California is Entirely Free of Drought for the First Instance in a Quarter Century.
Following 25 long years, not a single part of the state is experiencing water scarcity. This landmark event follows grueling years marked by below-average rain that intensified blaze threats and pressured its huge agribusiness.
A Chart Reveals An Absence of Dryness
The latest assessment from the U.S. Drought Monitor illustrated that all of California is clear of dry or drought conditions. This development resulted from multiple above-normal rainfall that helped fill major reservoirs like the state's largest lakes well above their typical levels.
“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.
After Severe Systems to Wet Holidays
The journey here featured intense and deadly winter storms that battered the state in the not-too-distant past, causing extensive inundation, power outages, and tragic losses. While those storms helped ease the drought, they did not eliminate it.
As late as late December, areas like the state's northeast corner were considered experiencing dryness. Heavy rains at the beginning of January finally erased those last vestiges of dryness.
The Vital Sierra Snow Presents a Challenge
Yet, authorities caution that the end of drought status is not the same as complete water security. Current readings of the mountain snow accumulation show it at approximately 70 percent of the typical level.
This snowpack, which supplies a significant portion of the state's water supply as it melts in the spring, is a key piece for long-term water security. State experts have emphasized that it is not yet time to draw conclusions for the annual water supply.
“What we are observing right now is more rain than snow,” said a hydrology section chief. “We’d like to see the snow accumulation to pick up by April 1st so that we’re nearer to normal.”
Although the monitor is entirely green, the next challenge is to maintaining this hard-won hydrological health for the months to come.
