đ Share this article The Golden State is Fully Free of Drought for the First Instance in a Quarter Century. Following 25 long years, not a single part of the state is experiencing drought conditions. This landmark event arrives after difficult years marked by below-average rain that worsened blaze threats and strained its massive agricultural sector. An Update Reveals Zero Drought The latest assessment from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that California in its entirety is clear of any level of drought. This shift was driven by a period of above-normal rainfall that helped fill water storage sites like Shasta and Oroville well above their historic averages. âFor anyone 25 or under youâve spent your life in a world where California has been grappling with drought,â noted a climate scientist. After Severe Systems to Rainy Seasons Achieving this status featured intense and deadly winter storms that struck the state in the not-too-distant past, leading to widespread flooding, power outages, and deaths. Even though those events helped ease the drought, they did not eliminate it. Even into late December, regions like northeastern California were still classified as unusually parched. Heavy rains at the beginning of January washed away those final dry conditions. Essential Mountain Snowfall Presents a Challenge Yet, hydrologists note that drought-free conditions does not mean being out of the woods. Recent measurements of the high-elevation snow show it at approximately 70 percent of the typical level. This mountain snow, which accounts for a significant portion of the state's water as it runs off, is a key piece for future water availability. Hydrology managers have emphasized that it is not yet time to draw conclusions for the months ahead. âThe current pattern right now is more rain than snow,â said a California water official. âWeâd like to see the snow accumulation to improve by April 1st so that weâre approaching the typical mark.â While the drought map shows a clean slate, the focus now shifts to sustaining this positive water situation for the months to come.
Following 25 long years, not a single part of the state is experiencing drought conditions. This landmark event arrives after difficult years marked by below-average rain that worsened blaze threats and strained its massive agricultural sector. An Update Reveals Zero Drought The latest assessment from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that California in its entirety is clear of any level of drought. This shift was driven by a period of above-normal rainfall that helped fill water storage sites like Shasta and Oroville well above their historic averages. âFor anyone 25 or under youâve spent your life in a world where California has been grappling with drought,â noted a climate scientist. After Severe Systems to Rainy Seasons Achieving this status featured intense and deadly winter storms that struck the state in the not-too-distant past, leading to widespread flooding, power outages, and deaths. Even though those events helped ease the drought, they did not eliminate it. Even into late December, regions like northeastern California were still classified as unusually parched. Heavy rains at the beginning of January washed away those final dry conditions. Essential Mountain Snowfall Presents a Challenge Yet, hydrologists note that drought-free conditions does not mean being out of the woods. Recent measurements of the high-elevation snow show it at approximately 70 percent of the typical level. This mountain snow, which accounts for a significant portion of the state's water as it runs off, is a key piece for future water availability. Hydrology managers have emphasized that it is not yet time to draw conclusions for the months ahead. âThe current pattern right now is more rain than snow,â said a California water official. âWeâd like to see the snow accumulation to improve by April 1st so that weâre approaching the typical mark.â While the drought map shows a clean slate, the focus now shifts to sustaining this positive water situation for the months to come.