California is Fully Free of Drought for the First Time in 25 Years.
After a quarter-century span, no portion of California is experiencing dryness. This significant achievement comes on the heels of difficult years marked by below-average rain that exacerbated blaze threats and strained its huge agribusiness.
A Chart Shows An Absence of Drought
Thursday's report from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that California in its entirety is free from any level of drought. This shift was driven by multiple above-normal rainfall that replenished water storage sites like Oroville and Shasta far beyond their typical levels.
“If you’re 25 or younger you’ve spent your life in a world where California has been entering or recovering from drought,” stated a weather expert.
From Intense Storms to Soggy Celebrations
Achieving this status included intense and deadly winter storms that battered the state in recent years, resulting in extensive inundation, blackouts, and fatalities. While those storms began to alleviate the drought, they did not eliminate it.
As late as late December, areas like the state's northeast corner were deemed abnormally dry. Subsequent downpours at the start of the new year finally erased those last vestiges of dryness.
A Crucial Snowpack Is Below Average
But, hydrologists note that drought-free conditions is not the same as having no water worries. Current readings of the Sierra Nevada snowpack indicate it is only about 70% of the typical level.
This mountain snow, which accounts for approximately 30% of the state's water supply as it runs off, is a key piece for future water availability. State experts stress that it is too early to draw conclusions for the months ahead.
“The trend we’re looking at right now is more rain than snow,” explained a hydrology section chief. “We’d like to see the snow accumulation to increase by the start of April so that we’re nearer to normal.”
Although the monitor is entirely green, the focus now shifts to maintaining this positive water situation during the months to come.
