Wonderful October weather has supplanted the seemingly endless heat of summer. Overnight lows in the 40s and 50s with highs in the 70s and 80s are welcomed relief from the triple digits of September.

In fact, September featured 8 triple digit days versus only 5 such days in August. But the change has taken place and cooler days are now here to stay with a chilly weather pattern setting up in the west. Low pressure will want to settle over California for the next week or so. However, this is not necessarily the end of 90-degree heat. During the period 1996-2008, highs have again hit 90 degrees or higher in October or November every year except 2006. The latest 90-degree high temperature on record is November 26th (in 1907), so it can be hot through Thanksgiving. Hence, I have not yet issued my “no more 90s” forecast. With that said, I did state that we are finished with the triple digits for 2009. In the end, Bakersfield had 37 triple digit days (normal is 38). Downtown saw 42 100+ days. Arvin had 78.

El Nino continues to develop in the equatorial Pacific. Long range forecasts are showing above normal chances for precipitation from January through March. That is the typical rainy season for central California, but I believe the significant rainfall will begin in December and deliver several periods of heavy rain. It is my forecast that the 2009-10 water year will be see greater than normal tallies of both rain and mountain snow. I expect a few windy storms which should bring flooding rains to parts of the state. So enjoy the delightful autumnal transition to meaningful relief from the 3-year drought that has plagued California. Rainier days are ahead.