How 'normal' is current water year for Sacramento, NorCal?

How would you describe Sacramento’s “water year” so far? According to the rain totals, we had a very wet winter; the rest of the time, not so much. In other words, our rain picture is finally “normal.”

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, which makes this a good time to catch up on our water picture.

The good news? Sacramento (and Northern California overall) had enough big storms this winter to refill reservoirs and boost our overall soil moisture. On May 22, Folsom Lake – the main reservoir serving the greater Sacramento area – was at 95% of capacity and 120% of its historical average on that date.

As gardeners, we saw the results in our landscapes this spring, with abundant blooms and heavy fruit set on trees.

After an above-average April and thunderstorms in early May, Sacramento has totaled 17.60 inches for the current water year, which started Oct. 1. Average for that period: 17.60 inches.

So, according to the National Weather Service, our current water picture couldn’t be more normal. And after recent prolonged droughts, normal feels just right.

How normal are our rain totals right now? Take the current month of May as an example. In Sacramento, its rain total – 0.57 inches – all fell on one day (May 4). Historically, the entire month of May in Sacramento averages 0.57 inches, says the weather service.

There’s little to no chance we’ll see any more precipitation this month, says the weather service, which estimates the probability of rain at “0%” through May 31.

While temperatures will dip into the 70s leading into the long Memorial Day weekend, seasonal heat is coming soon, adds the weather service. A high of 87 is forecast for Monday, Memorial Day, followed by several days in the low 90s (or close to it).

Summer really is right around the corner.