It Never Rains in California

Unlike the 1972 pop song by Albert Hammond, it's not true that "it never rains in Southern California." The media is all over the story of the recent storms in Los Angeles and Orange County, what with mudslides, houses falling off cliffs and other spectacular images. Deadly S. California Storm Rages Into its 5th Day [USAToday.com]. But the truth is that February is always rainy in California -- north and south -- something Easterners simply don't understand. They see pictures of the San Gabriel mountains, snow-capped around greater L.A., and think that's what the basin looks like year-round.

In reality, February is the time to bring umbrellas, ponchos and very bright headlights. Once, when I lived in Del Mar in North San Diego County, it was so foggy in the early evening (the "marine layer" never burns off in the winter) that I could not even find an exit off the freeway.

Now it's true that these rains are much more substantial than in the past 15 years. But it always rains in the desert in the winter. Things are just backwards in California. Winters are green, summers are brown, and Republicans are moderate. Welcome to California -- do not back up, severe tire damage.

 Posted by glenn