Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow
Tremendous rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought, but low groundwater levels remain a persistent problem, U.S. Drought Monitor data showed Thursday. The latest survey found that moderate or severe drought covers about 49% of the state, nearly 17% of the state is free of drought or a condition described as abnormally dry. The remainder is still abnormally dry. “Clearly the amount of water that’s fallen this year has greatly alleviated the drought,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles. “It has not ended the drought completely but we’re in a very different place than we were a year ago.” California’s latest drought began in 2020 and no relief appeared in sight heading into this winter.
Related articles:
- Los Angeles Times: Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows
- Mercury News: Drought is now over in more than half of California, including the Bay Area, feds say
- Sacramento Bee: Most of California exits drought after latest storms. Interactive map shows where
- San Francisco Chronicle: California reservoir levels - Here’s where they are after winter storms
- San Francisco Chronicle: Map shows stunning improvement in California drought
- Ojai Valley News: Rain drowns drought | Lake Casitas now 50.2% full
- Forbes: Parts Of California Out Of Drought—But Experts Still Warn Drought Conditions Will Remain
