Graphic from the US National Weather Service. 

Get ready to do some puddle stomping, Humboldt. The rain is here to stay for the next week and, boy, do we need it. 

According to the National Weather Service, there will be rain showers today and tonight with a chance of thundershowers this afternoon through tomorrow. Snow levels will be around 5000 feet. Dropping to 3000 to 4000 feet on Wednesday.

The rain will drop off a bit on Thursday but by Friday evening, an “Atmospheric River” will bring heavy rainfall to the region. Smaller streams may flood. Major rivers may rise rapidly but there is no expectation of flooding on major rivers. This kind of rain, of course, in our geologic region, means a chance of mud or rock slides.

But overall, our water outlook in Northern California is bleak.  Most of Humboldt is still in Extreme Drought Conditions.

Though this rain helps, the prediction through June is for the drought to either persist or even intensify. Our rivers are currently flowing at much lower rates than usual. A sampling of the county’s rivers—the Eel River at Scotia, the Trinity River at Hoopa, and the Van Duzen River at Bridgeville—-are all flowing at rates less than one third the median amount for this time of year. This rain will improve the situation but with precipitation rates for April predicted to be lower than normal, the rivers and local streams will again drop.