Rain or snow is expected to fall on much of California throughout Halloween weekend as a Pacific storm system drives a cold front across much of the state.
While the storm does nothing to change the fact that the state is in the midst of the worst drought in at least a century, it could bring significant rainfall to parts of southern and central California that have yet to see any major precipitation this season, according to the National Weather Service.
California's Central Valley and the central coast are expected to see the wettest weather on Friday, and the San Franisco Bay Area will likely get its heaviest showers this afternoon, while southern California's will be some time this evening.
The National Weather Service's winter outlook, released this month, predicts the drought will further intensify this winter as the state faces yet another unusually dry winter season. However, the agency says parts of southern and northwestern California could see conditions improve, but most likely not until December or January.
As of this Thursday, 82% of the state is still facing extreme or exceptional drought conditions, a portion that has remained relatively consistent for the past three months. The weather service also reports that 2014 may prove to be the warmest year on record for California. Both 2012 and 2013 were among the top ten warmest years ever recorded in the state.
Told my staff at @NWSHanford I'd take them out to dinner if it doesn't rain at their houses. #cawx #confident— Paul Iniguez (@pauliniguez) October 31, 2014
While you might expect the thousands of Giants fans crowding downtown San Francisco streets for a post-World Series celebration to be upset about the rain on their parade, many of them don't seem to mind it. After all, what's a little rain to fans whose team just brought home its third World Series trophy in five years?
"Don't rain on my parade" is usually a bad expression, but I think San Francisco can live with the rain for today's #SFGiants celebration.— David Martinez (@dasupa1) October 31, 2014
In the Rain and loving it @ Union Square, San Francisco http://t.co/IJyULTTfNw— Sandy (@vfun69) October 31, 2014
Omg the rain is falling down big time in San Francisco. Bring rain gear @kron4news pic.twitter.com/TirzBco7ns— Will Tran (@KRON4WTran) October 31, 2014
Don't want to watch the #WorldSeries parade in the rain? Stay dry. Watch live here: http://t.co/1dqwYLH2e0 pic.twitter.com/lhNb357uY0— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) October 31, 2014
The San Francisco sky is dressing like rain for Halloween. Scary, like something you'd long put behind you.— Quentin Hardy (@qhardy) October 31, 2014
the ONE day I don't want it to rain san francisco.... THE ONE DAY— Jocelyne Gomez (@gmzjocelyne) October 31, 2014
Crazy! San Francisco Giants World Series Champions Victory Parade! So much rain!A video posted by John (@a1topnotch) on Oct 10, 2014 at 9:41am PDT
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the reaction to the weather seems to be mostly positive but a bit more mixed, depending on Halloween night plans.
Hold up....does that really say a 100% chance of rain in Los Angeles?! On Halloween night?!? tonight's… http://t.co/rXXM7YwEIX— lauren james (@forgetmenot49) October 31, 2014
What's scarier than a zombie apocalypse on Halloween in #LosAngeles? RAIN!! http://t.co/quJpz0y5Co— JohnAdams LATimes (@JohnAdamsLAT) October 31, 2014
It's going to rain in Los Angeles!! ☔ I'm so happy, can't wait to go home and watch Hocus Pocus with #MurrayTheDog pic.twitter.com/DrTPDmyLpy— Angela Sauceda (@angelasauceda) October 31, 2014
Drizzle in Los Angeles today! Counselors brought in from Seattle to help explain rain to panicked Angelenos.— DomoGato (@DoomClown) October 31, 2014
It's going to rain tonight in Los Angeles! Hallelujah! First time in like 9 months. I can't wait to feel a rain drop.— Ryan Padgham (@RyanPadgham) October 31, 2014
The weather did not stop rain-drenched fans from turning up in droves as a procession including Giants players, coaches and staff and others affiliated with the team or the city made its way down Market Street in downtown San Francisco. The parade ended at San Francisco's Civic Center where mayor Ed Lee presented the team with a key to the city.
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