January Weather and Rain

Although Toquerville receives about 7 inches of rain each year, the lion's share of that moisture comes during the months of December, January and February; the balance being more or less evenly scattered through the remaining nine months.

In January 2009, Toquerville received hefty amounts of rain during a four day period in late January (Jan 23-27), and in 2005 Toquerville received heavy rain in January that caused flooding along Ash Creek. Consistent with this pattern, Toquerville also received heavy rain this January. From Monday January 18 through Saturday January 23, Toquerville received 2.44 inches of rain, below are the daily totals:

Monday = .50
Tuesday = .39
Wednesday = .15
Thursday = .93
Friday = .33
Saturday = .14

The Thursday .93 inches of rainfall is the highest single day rainfall in the three years I've been recording data, and the weekly total of 2.44 is well above any previous weekly total over the past three years. So assuming Toquerville receives 7 inches of rain again in 2010, it has already received almost 40% of its annual rainfall.

This weather is a result of the El Nino weather pattern caused by higher than normal warming of the Pacific Ocean water off the coast of Peru. El Nino causes the jet stream to drop well down into southern California and northern Arizona, allowing warm, moisture laden storms to come ashore in southern California and affect Arizona, Nevada and Utah in an unusual way. Meteorologists reported one of the lowest barometric pressures ever seen off the coast of California this past week. And on Thursday morning (Jan 21, 2010) Salt Lake City recorded the lowest barometric pressure reading--ever. That low pressure drew up the moisture from the south and doused the state with large amounts of rain and snow. In an El Nino year, Utah receives higher than normal amounts of rain and snow.

Although Ash Creek, Laverkin Creek, and the Virgin River were all running higher than normal, no flooding occurred. Because the 2.44 inches of rain was spread out over a six day period, with periods of no rain in between, the soil was able to absorb much of the water and prevent flooding.

The prolonged, deep soaking we received this week is ideal for trees, pecans, yards and garden soil. Unfortunately, it also probably insures a bad infestation of the Beet Leafhopper, and another bad year for Curly Top Blight. The Leafhoppers thrive in the hills during wet Winters and wet Springs, then move down into the valleys when the hills dry out in the spring, and our gardens get going.