California is Completely Free of Drought for the First Instance in a Quarter Century.

After a quarter-century span, every region of the state is enduring dryness. This significant achievement comes on the heels of challenging years marked by a lack of precipitation that intensified blaze threats and strained its enormous farming industry.

A Map Reveals An Absence of Abnormally Dry Areas

The latest assessment from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that all of California is clear of dry or drought conditions. This development was driven by multiple above-normal rainfall that replenished water storage sites like the state's largest lakes well above their long-term norms.

“If you’re 25 or younger you’ve always lived in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” remarked a weather expert.

From Intense Storms to Wet Holidays

Achieving this status involved powerful and fatal winter storms that struck the state in the not-too-distant past, resulting in significant overflow, electrical failures, and deaths. While those storms helped ease the drought, they weren't enough to erase it completely.

As late as late December, areas like Modoc County were deemed abnormally dry. Substantial precipitation at the beginning of January finally erased those last vestiges of dryness.

The Vital Sierra Snow Presents a Challenge

But, hydrologists note that drought-free conditions should not be confused with being out of the woods. Current readings of the Sierra Nevada snowpack show it at only about 70% of the historical norm.

This frozen reservoir, which provides approximately 30% of the state's usable water as it melts in the spring, is a key piece for the year ahead. State experts point out that it is too early to make predictions for the months ahead.

“The trend we’re looking at right now is increased rainfall over snowfall,” commented a hydrology section chief. “The goal is the snow accumulation to increase by April 1st so that we’re closer to average.”

Although the monitor shows a clean slate, the focus now shifts to sustaining this hard-won hydrological health during the coming seasons.