California is Completely Free of Drought for the First Instance in 25 Years.
For the first time in 25 years, no portion of California is enduring drought conditions. This landmark event follows challenging years marked by a lack of precipitation that intensified blaze threats and strained its huge agribusiness.
A Chart Indicates No Abnormally Dry Areas
Thursday's report from the national drought tracker illustrated that California in its entirety is clear of drought or abnormal dryness. This change was driven by a period of heavy precipitation that topped up key lakes like Shasta and Oroville exceeding their long-term norms.
“If you’re 25 or younger you’ve always lived in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” noted a weather expert.
Following Powerful Weather to Wet Holidays
The journey here involved severe and lethal winter storms that pummeled the state in recent years, leading to extensive inundation, blackouts, and tragic losses. Even though those events started to mitigate the drought, they fell short of ending it.
Even into late December, regions like northeastern California were considered experiencing dryness. Subsequent downpours at the start of the new year washed away those final dry conditions.
A Crucial Snowpack Presents a Challenge
However, authorities caution that being out of drought does not mean being out of the woods. Recent measurements of the high-elevation snow place it at approximately 70 percent of the typical level.
This mountain snow, which supplies about a third of the state's water as it melts in the spring, is a key piece for future water availability. State experts point out that it is not yet time to draw conclusions for the months ahead.
“The current pattern right now is more rain than snow,” said a state water resources manager. “The goal is the snow accumulation to pick up by the start of April so that we’re nearer to normal.”
Even as the official status is entirely green, attention turns to maintaining this positive water situation throughout the rest of the year.
