With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
SoCal's rainy season off to dismal start
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a low probability of rain in Southern California over the next two weeks.
(
National Weather Service
)
Topline:
Counties across Southern California are off to a near record dry start this rainy season, with Los Angeles only having received about 5% of the rain it normally would. It's been 276 days since downtown L.A. experienced significant rainfall.
Why it matters: Dry conditions and the peak of Santa Ana wind season mean that large, unstoppable fires are still possible. Dry winters can have detrimental affects on native vegetation, which rely on just a few months of rain to sustain themselves through an eight-month dry period. The latest report from the Drought Monitor shows that abnormally dry conditions (which precede drought conditions) are growing across the central and southern parts of the state.
The weather ahead: The NWS is saying there's a 50% to 60% chance that there'll be below normal precipitation over the next 8-14 days. Any strong wind event will likely bring fire weather conditions.
Support for LAist comes from
The good news: The snowpack across the Sierra Nevada is at 115% of normal, which is a good sign for water availability later in the year.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
This is the one time you can do this legally! -
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.” -
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week.
Best of LAist