A decade later, the water level had fallen to 50% for the first time since the 1970s.Ĭasitas General Manager Michael Flood called the latest 10-day forecast not promising. The last time the lake, which provides water to the Ojai Valley and parts of Ventura, was nearly full happened in 2005. With no imported water, the lake depends on local rainfall and river runoff, including through a diversion canal above the lake. Year after year of drought conditions have left the water level at historic lows. Winter storm brought rare hail to Ventura County more rain possible Sunday As of Friday, the Ojai Valley reservoir was less than 39% full. With little rain, the Casitas Municipal Water District has reported negligible diversions and stream flows to Lake Casitas so far this season. The forecast calls for gusty winds over the weekend and some dry, Santa Anas by mid-week. Rain then becomes a no-show for at least the next week. The foothills may get some sprinkles, she said, but most of Ventura County will stay dry. The National Weather Service says a smattering of rain could fall Friday night in the mountains near the Ventura and Kern county line.īut the forecast calls for a little over a tenth of an inch at most in the local mountains, said Kathy Hoxsie, a meteorologist at the agency's Oxnard office. "It will be one of the top 10 driest years in Southern California," said Patzert, formerly with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Meanwhile, much of Ventura County would need 8 or more inches just to get close to normal for this time of year. January, February and March – typically the wettest months of the year – are nearly in the rearview mirror at this point, Patzert said.Īverage rainfall in April totals around an inch to an inch and a half for most areas. Rainfall totals throughout Southern California average around 30 to 40% of normal. "Everything greened up, but that’s superficial," said climatologist William Patzert. "I would categorize them more as March misery rather than a March miracle." After a dry February, a few storms this month were welcome but did little to bridge the gap. But experts say chances of that happening are becoming less and less likely. Drought Monitor show Ventura – and much of Southern California – still in a moderate drought.Īreas could make up at least some of the deficit over the next couple of months. Rainfall totals have reached less than one-third of normal for this time of year, according to preliminary figures from the Ventura County Watershed Protection District. Ventura County heads into spring this weekend on its way to recording one of its driest rainy seasons on record. Watch Video: How climate change is impacting Hopi farmers and their way of life
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