Despite spasmodic forecasts of showers that usually turn out to be invisible, The Drought and its attendant restrictions remain as stubbornly stout as last summer when tightened water usage rules were introduced.
But there is a brightening of hopes now that we have entered the month when winter begins.
Predictions of (probably post-Christmas) El Nino-style heavy rains, feared in some areas, greedily will be welcomed across parched Southern California.
Public Works Director Charles Herbertson estimates that it will be spring before watering rules are relaxed – as long as Culver City enjoys a wet winter.
“The El Nino condition is there, out in the Pacific Ocean,” he says. “The question is, Does it persist and create the kind of winter storms that have been associated with that condition?
“All signs are that it will. It is not going to just break up. It appears that will continue, and that will create the engine in the atmosphere that will cause all of these storms associated with El Nino.”
Here is his jackpot prediction:
“Late December, early January and into February – that is when we normally anticipate the big rains,” Mr. Herbertson said.
Meteorologists’ guesses about dramatic changes in the Southland weather traditionally miss their target. Until rain actually materializes, it may be too early to be optimistic.
“It is a good sign that Northern California has seen a little bit of rain, mixed with some snow,” says Mr. Herbertson. “Compared to what’s needed, it is a small amount.”
As Culver City’s Eye in the Sky, Mr. Herbertson is eager for the winter rains to begin. But then winter itself still is three weeks distant, much less wetness.
He is not part of the very vocal chorus projecting an ongoing diet of drenchings.
“We still are waiting to see what is going to happen,” Mr. Herbertson says cautiously with an ironic smile.
His rain outlook is sunny.
“We are trying to prepare for a lot of rain all at once, even for extended periods of time.”
