By Annette Guerrero
Staff Writer
It never rains in Southern California. Except this year, thanks to El Niño.
Approximately every ten to fifteen years El Niño, which is an increase in rain throughout the region due to the increase of the temperature in the Pacific Ocean, occurs.
El Niño affects a range of locations around the world, but it brings a significant increase of storms to California.
According to CNN.com, the first storms brought upon by El Nino hit the last week of January and the storm pattern is expected to continue to bring at least one storm about every ten days until late March.
Southern California is expected to get rain beginning Thursday. There are warnings of mudslides in areas that suffered from brush fires last summer.
This upcoming storm is supposed to bring eight to ten inches of rain.
The last storm was just about the same, but not everyone was prepared for it, especially the students at Bishop Amat.
The walkways between the 100 and 300 wings had to be taped off because they were flooded with ankle-high water.
Student reactions were mixed about the wet weather.
“Sometimes I like the rain, but I hate walking into the puddles and getting all wet,” said senior Jose Hernandez.
The sopping shoes of the students made screeching sounds against the hallway tiles.
“I hate the rain,” senior Margarita Robles said. “My shoes get all wet and dirty. My feet are always cold too.”
Every student rushed to class trying to avoid the rain. Well, nearly every student.
“As for the whole storms thing, I love the rain,” senior Robert Casillas said laughing. “I don’t mind it being cold because it was so hot before. Plus I like seeing people miserable from the rain.”
Students ate lunch in the class rooms and layered themselves. Student drivers drove with extra caution because nothing else creates traffic like a huge downpour of rain.
“When driving, I definitely have to be more cautious of my surroundings since visibility is hindered,” said senior Ashley Goodwin. “I generally have to leave a few minutes earlier to travel to my destination since traffic slows.”
Rain increases drive times as well.
“It effects my transportation because I have to leave before it rains harder,” Hernandez said.
Students are not used to reoccurring rain storms, but they are thrilled with all of the commotion.
“I was so excited with the storm,” Goodwin said. “The rain, thunder, lightning are all so interesting. I am so enthralled with listening to the sounds and guzzling upon the sky.”
The hillsides around Los Angeles are green and flowers are in bloom.The mountains have new layers of white snow and the winter air is crisp.The students at Bishop Amat are getting used to the wet winter El Nino brings.
