Romance in the air replaced by rain

Greg Risling

COSTA MESA -- An expected series of storms that promised to bring needed

rain over the weekend hardly quenched a county that has barely registered

an inch of rainfall over the past seven months.

Dark skies and a smattering of showers kept many people indoors over the

weekend, but did little to improve the county’s thirst for rain. Totals

for rainfall the last three days at John Wayne Airport were about a third

of an inch, according to the National Weather Service.

Since July 1, the Newport-Mesa area has seen about 1.2 inches of rain.

The county averages about six inches of rain at this time of year.

Meteorologists aren’t ready to push the panic button yet. Providing hope

is the month of March, a time when reservoirs can be replenished to make

up for low precipitation totals.

There were a handful of minor traffic accidents in Costa Mesa on Monday

that may have been contributed to the weather or the last-minute hustle

for a Valentine’s Day gift.

David Bingham of Costa Mesa said the light showers were putting a damper

on his day.

“The box of candy is getting wet and so is this cuddly teddy bear,” said

Bingham, holding onto his gifts and running through the puddles near a

flower shop on Adams Avenue. “My girlfriend and I were hoping to watch

the stars tonight, but it looks like we’ll have to settle for a movie.”

Kathleen Ford of Costa Mesa didn’t mind the wet weather. She was also

searching for the perfect gift for her husband, but she welcomed the

change in climate.

“I hope this lasts,” she said. “We need as much rain as we can get over

the next few weeks. Some people run through the rain. I walk through it

-- unless it’s a torrential downpour.”

Ford’s wish may come true at least for the next few days. Forecasters

said there is a strong chance for rain today and expect the wet weather

to diminish Wednesday. However, another storm is expected to hit Southern

California on Thursday.

The weekend should see a return to form -- a few clouds and temperatures

in the upper 60s to low 70s.