Rain returns to North Coast

Tantalizing yet trace amounts of rain fell across the North Coast on Wednesday, turning roads slick and nourishing spring wildflowers but bringing no relief for the state’s drought.

Rain totals hovered around one-tenth of an inch throughout the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Lightning strikes from the tropical storm have sparked at least 60 wildfires in Northern California, the largest so far a 30-acre fire in Humboldt County, according to Cal Fire. But no significant lightning strikes were reported Wednesday in Sonoma, Napa, Lake or Mendocino counties. In Mendocino County, Cal Fire was battling a small, two-acre blaze on Poonkinney Road between Highway 101 and Covelo but the fire did not appear to have been caused by lightning.

The rain developed when a low-pressure system combined with the moisture left behind by a post-tropical storm, dubbed Blanca, that blew through Baja California, National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Anderson said.

That combination, typical for this time of year, “breeds thunderstorms and showers,” Anderson said.

“Any strikes will be problematic for wildfires,” Anderson said.

The storm diminished by nightfall, with Thursday’s forecast calling for sunny skies and temperatures hitting 85 to 90 degrees.

The rain started at about 1 a.m. on the North Coast. Volunteers with the National Weather Service measured between 0.03 and 0.11 inches of rain in Santa Rosa, 0.16 inches at sites in Boyes Hot Springs and Petaluma, 0.18 inches in Rohnert Park and 0.11 inches in Bodega Bay.

The only measurable amount in Mendocino County was 0.09 inches captured by a rain gauge in Gualala. Napa County rain watchers noted 0.08 inches in American Canyon. A Lake County volunteer reported 0.07 inches in Lakeport.

Anderson, the meteorologist, said that the bright side of the gloomy system is that the moisture could extend the life of some wildflowers.

“Wildflowers that are still blooming will continue to bloom for another week maybe,” he said. But in terms of the drought, “it is a non-impact event,” he said.

Wednesday’s rain comes nine days after a small front wrung 0.01 inches of moisture from heavy fog in the region.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.