Is The Drought Leading To Fewer California Wildflowers?
KPIX 5 Morning Weather Anchor Roberta Gonzales answers the questions you never get to ask on-air.
Q: Hey Roberta! Would you like to see the flowers blooming in my neighborhood on the Vernal Equinox? –Philip Loarie.
A: Hi Philip! Thank you for the video! LOVE it and will share it with all our friends a CBSsf.com on Facebook!
The San Francisco Bay Area has been the recipient of more beautiful flowers of many varieties in the past two years. Throughout February and March, flower lovers have witnessed an array of potpourri bursting on hillsides and in vineyards. Most notably have been the mustard fields (which are now dormant). I have been asked a number of times, "why are we seeing so many more flowers this year when we are in the 4th year of drought."
It's a great question! Jan Null from Golden Gate Weather Services released statistics today, indicating the total rainfall in San Francisco for January, February and March 2015 is just 1.59"; the lowest in the 165 years that rainfall records have been kept. The previous record was from 2013 when there was 2.31". The March monthly total is 0.12," the fourth lowest in SF history.
So why the flowers? Give thanks to a very hefty December. The Bay Area received a record amount of rain in the last month of 2014.
Take a peek at Philip's video from Sunset Point in Richmond. Tell me if YOU can name the flowers featured! I'll start with naming one…the gorgeous California Poppy!
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/123638367">Vernal Flora</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/schmueyvision">SchmueyVision</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
I would love to hear from you! Please send weather questions, observations and photos to me, Gonzales@kpix.cbs.com and I look forward to hearing from you!
