For the First Time in 8 Years, California Is Officially Drought Free

A welcome break for a thirsty state.

Thanks to wetter then usual rain and snowstorms this winter and moderate to cool temperatures across the state (so far), the Golden State has finally emerged from previous drought conditions, with only 7% of California showing abnormal dryness. With fresh snowpacks, moist soil and near or full reservoirs, things look good for the state as we head into spring and summer.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “This time last year, 11 percent of California was in the normal zone of dryness, and half the state was still in some form of drought. But today, 93 percent of California has reached the normal classification, and no part of the state falls into the drought category.

“Precipitation gains from the United States’ wettest winter on record have extended into March. Six percent of the country is in some form of drought, compared with 10 percent a week ago. Nearly 5 million people now live in drought-affected areas, compared with almost 9.4 million last week.

“Until last week, a sliver of Siskiyou County, which takes up about 0.6 percent of the state, was still in the ‘moderate drought’ category.

“‘We were able to remove the last little bit of drought up in Northern California,’ Jessica Blunden, a climatologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”

Read more about California’s battle with drought here.