The Golden State is Entirely Free of Drought for the First Time in Two and a Half Decades.
After a quarter-century span, no portion of the state is experiencing water scarcity. This significant achievement comes on the heels of difficult years marked by insufficient rainfall that worsened fire dangers and challenged its huge agribusiness.
A Chart Indicates An Absence of Dryness
Thursday's report from the U.S. Drought Monitor confirmed that California in its entirety is free from dry or drought conditions. This shift resulted from multiple significant storms that helped fill key lakes like the state's largest lakes far beyond their historic averages.
“For anyone 25 or under you’ve always lived in a world where California has been grappling with drought,” remarked a climate scientist.
From Intense Storms to Soggy Celebrations
Achieving this status featured intense and deadly winter storms that pummeled the state in recent years, leading to widespread flooding, power outages, and deaths. Although that weather started to mitigate the drought, they weren't enough to erase it completely.
Even into late December, areas like the state's northeast corner were considered unusually parched. Heavy rains at the beginning of January washed away those final dry conditions.
A Crucial Snowpack Presents a Challenge
However, hydrologists note that being out of drought does not mean having no water worries. Latest data of the high-elevation snow indicate it is roughly seven-tenths of the historical norm.
This mountain snow, which accounts for a significant portion of the state's water as it thaws later in the year, is a key piece for the year ahead. Hydrology managers point out that it is premature to make predictions for the months ahead.
“The trend we’re looking at right now is more rain than snow,” commented a state water resources manager. “The goal is the snow accumulation to improve by April 1st so that we’re closer to average.”
Even as the official status shows a clean slate, the next challenge is to preserving this positive water situation for the rest of the year.
