SEVENTEEN Atmospheric Rivers?!
An article in my newsfeed last night caught my eye. "California’s snowpack soars to record high after 17 atmospheric rivers" (Washington Post, 30 Mar 2023).
SEVENTEEN atmospheric rivers?! Ten days earlier I read we'd only had a record-crushing 12. Well, we didn't get 5 more in a week and a half. I can only conclude different sources count them differently. BTW: my explainer on what an atmospheric river is. TLDR: It's a big rainstorm.
The Post article notes that the water content in California's snowpack is at 235% of normal. That's great news as it helps head off prolonged drought. That snow, as it melts, flows into rivers and reservoirs, feeding the state. The water also seeps into the ground, replenishing groundwater levels that were dangerously depleted the past few dry years.
Speaking of drought, the latest from the US Drought Monitor - California map is even better than when I compared charts a week ago. Is California totally out of drought conditions? No. But most of the state is, and with the snowpack in the mountains we're definitely in decent shape for the rest of this year. We're likely good for next year, too, even if next year's a dry one. But the thing is, drought isn't just a this-year-or-next problem. It's becoming a bigger and bigger long term challenge.
SEVENTEEN atmospheric rivers?! Ten days earlier I read we'd only had a record-crushing 12. Well, we didn't get 5 more in a week and a half. I can only conclude different sources count them differently. BTW: my explainer on what an atmospheric river is. TLDR: It's a big rainstorm.
The Post article notes that the water content in California's snowpack is at 235% of normal. That's great news as it helps head off prolonged drought. That snow, as it melts, flows into rivers and reservoirs, feeding the state. The water also seeps into the ground, replenishing groundwater levels that were dangerously depleted the past few dry years.
Speaking of drought, the latest from the US Drought Monitor - California map is even better than when I compared charts a week ago. Is California totally out of drought conditions? No. But most of the state is, and with the snowpack in the mountains we're definitely in decent shape for the rest of this year. We're likely good for next year, too, even if next year's a dry one. But the thing is, drought isn't just a this-year-or-next problem. It's becoming a bigger and bigger long term challenge.