Last Precipitation Conditions Report 

of the Eastern Sierra’s “Rainy Season” 

 

The concept of a “body clock” is fairly understandable. When one’s sleep/wake schedule is interrupted, the mind may grasp the change but the body is still functioning on its own concept of day and night. The deluge from Hurricane Hilary last August, plus a relatively cool early spring, may introduce the idea of a “body calendar” to Eastern Sierra residents, a region with distinct precipitation/no precipitation, hot/cold rhythms. 

In other words, how many locals have to check the actual calendar to realize the East Side is about to transition into summer, the historical drop in precipitation and rise in temperatures? Adding to the climatic confusion is the record setting 301-percent of normal 2022-23 rainy season. The 2023-24 “rain season” was close to normal at 98-percent, but the whole concept of “normal” has been seriously skewed.  

With the exception of Rock Creek and Sawmill, the East Side’s snow pillows are hovering around “normal.” Rock Creek sits at 74-percent and Sawmill at 89-percent. Those snow pillows keep the Owen Valley’s creeks running through the summer months. 

Rainfall numbers tell a more realistic picture. The Eastern Sierra percentages range from 92-percent at South Haiwee to 48-percent in Independence. Bishop logged in at 84-percent with a whopping 5-inches of rain; Big Pine, 72-percent; Cain Ranch, 64-percent; Long Valley, 54-percent and Independence, 48-percent. Los Angeles soared to 138-percent and 21.12 inches of rain. 

So now locals can ease into whatever this season is. Our skeletal trees are leafing up, so it must be Spring despite the fact down comforters are still a night-time requirement. 

 
https://sierrawave.net/last-precipitation-conditions-report-of-the-eastern-sierras-rainy-season/