Parched California has driest 'rainy season' on record

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Los Angeles suffered through the driest rainy season on record in 2007, marking the least amount of precipitation here in the 130 years rainfall has been measured, weather officials said Sunday.

There were just 8.15 centimeters (3.2 inches) of rain in Los Angeles between January 1 and June 30 -- barely a fifth of the annual average rainfall of 38.3 centimeters (15 inches).

"This was the driest rain season ever in downtown Los Angeles and at many other locations in southwestern California," the National Weather Service said in a statement.

Most California rains fall in the first half of the year, particularly between January and March.

The National Weather Service began compiling precipitation statistics in 1877.

Los...