Thunderstorms soak parts of Sacramento region

How much rain did you get? Chances are – a lot!

Sacramento’s first atmospheric river of the 2023-24 rainy season gave our region a good, deep soaking. Starting Sunday night through Tuesday midnight, Downtown Sacramento recorded 2.61 inches, according to the National Weather Service. That includes a record 1.6 inches on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Other parts of the greater Sacramento area received more – or less. Here in the Pocket/Greenhaven neighborhood, my rain gauge collected just under 4 inches. That includes some showers from Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, Davis recorded only 1.24 inches since Sunday, says the weather service.

Rain totals from the thunderstorms that blew across our region Tuesday afternoon illustrate the hit-or-miss tendency of this storm system. Sacramento Executive Airport recorded 1.55 inches in the 24-hour period of 4 a.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, according to the California Nevada River Forecast Center, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For that same period, Elk Grove received only 0.16 inches.

Also for that same 24 hours, Sacramento State’s rain gauge recorded 1.06 inches while the gauge at Arcade Creek-Winding Way in Carmichael received only 0.39.

While much of Sacramento was getting drenched Tuesday, Roseville, Fair Oaks, Rocklin, Orangevale, Lincoln and Rancho Cordova all recorded less than one-third inch.

A lot of rain in a hurry not only leads to possible flooding; it can destabilize trees – especially if followed by strong gusts of wind.

After the rain stops, take a look around your landscape. If you notice a tree leaning or cracks in the lawn or soil around a tree or large shrub, call an arborist. Those cracks are caused by roots being pulled out of place. You may need expert help to keep that tree upright.

Also be careful walking on wet soil; it can compact easily, squeezing out the vital air pockets needed by roots and microorganisms.