After a quarter-century span, no portion of California is experiencing dryness. This significant achievement comes on the heels of grueling years marked by a lack of precipitation that worsened fire dangers and challenged its huge agribusiness.
A Map Reveals Zero Drought
A recent update from the federal monitoring program illustrated that the entire state is without dry or drought conditions. This change resulted from weeks of above-normal rainfall that topped up water storage sites like Shasta and Oroville exceeding their historic averages.
“For anyone 25 or under you’ve always lived in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” remarked a climate scientist.
From Intense Storms to Soggy Celebrations
The journey here included severe and lethal winter storms that pummeled the state in recent years, resulting in extensive inundation, blackouts, and fatalities. Although that weather started to mitigate the drought, they fell short of ending it.
As late as late December, pockets like the state's northeast corner were still classified as unusually parched. Substantial precipitation at the start of the new year eliminated those final dry conditions.
Essential Mountain Snowfall Remains a Concern
But, hydrologists note that being out of drought is not the same as having no water worries. Latest data of the Sierra Nevada snowpack place it at approximately 70 percent of the average for this date.
This snowpack, which provides approximately 30% of the state's water supply as it runs off, is an essential component for the year ahead. State experts have emphasized that it is not yet time to make predictions for the annual water supply.
“The trend we’re looking at right now is more rain than snow,” said a California water official. “Our hope is for the snow accumulation to improve by April 1st so that we’re approaching the typical mark.”
While the drought map is entirely green, attention turns to preserving this positive water situation throughout the coming seasons.
