California drought update: Map shows latest conditions as state braces for dangerous heat
Meteorologists forecast that the remainder of the summer will bring above-normal temperatures to California, which could worsen the state’s remaining drought.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there’s between 33% and 60% chance weather in California will be hotter than usual for this time of the year. NOAA outlooks show “equal” chances of above-normal, near-normal or below-normal rainfall for July and August. Meaning, according to the National Weather Service, there’s no clear indication of how much rain the state could receive.
One thing is certain: California is having a dangerously hot summer.
“Heat can exacerbate drought, and hot, dry conditions can, in turn, create wildfire conditions,” the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions wrote on its website. The heightened risk of fires this season is in lower-elevation grasslands, as moisture from winter storms is drying up faster than in the mountains, which saw record snow this year.
More vegetation in these areas can be fuel for flames.
In an emergency briefing Wednesday, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services focused on statewide efforts to combat the extreme heat coming this weekend.
In the Sacramento region, according to the National Weather Service, an excessive heat warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday. As of Thursday morning, temperatures are steadily climbing and are forecast to reach a high of 110 degrees by Saturday afternoon. The northern Sacramento Valley could hit 114.
Is California still in a drought?
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, California is roughly 94% drought-free.
The state is free of “severe,” “extreme,” and “exceptional” drought conditions for 14 weeks in a row.
The entire Central Valley, Central Sierra, Foothills, Northern California, the coast and most of Southern California have exited drought conditions.
As of Thursday, portions of three out of 58 counties, or roughly 6.3% of the state, are in “moderate” drought. In June, three counties or approximately 4.6% remained in drought.
The majority of the desert region is drought-free except for “moderate” conditions in parts of Inyo, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Nearly 892,800 people remain in drought areas, according to a Thursday update from the U.S. Drought Monitor — an increase over nearly 704,800 people in June and approximately 736,000 people in May.
In March, 5 million people lived in drought-stricken areas.
Whether the drought is over depends on where you are and the status of your water agency’s supply.
Roughly 28% of the state remains abnormally dry for the fifth week in a row.
The information used in this interactive map, collected from the U.S. Drought Monitor, was updated Thursday with data through July 11. Here are the drought conditions in California:
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