What does California rain, snow mean for drought conditions?
For the first time in nearly two years, the entire state of California is not experiencing “abnormally dry” conditions — though most of it is. The U.S. Drought Monitor, in a weekly update published Thursday, reports 99.36% of the state in at least an “abnormally dry” status, as of Jan. 17, down from 100% a week ago. Better news: None of the state is in “extreme” or “exceptional” drought. In the northwest corner of the state, the majority of Del Norte County is drought free. A move in the needle, however slight, means the string of heavy rainstorms have temporally improved drought conditions. It does not mean the drought is over.
Related articles:
- San Francisco Chronicle: California’s Del Norte County is almost fully out of drought
- Los Angeles Times: Did the recent winter storms bring Big Bear Lake back to full capacity?
- CBS – Bay Area: Shasta Lake level rise thrills local recreation business operators
- Santa Cruz Sentinel: Editorial | Drought? Why it still lingers after rains