Sunshine And Dry Conditions To Stay For Awhile

Sunshine and temperatures in the 60s are likely to stay in the forecast for a while longer due to a quirk in the La Nina weather pattern for this winter season, meteorologists say.

Ken Clark, expert senior meteorologist with Accuweather, said the reason California and much of the rest of the West is having a mild, dry winter is La Nina effect “on steroids.”

The last time it rained was Dec. 15, the only time it rained in December. Clark says storms have been basically going around California and for at least the next week or so there’s no rainfall in the forecast for the next week or more.

“Basically the same pattern we’ve been in will stay,” Clark said. "It's only a weak to moderate la Nina but it's acting like a strong one."

The weather may be pleasant, but it’s contributing to dry conditions that state fire officials are worrying over.

Cal Fire is increasing its staff and canceling burn days and planned debris burning in response to increased fire danger because of an unusually dry winter, Cal Fire officials said.          

The agency said that over the last month there were an increased number of fires for a typical December, when wildfire activity usually slows as wetter weather sets in across the state.          

But despite low temperatures, precipitation has been unusually low, and the statewide water content is at 19 percent of normal.

Officials said that the lack of precipitation could potentially cause even greater fire danger in the spring and summer months, as well.         

"We will be monitoring the rain levels over the next couple months, as it will be an indicator of the type of fire activity spring and summer will bring," Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said.

Cal Fire is also asking residents of California to be extremely cautious not to start a wildfire, particularly on windy days.

-- Bay City News Service contributed to this article.