Spring weather’s in bloom, with some rain on the way — but not much, says Weather Service
.JPG "Trees and flowers bloom across Merced as spring sets in, on Feb. 26, 2020, in Merced, California.")
The winter months of February and early March have felt more like spring in Merced, with clear skies, warm temperatures and rows of almond trees in bloom.
The cloudy skies brought a slight amount of rain Saturday to Merced — .05 inches, just enough to “wet the ground,” according to Carlos Molina, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Hanford.
Merced County residents can expect clear skies Monday, with a slight warming trend bringing temperatures up to around 70. However, Tuesday could bring clouds and the possibility of rain starting around the middle of the day.
Molina said forecasters are expecting about a third of an inch of rain between Tuesday and Wednesday, with more clear skies predicted for the middle of the week, and daytime temperatures in the 70s.
A storm is expected next Saturday or Sunday, bringing around the same trace amount of rain Merced saw March 7.
Residents shouldn’t expect a “March miracle” to launch Central California out of its D1 (moderate drought) status.
Between late February and early March last year, Merced saw 3.33 inches of rain. In comparison, during that same period this year, Merced has only seen .60 inches of rain.
“If we were to actually see a March miracle, we would see 1, 2 or maybe up to 3 inches of rain during the month,” Molina said.
A D1 drought classification means dry land pasture growth is stunted, landscaping and gardens need earlier irrigation earlier, stock ponds and creeks are lower than usual and wildlife patterns change, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Mollina said that while significant precipitation could launch the Valley out of moderate drought, the quantities expected mean the drought status is likely here to stay for some time.
While Fresno and Bakersfield hit a record dry February, Merced was slightly better off with trace amounts of rain throughout the month. Lack of precipitation didn’t quite reach lows as dismal as the bone-dry February in the 1970s that saw no rain at all, Molina said.
Still, with no significant rain since the .44 inches received Jan. 16, the ground in Merced will be in need of whatever level precipitation it can get.
This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
