The series of atmospheric rivers slamming the Northern San Joaquin Valley has prolonged the “snow” season in Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon.

Typically, when almonds start blooming in mid-February, the temperature starts rising and soft white — and some pink — petals start falling blanketing the ground within weeks.

The cold weather has extended the “fall” time somewhat meaning “Manteca snow” could blanket the ground until the arrival of spring next Monday.

And — in case you’re wondering — after what is now the 11th atmospheric river of the winter finishes dropping up to 2 inches of rain on the valley floor, up to 4 inches of rain in the foothills, and as much as 48 additional inches on the Sierra before it finishes up on Wednesday — more wet weather is in the forecast for this upcoming weekend.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for a chance of showers at various times from Friday afternoon through Sunday night.

The temperature range is projected to be between the high 40s and low 60s.

As of Monday, 20.66 inches of rain has fallen in Manteca, Ripon, and Lathrop since July. That is 195 percent of the normal 10.58 inches for the time period.

The current total reflects 154 percent of the normal 13.45 inches the area receives during a full rain season from July 1 to June 30.

The elevation of the San Joaquin River at the Airport Way bridge 10 miles south of Manteca was at 24.36 feet on Monday at 7 p.m.

That compares to the highest reading in at least 10 years that occurred on Jan. 18 when the gauge reached 25.68 inches.

Art imitates life

The annual “snow” that the falling almond blossoms create inspired one of the Manteca Mural Society’s more than two dozen murals that grace downtown locations.

Mural artist Dave Gordon created the “Manteca Snow” mural on the 100 block of Manteca Avenue across from Library Park.  

Gordon’s design involves a gigantic window that looks out on an almond orchard in full bloom. Three kids are shown having a great time playing in the “snow” while there are whimsical touches such as a finch, a beehive, and a coffee cup.

Two of those kids depicting in the mural that was completed in 2009 represent the likeness of cousins Micky Carroll and Diego Juarez.

Manteca Mural society founder Tom Wilson noted in 2009 that he remembered first coming to Manteca in the spring of 1977 and seeing the blossoms in bloom. Wilson called it a “compelling and beautiful sight to anyone who sees it for the first time.”

 The idea to do a mural depicting almond blossoms is credited to society member Jana Kattenhorn who, in 2009, was a relatively newcomer to Manteca when  she moved Del Webb neighborhood. She’s also credited with dubbing the mural “Manteca Snow.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com

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