INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) - Tuesday begins a new rainfall year in California. It will be watched closely after two consecutive El Nino years of above-normal precipitation in much of the Inland Empire.

Official rainfall totals the past 12 months ranged up to three-times normal in Fontana where more than 31-inches was recorded. Communities closest to the mountains including San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands, Yucaipa and Rialto were all above average. Riverside was at its annual average of just over 12-inches. Coming up short were the desert communities of Palm Springs, Thermal and Blythe.

In the mountains, Big Bear’s snowfall of 82 inches was above the annual average of 58 inches.

With the end of El Nino this summer, a drier La Nina could mean less rain and snowfall this winter. But that is not a foregone conclusion.

Story Date: October 5, 2024