California is Completely Free of Drought for the First Time in 25 Years.
Following 25 long years, not a single part of California is experiencing drought conditions. This milestone comes on the heels of grueling years marked by below-average rain that worsened blaze threats and pressured its huge agribusiness.
A Chart Indicates An Absence of Abnormally Dry Areas
A recent update from the national drought tracker showed that California in its entirety is free from any level of drought. This change was driven by weeks of heavy precipitation that helped fill water storage sites like Shasta and Oroville well above their long-term norms.
“To those aged 25 and below you’ve spent your life in a world where California has been entering or recovering from drought,” remarked a local meteorologist.
From Intense Storms to Soggy Celebrations
Achieving this status involved intense and deadly winter storms that pummeled the state in recent years, causing significant overflow, blackouts, and tragic losses. While those storms started to mitigate the drought, they did not eliminate it.
As late as late December, pockets like Modoc County were deemed experiencing dryness. Substantial precipitation at the beginning of January washed away those last vestiges of dryness.
Essential Mountain Snowfall Is Below Average
But, authorities caution that being out of drought does not mean complete water security. Latest data of the mountain snow accumulation place it at only about 70% of the historical norm.
This frozen reservoir, which supplies about a third of the state's water supply as it runs off, is a critical factor for long-term water security. State experts point out that it is too early to make predictions for the months ahead.
“The current pattern right now is more rain than snow,” said a California water official. “The goal is the snow accumulation to pick up by April 1st so that we’re approaching the typical mark.”
While the drought map shows a clean slate, the next challenge is to preserving this hard-won hydrological health during the coming seasons.
