California is Completely Drought-Free for the First Instance in 25 Years.
Following 25 long years, not a single part of the state is enduring drought conditions. This milestone comes on the heels of grueling years marked by insufficient rainfall that intensified blaze threats and challenged its enormous farming industry.
A Chart Shows An Absence of Abnormally Dry Areas
Thursday's report from the federal monitoring program illustrated that California in its entirety is clear of dry or drought conditions. This change came after a period of above-normal rainfall that helped fill major reservoirs like Shasta and Oroville well above their long-term norms.
“To those aged 25 and below you’ve only known in a world where California has been entering or recovering from drought,” remarked a climate scientist.
From Intense Storms to Wet Holidays
Achieving this status involved intense and deadly winter storms that pummeled the state in recent years, causing widespread flooding, electrical failures, and fatalities. While those storms started to mitigate the drought, they fell short of ending it.
Even into late December, pockets like Modoc County were considered experiencing dryness. Substantial precipitation at the beginning of January finally erased those final dry conditions.
A Crucial Snowpack Is Below Average
Yet, experts warn that being out of drought should not be confused with complete water security. Recent measurements of the Sierra Nevada snowpack place it at roughly seven-tenths of the average for this date.
This mountain snow, which supplies approximately 30% of the state's usable water as it melts in the spring, is a key piece for long-term water security. Hydrology managers have emphasized that it is not yet time to determine the outlook for the annual water supply.
“The current pattern right now is a higher ratio of rain to snow,” commented a hydrology section chief. “The goal is the snow accumulation to improve by 1 April so that we’re closer to average.”
Even as the official status shows a clean slate, the next challenge is to maintaining this hard-won hydrological health for the coming seasons.
