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Downtown has received more than 18 inches so far in 2024 -- with more on the way
A moisture meter is an essential tool for the Sacramento-area gardener. Makes a great gift, too! Kathy Morrison
Will 2024 be remembered as a wet or dry year? (Hint: Look outside.)
Although we’ll certainly remember the heat (with more than 50 days in triple digits), 2024 saw above-average rainfall – and we’re not done yet.
According to the National Weather Service, Downtown Sacramento has totaled 18.03 inches through Dec. 17 – more than 1.5 inches above average for those 50 weeks.
February (4.63 inches), April (1.60), November (3.53) and December (2.27 and counting) all tracked above average and other months (such as January with 3.53 inches) were pretty darn close.
This weekend, another atmospheric river will flow a steady stream of showers into Northern California. Starting Saturday (the first official day of winter), Sacramento is expected to receive 1 to 2 inches more rain before Christmas (including a very soggy Christmas eve), says the weather service. That could push our annual total close to 20 inches – 3 inches above normal.
Our fall rainfall has replenished reserves in both reservoirs and our own landscapes. No matter how dry 2025 may be, we’re set up to have a good “water year,” which officially runs through Sept. 30.
The new year could get off to a wet start, too. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, January and February 2025 are expected to be warmer and wetter than usual. Those two months combined average more than 7 inches in Sacramento. In 2024, January and February delivered a total of 8.16 inches.
Be prepared for all that moisture:
* Get a rain gauge. It will help you track your own garden’s micro-climate and precipitation totals.
* Use a moisture meter. Check your soil before irrigating; top soil may look dry, but a few inches down, it can stay damp much longer.
* Dig up and store bulbs that are prone to rot (such as dahlias).
* Place stepping stones through planting beds so damp soil isn’t compacted by your heavy footprints while tending flowers or vegetables.
* Consider setting up rain barrels and saving some of that water for dry periods to come.
For the latest weather updates and rain totals: https://www.weather.gov/sto/#
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