🔗 Share this article The Golden State is Entirely Free of Drought for the First Time in Two and a Half Decades. Following 25 long years, no portion of California is facing dryness. This landmark event comes on the heels of challenging years marked by below-average rain that worsened wildfire risks and challenged its huge agribusiness. An Update Indicates An Absence of Abnormally Dry Areas The latest assessment from the national drought tracker showed that California in its entirety is clear of dry or drought conditions. This change resulted from weeks of heavy precipitation that helped fill key lakes like Oroville and Shasta far beyond their typical levels. “For anyone 25 or under you’ve spent your life in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” noted a climate scientist. From Intense Storms to Wet Holidays The journey here included intense and deadly winter storms that struck the state in recent years, causing extensive inundation, blackouts, and tragic losses. Although that weather helped ease the drought, they weren't enough to erase it completely. Until late December, areas like the state's northeast corner were considered unusually parched. Heavy rains at the beginning of January finally erased those last vestiges of dryness. Essential Mountain Snowfall Remains a Concern Yet, experts warn that drought-free conditions does not mean having no water worries. Recent measurements of the mountain snow accumulation place it at roughly seven-tenths of the typical level. This mountain snow, which supplies a significant portion of the state's usable water as it runs off, is a critical factor for long-term water security. State experts point out that it is not yet time to make predictions for the months ahead. “What we are observing right now is a higher ratio of rain to snow,” commented a California water official. “Our hope is for the snow accumulation to improve by 1 April so that we’re approaching the typical mark.” Although the monitor shows a clean slate, attention turns to maintaining this positive water situation for the months to come.
Following 25 long years, no portion of California is facing dryness. This landmark event comes on the heels of challenging years marked by below-average rain that worsened wildfire risks and challenged its huge agribusiness. An Update Indicates An Absence of Abnormally Dry Areas The latest assessment from the national drought tracker showed that California in its entirety is clear of dry or drought conditions. This change resulted from weeks of heavy precipitation that helped fill key lakes like Oroville and Shasta far beyond their typical levels. “For anyone 25 or under you’ve spent your life in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” noted a climate scientist. From Intense Storms to Wet Holidays The journey here included intense and deadly winter storms that struck the state in recent years, causing extensive inundation, blackouts, and tragic losses. Although that weather helped ease the drought, they weren't enough to erase it completely. Until late December, areas like the state's northeast corner were considered unusually parched. Heavy rains at the beginning of January finally erased those last vestiges of dryness. Essential Mountain Snowfall Remains a Concern Yet, experts warn that drought-free conditions does not mean having no water worries. Recent measurements of the mountain snow accumulation place it at roughly seven-tenths of the typical level. This mountain snow, which supplies a significant portion of the state's usable water as it runs off, is a critical factor for long-term water security. State experts point out that it is not yet time to make predictions for the months ahead. “What we are observing right now is a higher ratio of rain to snow,” commented a California water official. “Our hope is for the snow accumulation to improve by 1 April so that we’re approaching the typical mark.” Although the monitor shows a clean slate, attention turns to maintaining this positive water situation for the months to come.