California suffering through driest three years ever recorded, with no relief in sight
Californians have been experiencing their driest year ever. An ongoing drought, which has persisted for the better part of three years now, has resulted in nearly the worst drought in California history. As of press time, it had been five years since the state had not received enough rain for normal growing conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“This drought has been very, very challenging. I’ve never seen a drought that was deeper in California,” said state climatologist John Combs, who regularly posts drought maps on the California Drought Monitor. The drought has persisted throughout the state, with parts of the Central Valley and coastal areas in the state in their worst drought conditions in decades.
The drought has stretched across the entire Central Valley. The dry situation has been compounded by several factors, including a low precipitation outlook.
“While we anticipated an extreme drought on the Central Valley, we are now in deep trouble in much of the state,” said U.S. Drought Team leader Dr. Ed Alford. “At this point it’s looking like 2013 is on pace to be the driest year ever in California, with water reserves in the region being critically low.”
In his post on the drought, Alford pointed out that there are several reasons why last years drought lingers longer than one might think:
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation, which influences El Nino-like weather patterns, is weakening, bringing a little more moisture into the system, making it a perfect match for California’s drought.
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation, which influences El Nino-like weather patterns, is weakening, bringing a little more moisture into the system, making it a perfect match for California’s drought. The El Nino cycle is currently at a low phase, which means less water flowing in the Pacific Ocean.
is currently at a low phase, which means less water flowing in the Pacific Ocean. Climate change has had an effect at a local level, but hasn’t been very noticeable at the scales of the state and the larger world.
has had an effect at a local level, but hasn’t been very noticeable at the scales of the state and the larger world.