Impressive Northern California Rainfall

This was the California monthly precipitation map as of yesterday, before the rain from this latest storm really started falling. Today's map will only emphasize the huge dichotomy between Northern and Southern California's water fate.

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento's rainfall so far this water year (July 1 - present) is about double the average, but it's far, far less farther south.  A huge rainfall disparity between the halves of the state has always existed, but so far this water year, it's much bigger than usual.  If it doesn't change, it will mean happiness in the north next year, and desperation in the south.

Caption from the Sacramento Bee (photo by Randy Pench): Wesley Jones holds a pumpkin which was partially clogging a storm drain in front of his house on 36th Street in east Sacramento. Several houses on the block had flooding under their homes, in their basements and in Jones' case, a flooded garage. Heavy rain early Sunday causes streets to flood in the area including east Sacramento where some residents worked to unplug clogged drains to keep their homes from flooding. Sunday, December 2, 2012.

According to his Facebook posts, J.E. got caught by this flooding too.

Myself, I got caught in the traffic jam on Highway 50 near the 59th Street exit while heading to Pam's ballet class this morning. I had started early, though, so I made it to class on time, even as Pam was delayed by both the marathon and the same traffic jam.  I had mild problems in my basement from the rains, but the clatter of the rain really disturbed my sleep and made for all sorts of disordered dreams about water and ruin.