"California is completely drought-free for the first time in a quarter of a century, a significant development in a state that endured grueling years with insufficient rainfall. Over the last 25 years, drought conditions in California have intensified the state's wildfire crisis and created challenges in its massive agricultural sector. But a few wet years, and a recent spate of winter storms, helped bring the state out of drought."
"The development came after weeks of above-normal rainfall that helped fill reservoirs in the state, including lakes Shasta and Oroville, far beyond their historic averages. The December holiday season has been one of the wettest on record for parts of southern California. In 2005 and 2011, the state saw periods with less than 1% of abnormal dryness, noted the National Drought Mitigation Center, the academic partner of the US Drought Monitor."
"Intense and deadly winter storms pummeled California in 2023, inundating the state with rain and hurricane-force winds that toppled trees and flooded rivers, left thousands without power, and led to more than 20 deaths. Months earlier, the state had been under significant water conservation rules. The barrage of storms that year helped ease the state's drought, but didn't eliminate it."
California is entirely free of drought for the first time since 2000 after a series of wet years and recent winter storms. Weeks of above-normal rainfall filled major reservoirs, including lakes Shasta and Oroville, to well above historic averages. A US Drought Monitor map showed no part of the state with drought or abnormal dryness. Heavy rains during the December holiday season and intense 2023 winter storms contributed to the recovery. Past years such as 2005 and 2011 saw minimal abnormal dryness. Despite the drought-free designation, risks remain and officials caution that the state may not be entirely out of long-term water stress.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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