Summer Takes the Day Off

The rain fell in thick droplets this afternoon as Berkeley retreated indoors for unseasonable respite. Showers will continue into the evening, with a chance of thunderstorms.

Summer is expected to creep lazily back to work tomorrow with a cloudy but dry day and evening fog. 

The U.S. National Weather Service is expecting rainfall totals for most locations to be between 0.10 and 0.25 inches, which means that the Bay Area has seen rainier June days in summers past.

But the rain doesn't just cost us a summer's day. It also carries a hefty price tag on a national level.

According to a study authored by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and published by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, unexpected rain storms and cooler-than-average days can add up to a yearly cost of as much as $485 billon in the United States. Every sector of the economy is sensitive to changes with the weather, according to the study, including finance, manufacturing, and agriculture.

"From wind-driven wildfires, to the timeliness of airplane take-offs and landings, to peak demand for electricity in a hot summer, weather affects every aspect of our lives, and our economy," said Sarah Ruth, program director in NSF's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences.

At Berkeley's many coffee houses, the cost is empty patio seating and a second-wind for hot drinks.