2011-12 rain year ends with dryer than usual conditions in Menlo Park

During the 2011-12 rain year (July 1 to June 30), 11.95″ fell in my Menlo Park back yard. That compares to 7.09″ in San Jose and 13.33″ at SFO, according to published reports. (Menlo is usually between the two.)

Looking backward, 20.08″ fell in 2011, 21.39″ in 2010 and 14.85″ in 2009. My records go back to 8.2″ in 2007, below this year’s 11.95″. But here’s a twist: My friend Marcia who lives in far west Menlo at a high point in Sharon Heights collected 19.4″ this year. Just another example of micro-climates!

Photo of  InMenlo rainfall watcher Bill Russ by Chris Gulker (2010)