After several years of drought here in California, we are finally getting some rain. In fact, we’re getting quite a bit of rain. This is a good thing… in the long run. For the moment, however, the heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, have caused a number of floods and mudslides throughout the Bay Area and up and down the California coastline. Not surprisingly, the weather here has been highlighted on both the local and national news.

It’s strange, though, that the national news reporters are using the term “bomb cyclone” to refer to the unusual conditions here. Local weather reporters have fallen in love with the term “atmospheric river,” which, I believe, is the same thing they used to call the “pineapple express,” since many of these storms originate near Hawaii. As for those of us living here, we simply call it “wind and rain.” 

The conditions do seem severe, but I’m wondering if that is due to the fact that we have not experienced storms like these in quite some time. Certainly the region has experienced similar conditions in years past, but it’s been so long since we’ve gotten a good soaking over a prolonged period of time that we just don’t remember what it’s like to cope with such conditions. The strong winds just exacerbate the situation. 

Fortunately, I have not yet been inconvenienced by the recent weather. There has been no flooding in my immediate area, and, so far, the trees in the neighborhood seem to be withstanding the elements heroically. I do think twice, however, about leaving home. If there is no absolute need to go somewhere, I’m happy to stay home. Scenes on the TV newscasts of mudslides, and of cars stuck on flooded roadways and underpasses, reinforce my desire to stay put.

Another significant wind and rain event will arrive about 2:00 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. It is expected to continue through the morning commute. The afternoon should be fairly mild. I’m scheduled to drive my granddaughter to her preschool class at 8:30 a.m. The school is located in Saratoga. I’ll most certainly be checking both weather and road conditions before venturing out on the roads.