2.90
     HEMET VALLE VISTA  0.41                2.14
              WILDOMAR  0.64                3.59
              MURIETTA  0.55                3.93
              TEMECULA  0.88                3.53


 CAZ056-220800-
 RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

        NORTH BEAUMONT  0.52                3.31
         KEENWILD RAWS  1.21                3.85
         GARNER VALLEY  0.94                2.86
             ANZA RAWS  1.17                4.10
     PINYON PINES RAWS  1.16                4.44


 CAZ055-220800-
 SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

            WRIGHTWOOD  0.43                5.98 ~12 INCHES SNOW
      LYTLE CREEK RAWS  0.65                9.12
           MORMON ROCK  0.98                5.96
            TWIN PEAKS  0.92                5.10
             ROCK CAMP  0.88                5.84
         BIG BEAR CITY     M (FROZEN) ~6 INCH SNOW


 CAZ061-220800-
 COACHELLA VALLEY-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

  PALM SPRINGS AIRPORT  0.81                3.15
        THOUSAND PALMS  0.63                1.93
       THERMAL AIRPORT  0.61                1.79 


 CAZ060-220800-
 APPLE AND LUCERNE VALLEYS-
 1050 AM PST THU JAN 21 2010

              HESPERIA  0.50                4.42
          APPLE VALLEY  0.20                2.10
        EL MIRAGE RAWS  0.12                1.64
       MEANS LAKE RAWS  0.68                1.98


 WARNING! THIS REPORT CONTAINS PROVISIONAL DATA FROM AUTOMATED GAUGES.
 THIS DATA HAS NOT BEEN SCREENED OR VERIFIED FOR ACCURACY

 MM