The Golden State is Fully Free of Drought for the First Instance in a Quarter Century.
For the first time in 25 years, no portion of the state is experiencing drought conditions. This milestone arrives after difficult years marked by below-average rain that exacerbated fire dangers and strained its massive agricultural sector.
An Update Indicates No Abnormally Dry Areas
The latest assessment from the national drought tracker showed that California in its entirety is without dry or drought conditions. This development resulted from a period of above-normal rainfall that helped fill key lakes like Shasta and Oroville exceeding their long-term norms.
“To those aged 25 and below you’ve only known in a world where California has been grappling with drought,” remarked a climate scientist.
Following Powerful Weather to Rainy Seasons
Achieving this status featured intense and deadly winter storms that pummeled the state in recent years, causing significant overflow, electrical failures, and deaths. Although that weather began to alleviate the drought, they weren't enough to erase it completely.
As late as late December, pockets like the state's northeast corner were considered abnormally dry. Heavy rains at the start of the new year washed away those remaining dry spots.
Essential Mountain Snowfall Presents a Challenge
Yet, experts warn that being out of drought is not the same as complete water security. Current readings of the mountain snow accumulation show it at approximately 70 percent of the typical level.
This snowpack, which supplies approximately 30% of the state's water supply as it runs off, is a key piece for the year ahead. Water officials have emphasized that it is premature to draw conclusions for the coming year.
“The current pattern right now is more rain than snow,” commented a California water official. “Our hope is for the snow accumulation to improve by April 1st so that we’re approaching the typical mark.”
Even as the official status is entirely green, the focus now shifts to preserving this positive water situation throughout the coming seasons.