The Golden State is Fully Free of Drought for the First Time in a Quarter Century.

Following 25 long years, not a single part of the state is facing drought conditions. This milestone follows challenging years marked by a lack of precipitation that exacerbated fire dangers and strained its massive agricultural sector.

A Chart Indicates An Absence of Dryness

A recent update from the national drought tracker illustrated that all of California is free from dry or drought conditions. This change resulted from weeks of significant storms that topped up major reservoirs like Oroville and Shasta well above their historic averages.

“For anyone 25 or under you’ve always lived in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” noted a local meteorologist.

After Severe Systems to Rainy Seasons

Achieving this status featured severe and lethal winter storms that struck the state in the not-too-distant past, resulting in extensive inundation, blackouts, and tragic losses. Even though those events helped ease the drought, they fell short of ending it.

Even into late December, regions like northeastern California were deemed abnormally dry. Substantial precipitation at the start of the new year finally erased those final dry conditions.

A Crucial Snowpack Is Below Average

But, hydrologists note that the end of drought status is not the same as complete water security. Latest data of the high-elevation snow indicate it is approximately 70 percent of the average for this date.

This snowpack, which provides approximately 30% of the state's water supply as it melts in the spring, is a critical factor for the year ahead. Water officials point out that it is premature to draw conclusions for the annual water supply.

“What we are observing right now is a higher ratio of rain to snow,” commented a hydrology section chief. “Our hope is for the snow accumulation to improve by April 1st so that we’re nearer to normal.”

While the drought map indicates no dryness, the focus now shifts to sustaining this precious water balance during the rest of the year.