Weather Prediction Outlook as California's Water Year begins

KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- October first marks the official start of California's water year and local prediction centers, including the Department of Water Resources and National Weather Service in Hanford say long range forecasts could have a mixture of multiple patterns.

"So, as far as El Nino, it's about a 20% chance we might see that for April, May, and into June. So it's still a 20% chance, so it still could go back up to El Nino, but, the highest chances right now, near 70%, is for a neutral pattern," explains Emily Wilson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford.

And as we approach the next few months, a La Nina pattern is likely to happen.

"A drier and a bit warmer of a pattern. So, we might be seeing below average rainfall and a little bit above average temperatures, if that does work out. Sometimes it does not work out, as you saw with 23, where it just rained buckets," says Emily.

The 2023 floods re-introducing Tulare Lake.

Where this entire area on 6th avenue in Corcoran was flooded.

"When it was completely flooded the roads were gone. The fields were gone, houses, shops, businesses were affected, everything was flooded here," recalls Kings County Sheriff Deputy, Josue Perez.

Deputy Perez says having patrolled the area for more than 9 years the experience was surreal.

"It's been over a year now that it's been dry, if you look around it's almost like it never happened. You have to pay close attention to buildings or structures out there that still have damage on them," mentioned Deputy Perez.

The Kings County Sheriff's Office says since the 2023 floods, they have upgraded their equipment and are ready to go in case another flooding event does happen.

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