As of October 17, the State of California is finally free from drought. This comes after California experienced one of its best water years (October 1 to September 30 annually) in recorded history, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Drought Monitor. California Water Watch reports that the 22/23 water year yielded 141% of the statewide annual average precipitation. All this precipitation, of course, brought with it an unforgettable winter season for California ski areas with several resorts such as Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, and Heavenly experiencing their snowiest winters on record. The snowpack left behind from the winter resulted in a massive spring and summer runoff that has filled reservoirs across the state and even led to the re-emergence of Tulare Lake, once the largest lake west of the Mississippi River.
The last time the drought monitor reflected no drought conditions in California was August 20, 2019, which was followed by three dry water years from 2019 to 2022. During this time, the drought reached its most severe point the week of August 17, 2021, with 100% of the state in a drought. That week saw 48.97% of the state classified as experiencing “exceptional drought”—the state’s most extreme classification—and 95.58% of the state as at least in a “severe drought.” Even on October 25, 2022, just under a year before completely emerging from the drought, 91.83% of California was in at least a “severe drought.”
The news of a drought-free state should come as a welcome relief for Californians as well as many throughout the country, as the drought brought with it the most devastating wildfire seasons in modern U.S. history. According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, the 2020 California wildfire season was the worst on record with over 4,300,000 acres burned and 33 lives lost. The 2021 season saw over 2,500,000 acres burned, the second most on record. These fires destroyed countless family homes and devastated communities throughout the state, forcing many to start over. In addition, smoke from the fires spread far and wide for months, choking cities throughout the West Coast and inducing a haze over the East Coast—even reaching as far as Europe. For now, the current wet conditions throughout the state have granted a relative reprieve from the smoky, often hazardous air quality that Californians have become accustomed to in the summer.
The current 2023/24 California water year has started slow with 58% of the historical average precipitation to date, as of November 23. However, there is reason to be optimistic about this year’s potential precipitation and snowfall, with the impending El Niño winter favoring above-average precipitation for the southwestern U.S. Much of California does not currently have significant precipitation in the forecast, so time will tell if parts of the state fall back into a drought or not. Regardless, it sure is great to see how the past year helped California rebound from several years of worrisome dry weather and downright terrifying fire seasons. Here’s hoping for another wet year for the Southwest as well as other drought-stricken areas. Pray for snow!
