California is Completely Drought-Free for the First Instance in a Quarter Century.
After a quarter-century span, not a single part of California is experiencing drought conditions. This milestone comes on the heels of grueling years marked by below-average rain that exacerbated fire dangers and strained its huge agribusiness.
A Map Indicates Zero Abnormally Dry Areas
The latest assessment from the national drought tracker confirmed that California in its entirety is free from drought or abnormal dryness. This shift resulted from a period of heavy precipitation that replenished water storage sites like Shasta and Oroville far beyond 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 weather expert.
From Intense Storms to Rainy Seasons
The path to this point involved powerful and fatal winter storms that pummeled the state in recent years, causing significant overflow, power outages, and tragic losses. Although that weather helped ease the drought, they did not eliminate it.
Until late December, areas like the state's northeast corner were still classified as abnormally dry. Heavy rains at the start of the new year finally erased those last vestiges of dryness.
Essential Mountain Snowfall Presents a Challenge
Yet, authorities caution that being out of drought does not mean having no water worries. Current readings of the mountain snow accumulation show it at only about 70% of the typical level.
This mountain snow, which supplies approximately 30% of the state's water supply as it thaws later in the year, is an essential component for future water availability. Hydrology managers have emphasized that it is too early to draw conclusions for the months ahead.
“The current pattern right now is more rain than snow,” commented a California water official. “The goal is the snow accumulation to pick up by 1 April so that we’re approaching the typical mark.”
Even as the official status is entirely green, attention turns to preserving this positive water situation for the months to come.
