County receives another splash of rain

Greg Risling

One could say Orange County is inching its way to yearly average rainfall

totals after another storm moved through the area Thursday.

The storm dropped a small amount of rain Wednesday night and into

Thursday. The National Weather Service reported about .10 of an inch rain

at John Wayne Airport, although many residents were drenched by a

torrential downpour midafternoon Thursday.

“It proves you better have a jacket during the winter, even if you are

living in sunny California,” said James Nevins, who was soaked sitting at

a bus stop on Newport Boulevard. “I refuse to buy an umbrella. I’ll take

my chances.”

Thursday’s storm was light compared to the El Nino-generated system that

pounded the West Coast three years ago. Orange County is far from

reaching the rainfall amounts of that year, let alone achieving annual

averages. There has been less than an inch of rain that has fallen over

the past seven months in the county.

Forecasters said there is a good chance of rain today, decreasing through

Saturday night. Storm clouds may reappear Monday afternoon and last until

Tuesday, possibly giving the county more needed rain.

“I hope it comes soon because spring is right around the corner,” said

Brenda Wilkins, who was shopping at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa. “I

need to work on my tan.”