Since last reported on 05/31/2026, received all measurable precipitation yesterday from a thunderstorm that developed right over us. This thunderstorm provided a beneficial 0.48" of gauge catch. Before yesterday's storm, the topsoil moisture was looking bleak with dry soil from the surface down to 4.0". I was contemplating providing additional water to the trees tomorrow. This single precipitation event changed everything. The grass is no longer looking stressed. The new growth on the Ponderosa Pines has lengthened even further. Wildlife is loving the moisture with birds pecking at the yard and even saw a Dragonfly and Monarch Butterfly this morning. Topsoil sample taken this morning shows moist soil from the surface down to 4.0" with much easier digging. Soil is soft and easily packs in my hand. 

Reviewing May 2026 precipitation summary. Measured 0.90" of daily precipitation and 0.45" of multi-day precipitation for a total of 1.35" of precipitation for May. NOAA Normal for May is 2.07" and 2.22" for a PRISM Normal. As a result, the month of May was 65% if NOAA Normal and 61% of PRISM Normal. Birds have been very active lately. Heard Meadowlark and Mourning Doves. Watched a Falcon soaring above yesterday. 

Although we have had no wildfires in our immediate area this past week, yesterday before the thunderstorm, a house about 1/2-mile south of our location had thick, black billowing smoke coming from an area adjacent to their house. Some of my family members drove down there and found the Falcon Fire Dept. extinguishing the fire quickly. I didn't see anything about it in the local news website. Apparently, the house was not on fire.

The rain yesterday was a nice turnaround from the conditions we had prior. With the recharged topsoil, I am revising the Condition Scale from Mildly Dry to Near Normal. If we had not received the precipitation yesterday, I was planning to change Condition Scale to Moderately Dry.