from Paul Blank, Napa RCD Environmental Scientist
Heavy December rainfall continued into January in the Napa Valley with nine storms and 14 days of rainfall observed at the County ALERT monitoring stations (napa.onerain.com). Rain totals were above average for the month, ranging between 9.8 inches in the City of Napa and 17.0 inches at Mt. Veeder. These totals represent approximately 39% of mean annual precipitation. On average, we get 19% during the month of January. On the season, we have now received 76% of our annual rainfall, putting us well above average for this time in the water year. Seasonal totals range between 19.9 and 34.5 inches.
Local municipal reservoirs are full including Lake Hennessey, which spilled on January 9. Lake Berryessa storage increased from 51% to 66% of capacity during the month.
