Los Angeles: Drowning in Sunshine... or Maybe Not?
Ah, Los Angeles. The land of eternal sunshine, bronzed bodies, and... surprise downpours? That's right, folks, it turns out even the City of Angels gets a little weepy sometimes. But just how weepy has 2024 been for LA? Let's dive into the delightfully dramatic world of Los Angeles rainfall.
From Parched to Sprinkled: A Most Unusual Rain Season
We all know the drill in LA. The sun beats down relentlessly, pools shimmer like mirages, and our lawns are about as green as a shamrock milkshake. This year, however, Mother Nature threw us a curveball. We actually saw some decent rainfall. Imagine that!
Now, before you grab your floaties, we're not talking about some Noah's Ark-level deluge. But, compared to the usual aridity, it's been a revelation. Downtown LA has received a respectable 53.46 inches of rain so far for the last two rain seasons (that's 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 combined). That might not sound like much to folks in Seattle, but for us Angelenos, it's practically a monsoon.
Rain Records Tumble (Almost) Like Tumbleweeds
This rainy season even managed to almost rewrite the record books. Back in January, a series of storms dumped a whopping amount of rain in a short period. Downtown LA saw 8.13 inches in just 3 days! That's more than half the average yearly rainfall for the city. For a moment there, we were all convinced we were living in a forgotten episode of Baywatch.
However, Los Angeles, ever the champion of keeping things glamorous, stopped just short of breaking the all-time record. The crown for most rain in two consecutive days still belongs to the downpour of 1933-1934, which caused some serious flooding (sorry, no recreating Titanic moments here).
So, How Much Rain Did We REALLY Get?
Here's the truth, folks: it depends on where you live in the vast sprawl of LA. Some areas, like Agoura Hills and Mt. Baldy, have seen a whopping over 8 inches of rain this year. Others, like, well, most of us, got a bit less.
You can check out the nitty-gritty details on the LA County Department of Public Works website [LA County Public Works rain data]. Just be warned, it can get a little technical, so maybe grab a coffee (or a mimosa, it's LA after all) before you dive in.
The Verdict: Farewell Drought, Hello Washed Cars?
So, has 2024 been a washout for LA? Not quite. But it's definitely been a pleasant surprise. Our lawns are a little greener (for now), our car washes are thriving, and we can all say we've experienced a real, live raindrop this year. Here's to hoping this wetter weather sticks around, at least long enough to water the bougainvillea and top up the pool.
