California is Entirely Drought-Free for the First Time in 25 Years.
Following 25 long years, no portion of California is experiencing dryness. This milestone comes on the heels of grueling years marked by below-average rain that worsened wildfire risks and pressured its huge agribusiness.
A Chart Reveals Zero Dryness
The latest assessment from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that all of California is free from dry or drought conditions. This development came after a period of heavy precipitation that topped up key lakes like the state's largest lakes exceeding their long-term norms.
“To those aged 25 and below you’ve always lived in a world where California has been entering or recovering from drought,” remarked a climate scientist.
Following Powerful Weather to Wet Holidays
The path to this point featured intense and deadly winter storms that struck the state in the not-too-distant past, leading to significant overflow, power outages, and tragic losses. While those storms started to mitigate the drought, they did not eliminate it.
Until late December, areas like northeastern California were deemed abnormally dry. Substantial precipitation at the start of the new year finally erased those remaining dry spots.
Essential Mountain Snowfall Presents a Challenge
However, experts warn that being out of drought should not be confused with being out of the woods. Latest data of the mountain snow accumulation indicate it is roughly seven-tenths of the historical norm.
This mountain snow, which provides about a third of the state's usable water as it melts in the spring, is a critical factor for future water availability. State experts stress that it is not yet time to determine the outlook for the months ahead.
“The current pattern right now is a higher ratio of rain to snow,” commented a hydrology section chief. “Our hope is for the snow accumulation to increase by April 1st so that we’re closer to average.”
While the drought map indicates no dryness, attention turns to preserving this positive water situation for the months to come.
