Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

El Nino First Affects Weather In Early 1980's

Current weather conditions are being blamed on El Nino.

According to information from John W. Teeter, local meteorologist, this isn't the first time El Nino has affected this area's weather pattern.

He said the winter of 1982-83 also saw the effects of this weather system. Actually, El Nino began affecting the area's weather in the fall of 1982, starting in October.

Teeter said October 1982, saw above average rainfall, with five thunderstorms reported during the month.

The rainfall continued in November, when there were four thunderstorms, one hail storm and eight days with dense fog recorded.

When winter officially hit in December, El Nino continued to drench the county with 13.04 inches of rain. The record rainfall in December, Teeter said, is 14.78 inches, recorded in 1937).

December 1982 also saw nine days of dense fog, creating headaches for everyone, along with snow and ice hitting the area Dec. 10-12. There were also five thunderstorms, with two tornado watches thrown in for good measure.

As the calendar rolled over into 1983, Teeter said, El Nino reversed itself with below average rainfall in January. He said less than an inch of rain fell, as only 0.95 was recorded. However, the record low rainfall for a January is 0.78 inch, recorded in 1911.

But, the month did see more dense fog, as the area was blanketed in for seven days. More snow and ice was also recorded on Jan. 21-22.

Another reversal occurred in February as El Nino was blamed for above average rainfall. There were four days of snow and ice, Feb. 4-7, while the fog bank let up somewhat with only two heavy days recorded. In addition, there was one thunderstorm in February.

Once February ended, so did the effect of El Nino, Teeter said, as the weather was pretty much normal throughout the spring.