Will a third straight La Nina year worsen the drought in California?
Although we’re currently mired in the dog days of summer, it’s time to look ahead to the rainy season. The state thirsts for a wet winter, with extreme drought existing in just under 60% of California. Below-average rain and snow have plagued the state the last couple of years, coinciding with La Niña conditions and expanding drought conditions. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) currently puts the odds of a third straight La Nina year at 62-66%. With an exceedingly rare “triple dip” La Niña expected, what can we expect for our water year that begins in October?