For the second time in just a month and a half, the U.S. Southwest is reeling from the effects of a downpour-generating storm. Flood watches and warnings are out in perennially dry cities including Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas. There, more rain may fall by late Saturday than usually comes down in two Februaries combined. Southern Californians are being warned of mud slides through Saturday.
With heavy rains falling late Friday, Opids Camp, in the mountains near Los Angeles, had recorded 4.55” of rain while Beverly Hills received 2.05”. The rain story over the past four months in Los Angeles has been stunning with 24.54” down since Oct. 1—nearly three times normal! The same period a year ago recorded just 3.89”. Friday’s 1.67” within the city limits set a new record for Feb. 11.
Chicago has had an incredible run of mild temps. Friday marked the 14th consecutive day of above normal readings—the longest such stretch since late October.
-Tom Skilling
