California is Entirely Free of Drought for the First Time in 25 Years.
After a quarter-century span, no portion of the state is facing dryness. This significant achievement follows difficult years marked by a lack of precipitation that worsened blaze threats and pressured its huge agribusiness.
A Map Indicates Zero Dryness
Thursday's report from the national drought tracker showed that all of California is clear of drought or abnormal dryness. This change resulted from a period of above-normal rainfall that helped fill water storage sites like the state's largest lakes exceeding their historic averages.
“If you’re 25 or younger you’ve only known in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” noted a weather expert.
Following Powerful Weather to Rainy Seasons
The path to this point included severe and lethal winter storms that struck the state in recent years, causing widespread flooding, electrical failures, and deaths. While those storms began to alleviate the drought, they did not eliminate it.
Until late December, regions like Modoc County were considered abnormally dry. Substantial precipitation at the beginning of January eliminated those remaining dry spots.
A Crucial Snowpack Is Below Average
However, authorities caution that drought-free conditions does not mean being out of the woods. Recent measurements of the mountain snow accumulation place it at only about 70% of the historical norm.
This mountain snow, which supplies approximately 30% of the state's water as it thaws later in the year, is a key piece for the year ahead. Water officials point out that it is not yet time to make predictions for the coming year.
“What we are observing right now is a higher ratio of rain to snow,” explained a state water resources manager. “Our hope is for the snow accumulation to pick up by the start of April so that we’re approaching the typical mark.”
While the drought map indicates no dryness, the next challenge is to maintaining this positive water situation for the rest of the year.
