Hopes that rain might be on its way to the North Bay dwindled Saturday because of a high pressure system that shows little sign of budging.
December ended as Santa Rosa's second-driest month in 80 years of record-keeping with just .09 inches of rain falling downtown.
Forecasters had said that a high pressure system that is to blame for keeping wet weather at bay appeared to be eroding. But that changed on Saturday with new signs that the system is sticking around.
"Basically, no rain," said Steve Anderson of the National Weather Service.
Anderson called it "pretty much dull, boring weather for the new year," and said the forecast shows little chance of rain next week.
Instead, the forecast calls for slightly higher than normal daytime temperatures in the 60s for Santa Rosa, and clear, sunny days along the coast.
That's good news for beachgoers, but not so good for cattle ranchers, skiers and umbrella salesmen.
Aside from 1989, when no rainfall fell in Santa Rosa, there's not a December on record that comes close to matching 2011 for lack of precipitation.
In 1956, the third-driest December, 0.38 inches fell in Santa Rosa. Friday's rain, measured as a trace, did little to close the gap.
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