After being in yet another drought since last year, from a series of recurring ones, the Bay Area experienced some unexpected yet much-needed rain over the weekend of October 23rd to 24th. – This did not entirely remove the drought, but it is a step in the right direction. 

On the 24th, rain filled the streets and, according to NBC Bay Area, downtown San Francisco topped the city’s list as the fourth wettest day ever with a total rainfall of 4.02 inches, also breaking the city’s record as the wettest day in October. A few blocks away from DHS, the Dublin-San Ramon Fire House recorded 5.67 inches of rain that Sunday, even giving DHS its very own lake! In response to this artificial lake, Saiyana Uthayasegar, a freshman at DHS, tells the Shield that she was “walking to the football field when [she] saw it, and [her first] thought was that we should bring our surfboards so we can surf in the ‘pool’”; it seemed that deep!

An atmospheric river brought this rain. What are atmospheric rivers? Well, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say they are “relatively long, narrow regions in the atmosphere – like rivers in the sky – that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics.” In simple terms, it is essentially a river in the sky that is a mixture of condensed, evaporated water and wind that brings California most of its rain. The storm was also warned to be a “bomb cyclone,” which is a storm that strengthens and amplifies quickly within 24 hours; this would include strong winds and heavy rains. 

Similarly, this is not the first time California has experienced such storms. For instance, in 1862, a series of atmospheric rivers stormed through California, flooding it with rain and snow, resulting in the Great Flood of California. It lasted 43 days with an average of 10 feet of rainfall, and half the state was affected by the floods. Some of which were completely immersed in water, including the Central Valley, Sacramento Valley, and San Joaquin Valley. 

Coming back to the recent rains, the forecast for the storm threatened Dublin High’s homecoming activities. Like many other students, Ayushi Vulchi, a freshman at DHS, states that she was disappointed because she thought that the homecoming dance would be cut short, but, to her surprise, the tiny drizzles during the dance made it more fun. To everyone’s delight, most of the rainfall fell the following day.

On another positive note, the heavy rains also brought many recent wildfires under control, bringing relief to communities across the state as the fires have been plaguing California for quite a long time now. Furthermore, the formerly dry landscape has gradually transformed into a fresher, healthier green after the rains improved the arid weather conditions. 

Hopefully, the Bay Area will receive more rain in the following weeks, and California will see some improvement in its drought status. Until then, students should continue to make sure they follow proper water-efficient practices.