The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: rain

  • Rain Returns to Humboldt This Weekend

    Rain Returns to Humboldt This Weekend

    A moderate rainstorm will make its way through Humboldt County

    A storm is hitting Humboldt this weekend will bring a considerable amount of rain.

    Jonathan Garner, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Eureka, gave us a preview of what to expect.

    “All in all, maybe up to two inches of rain over the weekend,” Garner said. “I’m also expecting accumulated snow across the mountains for elevations mainly above 3500 feet. We could get a little bit of small hail and stronger showers and perhaps a thunderstorm as well.”

    The rain is mainly forecasted to fall on Saturday but will linger in showers on Sunday. Expect high temperatures to be in the low to mid 50s with lows in the lower 40s.

    “It will put a very small dent into our deficit. We’re about 10 or 11 inches below normal right now.”

    Jonathan Garner, meteorologist for National Weather Service in Eureka

    Garner said the storm won’t resolve our rain deficit for the year.

    “It will put a very small dent into our deficit,” he said. “We’re about 10 or 11 inches below normal right now.”

    Emily Read, a junior environmental studies major, is still around in Humboldt amidst the coronavirus outbreak. With the rain looming, she planned on not doing much this weekend beyond trying to learn a new program for an engineering class.

    “I typically am fine with rain,” Read said. “I like it most of the time—but right now, since we’re stuck at home anyway, I kind of just am tired of it and I just want it to stop raining so it can be nice and warm.”

    Jared English, a junior film major, also planned to remain indoors this weekend even though he was initially looking forward to getting outside and doing the one thing he can do in Manila—frisbee golf.

    “It does kind of make me a little sad,” English said. “Because that means even more time inside and even more time isolated in this quarantine, and the rainstorm kind of takes that one thing away.”

  • Sprinkles Expected for Spring Break

    Sprinkles Expected for Spring Break

    Rains look to rush in this upcoming weekend

    Cold clouds creep on the horizon, waiting for students to flee Arcata before dumping rain on the city. The days of sunny skies and warm weather may come to a damp halt at the beginning of spring break.

    Spring is here, and it’s wet. This coming weekend, rain is forecasted to fall on Humboldt State. Break is just around the corner and inclement weather may be a downer for partying students, so be sure to check the weather before the rager starts.

    This helpful graph, built by weatherspark.com, shows the average daily chance of rain in Arcata throughout the year. | Graph by Weatherspark

    To prepare for the break, The Lumberjack science section reached out to the National Oceanic and Aeronautic Administration office and asked a meteorologist what we can expect. It may get cold.

    According to Brad Charboneau, one of those NOAA meteorologists, we’ve still got a couple more cold months ahead of us. We’re not out of the chill yet, even though the spring season is when temperatures start warming up.

    “I check the weather often either with the NOAA weather app or by looking at the sky. If it looks questionable or if the sky is darker than usual, check it.”

    Mattea Roberts

    For curious weather geeks, the NOAA station uses a number of sensors and measuring devices to record weather events. For example, they use a tipping bucket rain gauge that measures hundredths of an inch. Each time the bucket fills, the bucket tips over and records a tic. The more tics, the more water. Easy as that.

    Mattea Roberts probably appreciates meteorological instruments like the tipping bucket. A freshman studio artist at HSU, Roberts takes advantage of NOAA science by using their weather app. She said it was a good idea to check the weather if the sky looked questionable.

    “I check the weather often either with the NOAA weather app or by looking at the sky,” Roberts said. “If it looks questionable or if the sky is darker than usual, check it.”

    Roberts also said she brings a rain jacket or an umbrella to school every day, just in case it does rain. She’s probably going to be prepared for whatever the climate has to throw at her this weekend.

    “I can tell you right now, it’s gonna be nice and warm up until Friday,” Charboneau said. “On Saturday, believe it or not, we’re gonna have a shift to cooler, more showery weather that will last through the weekend.”

    Charboneau said the rain isn’t going to be very intense from the perspective of the rivers, but the conditions may make the weekend less than ideal if students have outdoor plans.

    One of Charboneau’s colleagues, Meteorologist Ryan Alyward, explained how NOAA forecasts weather. He said as a meteorologist, his job is to pay attention to what’s going on in the sky and diagnose the conditions. Understanding what’s happening now allows him to make a prognosis of what weather conditions will be.

    Using a program he called Ensemble, meteorologists input real-time data and get a large number of weather predictions. The predictions are future weather patterns that may or may not happen, and it is his job to use these to make a forecast of the weather. The trick is to look at the similarities in each model, because together, those similarities make the most likely prediction.

    The current models, beyond the wet weather forecasted in Arcata, include snow in the mountains east of the city. Charboneau said although snow is more common in January and February, it’s not unheard-of in March.

    “We’re looking for the potential of snow—low-level snow—which will impact the passes going east,” Charboneau said. “It is likely to see some snow over the weekend. Those are the main threats over the weekend.”

  • Motorcycle Tips for Riding in the Rain

    Motorcycle Tips for Riding in the Rain

    It’s always important to drive safely, but especially for motorcyclists in the rain

    Riding a motorcycle is a very exhilarating experience, and just like driving a car, it becomes a little more dangerous in the rain.

    Humboldt County is no stranger to the rain, and if two-wheel transportation is your main way of getting around, here are some things to think about before you ride.

    Proper Gear: Pants and a sweater aren’t going to cut it. Water resistant gear is highly recommended so you don’t freeze, it can impair both your decision making and ability to maneuver the bike. If you can afford it, heated vests and gloves are a great investment. You are better off with boots than sneakers, and luckily a dual-purposed pair of water resistant hiking boots will do the trick.

    Check Your Bike: Wet roads mean less traction. After it rains, oil comes up to the surface of the roads, so make sure your tires aren’t worn out. Leaning and shifting your weight is a critical part of riding. You don’t want the bike to go sliding because of bad tread. Check your brake pads, lights and do any other regular maintenance you may not have kept up on before riding out in bad weather.

    Puddles are NOT Fun: In a car or truck it can be fun to make huge splashes. However, puddles can be deceiving and even a small pothole can send you flying off your bike. If possible, always safely maneuver around puddles.

    Rainbow Roads Are For Mario Kart Only: The pretty little swirls of color you see are just oil puddles waiting to send your bike swerving. Be extra careful at stop signs and lights; cars and trucks sometimes sit at intersections for a while and any leaking oil adds up.

    Stay On Pavement: Try to avoid riding on painted lines, manhole covers or any other shiny/metallic surfaces in general. If it was slippery when dry, it is even more dangerous when it rains, especially given that the reduced tire grip can lead to hydroplaning. If you have to go over something, avoid any sudden inputs such as quick acceleration or slamming the breaks.

    Slow and Smooth: Ease off the throttle sooner and give yourself more room to stop. Take turns at lower speeds so you can keep a safe and constant speed, and don’t shift your weight too abruptly. Sudden actions like slamming on the breaks and quickly switching your weight can put you down quickly even in good weather.

    Find A Dry Path: Trucks and cars clear paths when they drive, pushing away water and other debris. Ride in their tire tracks, but that doesn’t mean tailgate them. You need to give yourself extra room to brake in the rain.

    As always, remember to have fun! Riding a motorcycle is a drastically different experience than driving a car, and they’re meant to be enjoyed. Humboldt is a beautiful place to explore, from the ocean to the forests there are no shortages of great views, and the rain doesn’t need to deter you from that experience.

  • How to stay dry in Humboldt

    How to stay dry in Humboldt

    The spring semester means rain season and it is likely to stay that way the whole semester. Here are some tips from my local prespective to stay dry in Humboldt.

    1. Get proper rain gear. It’s not fun walking from class to class sopping wet. There are many local stores that carry rain coats and shoes. Even the hardware store has cheap boots. Umbrellas are useful against horizontal rain, but don’t spend too much money on one if you’re prone to losing them.
    2. Keep extra socks in your backpack. Trust me, I regretted not doing this on my way to work when street puddles grew to ponds.
    3. Waterproof. If you don’t have the time or money for new shoes, you can buy a waterproofing spray at shoe stores to spray your old shoes and backpack.
    4. DampRid. Everything gets wet, even when it’s not raining. To prevent mold from growing in your residence, buy DampRid bins to absorb moisture. Put them in the closet, under the bed or in the bathroom. This can be purchased at the hardware store, Bed Bath & Beyond or online.
    5. Plan walkways creatively. It is possible to walk to classes without getting wet. Many buildings have awnings and some trails have trees with enough coverage from the rain. With creative planning, you can walk through buildings and the right pathways to get across campus without getting drenched.
    6. Don’t let the rain trap you inside. The benefit of rain, other than to water plant life, is an excuse to stay inside and lay under 20 blankets to stream the new season of The Magicians on Netflix like me. The outside world doesn’t cease to be as beautiful when it’s cold and wet out. Parks and trails are actually just as fun during the winter as they are in the summer. Rivers flow more and nature looks a little greener. So put on waterproof clothes you don’t mind getting muddy and go outside.

     

  • Slippery slopes at the Arcata Community Forest Run

    Slippery slopes at the Arcata Community Forest Run

    By | Erin Chessin

    Runners were lucky enough to experience dry conditions and no weather delays at the Arcata Community Forest Run hosted by the Six Rivers Running Club on March 26.

    Many competed in either a 2-mile race or a 5.5-mile race at 10 a.m. that day. The course started and ended at Redwood Park and took runners on a journey through the redwoods. Runners were challenged with steep, muddy hills due to consistent rainfall over the past couple of weeks.

    The Six Rivers Running Club arranges and hosts races in the most scenic areas of Humboldt County. The club strives to encourage locals and adolescents to run competitively and noncompetitively as a community.

    The race director and Mckinleyville resident, Matthew Kidwell, said the meet went well overall despite the precarious slippery, steep hills.

    “People were slipping on the downhills, thankfully no one was injured,” Kidwell said.

    Kidwell is a long distance runner for the Six Rivers Running Club and has been a meet director of the club’s various events for over four years. He will be competing in the Boston Marathon in three weeks.

    The Arcata Community Forest Run course map, found on the Six Rivers Running Club’s website at www.6srrc.com. | Erin Chessin
    The Arcata Community Forest Run course map, found on the Six Rivers Running Club’s website at http://www.6srrc.com. | Erin Chessin

    Kidwell knew rain was not going to be a problem at the event because he is also a meteorologist.

    “I work for the National Weather Service,” Kidwell said. “So I was semi-confident that the rain would hold off for the run.”

    In the men’s division of the 5.5-mile race, Aaron Campbell placed first at less than 36 minutes, followed by Jasper Severn and Ben Davenport.

    “It’s a great course. The hills are tough, but I ran a personal best today,”Davenport said. Davenport is an active member of the Six Rivers Running Club. He is a long distance runner for the club who competes in anywhere from 5-mile races up to marathons.

    Tami Beall was the first woman to cross the line at almost 42 and a half minutes, followed by Kristal Mendez and Ivy Price.

    There were some standout youth in the 2-mile race. In the boy’s division, Mathias Severn finished in first just above 14 minutes, followed by Everett Halikas and Ian Letts.

    People of all ages competed in the Arcata Community Forest Run. Sheri Culver, 52, was the first woman to finish in the 2-mile event at almost 17 minutes, followed by Annie Lanning who was only 9 years old, and Iris Mohany.

    Retired Chief of Police for the Humboldt State University, Tom Dewey, was first in his age division for the 5.5-mile race.

    “The race was a hard one but a good one,” Dewey said.

    Dewey is also a member of the Six Rivers Running Club.

    Members of the Six Rivers Running Club often participate or compete in the Six Rivers Running Club Circuit, which comprises of six signature races. The Avenue of the Giants Marathon and the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon are the club’s most well known races, both of which attract various runners from all over the country.

    The club hosts dozens of races all year around and welcomes Humboldt County residents and people of all ages to compete.

    Race results and photos can be found at the Six Rivers Running Club’s website. Registration and information about upcoming races in Humboldt County can also be found on the club’s website.

  • What to wear in the cold and rain at Humboldt State University

    What to wear in the cold and rain at Humboldt State University

    By | Curran Daly

    People have many clothing options to choose from on cold and rainy days. So do dogs. Teus is a dog who rocks a sweatshirt on a cold and rainy Humboldt afternoon.

    Kiara Pineda and her dog Teus. Teus’ outfit caused many people to laugh as he and Pineda walked across campus on a cold and rainy Humboldt day. Photo by Curran Daly

    While walking between classes Teus gets many smiles, stares and the occasional pet. When it is raining, Teus wears a sweatshirt to stay dry so he doesn’t get his owner’s apartment wet.

    Teus’ owner, Kiara Pineda, is a junior child development major. She learned a few tricks over the years for the cold and rainy Humboldt weather. Warmth is important while walking between classes. When she’s not dressing Teus, Pineda has her own go-to clothes to stay warm and dry.

    “I put rain boots on and a rain jacket,” Pineda said. “I’d recommend just like a turtle neck and rain boots and any warm pants that you have.”

    Layers work especially well to stay warm when it’s wet and rainy. Desteny Gutierrez, a Freshman from Los Angeles, knows how important it is to be warm. She feels that layers work perfectly for cold weather. When you’re outside you can be bundled up and when you’re inside you can take it all off to enjoy the heater.

    “You definitely need layers ‘cause, you don’t want to get wet and have nothing to take off,” Gutierrez said.

    According to the National Weather Service, Eureka has already had 40.94 inches of rain so far this winter. That is 7 inches more than at the same point last year and 16.4 inches more than the historical average for this time of the season. This increase in rain also affects Humboldt State students. Students must walk through the rain to and from classes. Gutierrez doesn’t worry about the rainy weather.

    “If it’s raining, definitely just throw on a rain jacket and anything under with some jeans and boots,” Gutierrez said. “If it’s just cold, I’d pull on a pull-over sweater with jeans and shoes.”

    The shoes you wear are also important in wet weather. When it’s cold and rainy some elect to wear boots to keep their feet warm and dry while others, like freshman kinesiology major Conner Chappel, just wear regular tennis shoes.

    “I need my jacket and then an umbrella, jeans, and some not nice shoes,” Chappel said. “Why would I want to ruin nice shoes?”

    Chappel moved to Humboldt from Rocklin, Calif. He hasn’t dealt with much rain in Rocklin for the past few years due to the drought. Moving from a drier climate to Humboldt can make for a hard transition, but Chappel found the move easier than he expected.

    Conner Chappel rocking some “not nice shoes” through the wet winter’s day. Photo by Curran Daly

    “It was pretty easy to transition, especially compared to my roommate,” Chappel said. “He came up to school without a rain jacket, like he didn’t even have a rain jacket.”

    Desteny Gutierrez came to Humboldt at the beginning of this school year. In the cold wet weather Gutierrez uses layers to stay dry and warm. Photo by Curran Daly