California Drought Continues, Federal Weather Forecast Says

Northern California gets a lot of rain Forecast for this weekend But don’t get your hopes up that the drought will end.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among others, annual winter outlook, California said it expected “drier-than-normal conditions” this week. This suggests that one of the worst droughts on record will last his four years.

Officials said dry weather is expected in California, the southern Rockies, and much of the Midwest.

Winter forecasts are very important in California, as most of the rain and snow of the year usually occurs between January and March. But this year he had the driest period so far, the January-March period.

Officials at the California Department of Water Resources say preparations are already underway. ‘Extreme drought continues’ this winter. Folsom Lake, which supplies much of the Sacramento area, is 30% below average for this time of year. California’s largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, is 41% below average.

Drought wreaked havoc on agriculture and the environment, prompting tightening of urban areas Restrictions on outdoor watering. The sad state of the Sacramento River hurting salmon and other endangered fish. Farmers in the Sacramento Valley have been forced to give up about half of their rice crop this year. Residential wells are drying up in rural areas of the Central Valley. The drought has made much of California’s landscape vulnerable to wildfires.

Some climate scientists believe the latest drought wasn’t three years old.rather a continuation 20 Years of Massive Drought It may continue for the time being.

Despite the worsening situation, Gov. Gavin Newsom has rejected a 25% reduction in urban usage mandated by his predecessor, Jerry Brown, in 2015 and has imposed a statewide mandate to conserve water. It has resisted calls to impose. %, with mixed results.

The forecast for this weekend does not prevent drought. Light snow and rain are expected in the Sierra, according to the National Weather Service.

This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 11:00 am.