2012-13 rainfall year is an unusual one in Menlo Park

Today ends the 2012-13 rainfall year, which began on July 1, 2012. The total number of inches of rain recorded in my backyard is 16.5″. That compares to 11.95″ in the 2011-2012 year and 20.8″ in the 2010-11 year.

What was surprising about the 16.5″ was that 14.65″ fell prior to January 1st and only 1.85″ the six months since. We have to hope much  of the early fall was captured by the high elevation snowpacks and reservoirs.

My 16.5″ does compare favorably to the San Jose count of 9.43″ and 12.89″ for the S.F. Airport. I am usually between the two measurements. Once again variability proves to be the rule in Bay Area microclimates.

We are in the new season tomorrow, and my hopes will be for 20″ plus in this season to come. I know I have have missed providing reports to InMenlo the last six months!

InMenlo rainfall recorder Bill Russ has called Menlo home since 1952. He and his wife Sally have lived in their current West Menlo house, where the rainfall gauge is located, for  over 45 years. Photo taken by Chris Gulker 2010,