California is Completely Free of Drought for the First Instance in a Quarter Century.
For the first time in 25 years, no portion of the state is facing dryness. This milestone comes on the heels of difficult years marked by below-average rain that intensified wildfire risks and challenged its huge agribusiness.
A Map Shows No Dryness
A recent update from the federal monitoring program confirmed that all of California is free from any level of drought. This change came after weeks of significant storms that topped up major reservoirs like Shasta and Oroville well above their typical levels.
“For anyone 25 or under you’ve always lived in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” stated a weather expert.
Following Powerful Weather to Rainy Seasons
Achieving this status featured severe and lethal winter storms that pummeled the state in the not-too-distant past, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and fatalities. Even though those events began to alleviate the drought, they fell short of ending it.
Even into late December, areas like Modoc County were still classified as experiencing dryness. Subsequent downpours at the start of the new year washed away those last vestiges of dryness.
A Crucial Snowpack Remains a Concern
Yet, experts warn that being out of drought should not be confused with being out of the woods. Recent measurements of the Sierra Nevada snowpack show it at roughly seven-tenths of the historical norm.
This mountain snow, which accounts for about a third of the state's usable water as it thaws later in the year, is an essential component for long-term water security. Water officials point out that it is not yet time to determine the outlook for the annual water supply.
“What we are observing right now is a higher ratio of rain to snow,” explained a state water resources manager. “The goal is the snow accumulation to improve by April 1st so that we’re approaching the typical mark.”
Even as the official status indicates no dryness, the next challenge is to preserving this precious water balance during the months to come.
