A superbloom expected in California's deserts

Last week certainly felt like spring across the Inland Northwest. March 17 was the warmest St. Patrick’s Day in recorded history in Coeur d’Alene with a high of 71 degrees. The old record was 70 degrees set back in 1972.

 Conditions this week are going to be very different. High temperatures this week are expected to be around the mid-40s to the 50-degree mark with lows in the 30s. We’re also going to be having a series of storms that are likely to bring additional moisture to our region. It’s possible that we could see some additional snowflakes in the lower elevations, but mainly during the overnight hours. However, it should be cold enough to produce more snow across the region’s ski resorts.

 The upper-level airflow patterns are bringing these storms from the Gulf of Alaska. In addition, the storms are forecast to be strong enough to send moisture southward into California, including areas in the southern part of the Golden State.

 Despite the increased rainfall this year, many stations in Northern California are reporting seasonal moisture totals near to below normal as of late last week. However, in Southern California, downtown Los Angeles has received over 22 inches of rain for the 2023-24 season that began July 1, 2023. Their normal rainfall at this time of year is slightly less than 13 inches. In addition to Los Angeles and surrounding regions experiencing a wet moisture season, the sandy desert areas across southeastern California have also been the recipients of the above-normal rainfall pattern.

 As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, weather patterns across the globe have been influenced by the recently strong El Niño in the waters of the south-central Pacific Ocean. During typical El Niño years when water temperatures along the equatorial regions are much warmer than average, the sub-tropical jet stream will often intensify and bring copious amounts of rain to Southern California. There are also occasions when the “pineapple connection,” or the “atmospheric river” will direct tropical moisture northward, and our region will experience heavier amounts of precipitation.

During seasons of heavy rainfall, such as 2023 and this year, tourists and residents of Southern California will often experience a “superbloom” of wildflowers, especially in the desert regions at this time of year. The process began in some regions late last month and environmental scientists are predicting, and hoping, for another spectacular season of flowering poppies.

 Across the sandy deserts, when conditions are good, an array of colorful wildflowers, including bright yellow, orange and purple, will often bloom at once setting up a stunning display in these typically dry regions. To get this magnificent display, the region usually requires a season of above-normal rainfall. Cooler temperatures in the spring are another necessary ingredient so the plants can retain moisture. If temperatures suddenly become too hot or there is a lot of wind during the spring season, then the wildflowers will dry out too quickly and not have the opportunity to flower.

 Last year, the superbloom was very good and this year may be close to 2023. In fact, according to an article by bbc.co.uk, the superbloom was so big that it could be seen from space. The timing of the flowering will vary with different locations in California. There are several websites including www.parks.ca.gov that will provide continuous updates on the flowering process throughout the region.

 The superblooms have become a large tourist attraction often resulting in many traffic jams, so visitors to the region are asked to plan ahead. Some of the best places to observe the array of wildflowers is in Death Valley and the Anza Borrego Desert. The peak of the blooms is often around the mid-March through April timeframe. Then, the deserts heat up as the spring progresses and the wildflowers will die off. With additional rainfall expected in Southern California into early April, it does appear that the wildflowers may put on another spectacular show for residents and tourists.

 Some of the greatest wildflower shows in the deserts of Southern California occurred in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2023, so they don’t occur every year. With an expected new La Niña, the cooler-than-normal sea-surface temperature event, late this year, the chances of another superbloom in 2025 are lower as drier than normal conditions are predicted for Southern California.

 According to visitidaho.org, there are locations in our state to view the spring display of wildflowers. These regions include Sun Valley, Stanley, Pettit Lake, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh and Cathedral Pines. The best times to view these spring wildflowers are around early- to mid-June. There should also be some nice displays in our region as well, especially in the higher mountains and national forests. In Coeur d’Alene, Tubbs Hill will often showcase a wide range of colorful flowers during the early spring season.

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Contact Randy Mann at randy@longrangeweather.com.