Yet the Northern Sierra 8-Station Index stands at 66% of normal for the rainfall season that began July 1. It is crucial for water customers throughout the state, and in particular for Southern California. Santa Barbara is a bit of an outlier among Southern California coastal locations with just 76% of normal, having dropped from 103% at the end of 2019. Northern California had a dry, windy, extended fire season in 2019, and the rainy weather got a late start there. Meanwhile, big storms affecting the entire state gave Southern California a little bit of a jump on its rainy season.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 18, 2020 03:56 UTC