The drought in San Diego County is likely to be downgraded from extreme to severe when scientists update the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is expected to occur before spring begins on Thursday.
But the long-term outlook isn’t as favorable, even in the wake of the two Pacific storms that recently gave the region a soaking.
The National Weather Service says the county has received only half of its usual seasonal rainfall — roughly 4 inches. A dry spell is about to get underway. And the least rainy months lie ahead.
It’s possible the region will fall significantly short of the 9.79 inches of precipitation it averages during a full rainy season, which began on Oct. 1 and will end on Sept. 30.
Forecasters earlier thought that a new jolt of rain would hit the county Monday and Tuesday. Now, they’re only expecting showers, mostly to the east of Interstate 15.
By Wednesday, a high pressure system will move in, blocking new storms at least through Sunday and possibly much longer.
Poppies and tulips will soon blossom, most noticeably along the banks of local freeways. But without more rain, the splendor could lose its luster earlier than it did the past two springs, when the county was in good shape water-wise.
