đ Share this article California is Completely Drought-Free for the First Time in Two and a Half Decades. Following 25 long years, every region of the state is experiencing dryness. This significant achievement follows difficult years marked by below-average rain that exacerbated blaze threats and pressured its huge agribusiness. A Map Shows Zero Abnormally Dry Areas Thursday's report from the national drought tracker illustrated that the entire state is free from any level of drought. This development resulted from a period of above-normal rainfall that replenished key lakes like Shasta and Oroville far beyond their typical levels. âIf youâre 25 or younger youâve only known in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,â remarked a climate scientist. After Severe Systems to Soggy Celebrations The journey here involved severe and lethal winter storms that pummeled the state in the not-too-distant past, resulting in widespread flooding, blackouts, and deaths. While those storms started to mitigate the drought, they did not eliminate it. Until late December, regions like Modoc County were still classified as abnormally dry. Heavy rains at the beginning of January finally erased those remaining dry spots. Essential Mountain Snowfall Is Below Average But, hydrologists note that the end of drought status is not the same as complete water security. Recent measurements of the Sierra Nevada snowpack indicate it is only about 70% of the average for this date. This snowpack, which accounts for a significant portion of the state's water supply as it melts in the spring, is an essential component for long-term water security. Hydrology managers stress that it is too early to make predictions for the coming year. âThe trend weâre looking at right now is more rain than snow,â commented a state water resources manager. âThe goal is the snow accumulation to increase by April 1st so that weâre nearer to normal.â Although the monitor shows a clean slate, the next challenge is to sustaining this hard-won hydrological health throughout the rest of the year.
Following 25 long years, every region of the state is experiencing dryness. This significant achievement follows difficult years marked by below-average rain that exacerbated blaze threats and pressured its huge agribusiness. A Map Shows Zero Abnormally Dry Areas Thursday's report from the national drought tracker illustrated that the entire state is free from any level of drought. This development resulted from a period of above-normal rainfall that replenished key lakes like Shasta and Oroville far beyond their typical levels. âIf youâre 25 or younger youâve only known in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,â remarked a climate scientist. After Severe Systems to Soggy Celebrations The journey here involved severe and lethal winter storms that pummeled the state in the not-too-distant past, resulting in widespread flooding, blackouts, and deaths. While those storms started to mitigate the drought, they did not eliminate it. Until late December, regions like Modoc County were still classified as abnormally dry. Heavy rains at the beginning of January finally erased those remaining dry spots. Essential Mountain Snowfall Is Below Average But, hydrologists note that the end of drought status is not the same as complete water security. Recent measurements of the Sierra Nevada snowpack indicate it is only about 70% of the average for this date. This snowpack, which accounts for a significant portion of the state's water supply as it melts in the spring, is an essential component for long-term water security. Hydrology managers stress that it is too early to make predictions for the coming year. âThe trend weâre looking at right now is more rain than snow,â commented a state water resources manager. âThe goal is the snow accumulation to increase by April 1st so that weâre nearer to normal.â Although the monitor shows a clean slate, the next challenge is to sustaining this hard-won hydrological health throughout the rest of the year.