The Totals Are In: Central Contra Costa's Rainfall Was 26 Percent of Normal in 2013

If you're feeling a little parched as this year comes to a close, there's a reason.

On Tuesday, Central Contra Costa County -- and the rest of Northern California -- finished 2013 with the driest rainfall year on record.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported its rain gauges on Mount Diablo recorded 6.56 inches of precipitation for 2013.

That's 26 percent of the average total of 25.04 inches for the mountain, the only station in Central County.

The total was also more than 2 inches below the previous record of 8.91 set in 1976.

NOAA officials said there were record dry years at all 27 of its Bay Area stations. The agency has been keeping records since 1917.

As low as it was, the Central County area still fared better than 17 other regions.

The lowest on the NOAA list was Gilroy, which received 2.56 inches of rain this year. That's 12 percent of normal and more than 8 inches below its previous record of 11.18 inches.

Oakland received 4.24 inches of rain, 18 percent of normal and well below the previous record of 10.02 inches.

The only two areas with more than 10 inches were Muir Woods and Occidental in the North Bay.

Muir Woods received 12.69 inches, 33 percent of normal. Occidental got 15.45 inches, 27 percent below its normal of 56 inches per year.