In late 2009 and early 2010, El Nino conditions brought increased amounts of rainfall to both Northern and Southern California.  Often striking in two to seven year intervals, El Nino, or El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), occurs when westward tropical winds weaken or reverse direction. The reversal causes surface water to warm, bringing the violent Northwestern winter storms southward to California.
              While Southern Californians dread or fear the rainfall, the water the storms provide is very beneficial to us. Prolonged drought conditions that have plagued California in recent years are beginning to lessen and outright vanish thanks to these storms that become more centered on Northern California than would be otherwise. With Northern California coming out of drought conditions, Southern California water restrictions are lessening. However, at the current amount of rainfall we saw this year, it will still take four more years for Southern California to be out of drought conditions, provided it happens one after another which hasn't been the case since the period of 1990-1994. 
            Though the increased rainfall is welcomed, there are a few concerns for Californian’s and students that one needs to be aware of. First, fire danger will be more prevalent after an El Nino, in the La Nina period where we suffer droughts because of all the vegetation that arrives after an El Nino. Second, in areas where we have had fires that swept through before the El Nino, mudslide danger is high because of a lack of roots to keep soil from being eroded. For students of Orange Glen, there isn’t much cover to shield students from the rains at lunchtime. Also, rainfall causes increased traffic in California, due to overly careful and crazy drivers alike, which delays students from getting to school on time.
            Many are pleased that the rainfall will be lessening drought restrictions going forward. El Nino's have been increasing in frequency upwards of 60% in the last 50 years due to global warming. However, all this newfound water does bring concerns. Susan Hartman, the environmental science teacher, states, “We use it for agriculture, drinking water, for hydro-energy, and construction. More people consuming water means more demand.”
            Hartman goes on to say that the Southwestern states share the same water from the Colorado River. The increased rainfall is sure to bring new water management concerns because with so much of it now, there is going to be debate over who gets how much. The El Nino rains are a good thing for students of Orange Glen and Californians; it brings increased rainfall to a drought-stricken state.