A dreary forecast shows thunderstorms, freezing temperatures,
hail and brief
– yet heavy – downpours moving through the Bay Area this
week.
About 0.6 inches fell on South County this weekend, bringing the
yearly rainfall
– measured from July 1 – to 2.72 inches, and rain is expected
through the week. Still, the region has only seen about 50 percent
of the average rainfall so far this season. Just over 5.01 inches
is typical by this time of year and 20.49 inches is typical for an
average year.
Gilroy
A dreary forecast shows thunderstorms, freezing temperatures, hail and brief – yet heavy – downpours moving through the Bay Area this week.
About 0.6 inches fell on South County this weekend, bringing the yearly rainfall – measured from July 1 – to 2.72 inches, and rain is expected through the week. Still, the region has only seen about 50 percent of the average rainfall so far this season. Just over 5.01 inches is typical by this time of year and 20.49 inches is typical for an average year.
There is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday, some of which could produce small hail, according to weather reports. Tuesday night, temperatures are expected to be near freezing.
Wednesday has sunny skies forecasted and highs near 46 degrees, followed by a freezing night. A series of cloudy, chilly days with highs in the low 50s and a chance of showers will round out the week.
Though snow isn’t expected in Gilroy, meteorologists expect snow to fall down to 2,600 feet on San Jose’s Mount Hamilton. They predict a 40 percent chance of snow tonight before 10 p.m. Just west of Gilroy, forecasters predict snow levels down to 1,600 feet with little or no chance of accumulation.
The lack of rain so far could spell trouble for the water district, which last imposed rationing in 1991. Throughout the past year, the agency took water from its 10 reservoirs faster than rain replenished them. As of Dec. 1, district figures show the valley’s artificial lakes about 54 percent below capacity.
District Spokesperson Susan Siravo did not immediately return phone calls Monday, but she has said above-average rainfall is needed to achieve normal reservoir levels. If the rain does not come, the district has indicated it would import water from outside the county to satisfy demand.
