Posted on 01/18/2016 1:29:16 PM PST by nickcarraway
It's an El Niño winter, and the news is full of rain, sleet, and snow. If only California was as well.
Precipitation so far in this wet winter that is supposed to save us from the worst drought of our lifetimes is only slightly above "normal" — and in some parts of California, including the southern Sierra, precipitation is still below normal.
Think about that. The long-awaited wet weather event has, so far, just barely pushed things to around what's supposed to be "normal."
This may be a hard fact to fathom this weekend, as you drive through more rain in order to reach the snowed-in approaches to Lake Tahoe — lucky you; drive safely — but other scientists agree. The four-year drought that's seen reservoirs and groundwater supplies dry up is not over — not unless several more El Niños follow on this one's heels.
In fact, according to one U.C. Berkeley researcher, the state may never recover from the drought. First, let's take a peek at conditions as of now.
That dark red splotch of the worst-possible drought conditions? That's most of us.
As for the dire prediction that very dry may be the new normal, that's from Berkeley professor B. Lynn Ingram, one of the two authors of a book, The West Without Water, which predicts just such a dire, dry future.
Ingram thinks that rainfall for the 2015-2016 water year — the rainy period that normally runs from October to April — will be at 170 percent of normal. That's wet — very wet. But that won't make up for the four preceding exceptionally dry years, and it also won't help next year, when some scientists believe a dry La Niña will appear.
"We’re in a water deficit of at least two years in most of California," Ingram told Berkeley News's Anne Brice. "This means we would need more than a year of precipitation like this."
"It’s not likely we’ll come out of this drought. With climate change, California and the Southwest are predicted to get drier overall with warmer weather and, subsequently, more evaporation," she added. "Even with a wetter season this year, even next year, the climate is very likely to continue to be drier."
The idea that a dry future is connected to climate is gaining traction.. in some circles. This week, President Barack Obama announced a temporary halt to new leases to coal miners wishing to dig on federal lands.
Climate change was, predictably and unfortunately, utterly absent from last night's Republican presidential debate.
Ping
“We’re all going to die” alert.
Is that part of the country supposed to be arid?
The Democrat solution is import more people to drain what’s left of the very limited water supply.
Sure...... Damn global warming again! And his name ain’t Fuchs for nuttin’!
They have a long coast line on the largest body of water in the world. But the enviro-whackos won’t let them exploit it.
Lack of new water storage due to the environmentalists. Wastage of water for landscapes, particularly in the southern part of the state. Water “rights” for endangered species. Massive influx of illegals into the state. Yeah, my state is definitely not on track to fix our long-term water issues.
Never is a very long time.
What kind of scientist says “never”?
Is this the worst drought California has ever had? No, it is not. So a reversal of the current drought is more likely than not.
It’s been drier than normal the last few years. Even some perennial creeks are dried up. It’s dry out there. But droughts happen, and floods happen.
It’s been drier than normal the last few years. Even some perennial creeks are dried up. It’s dry out there. But droughts happen, and floods happen.
not to worry
after the earth quakes, drought won’t matter
Cali just needs more illegals to come and urinate upon it. Enrichment says the Dems.
Another predition destined to be wrong.
The California snowpack at one location was 136% of normal.
This has been a decent season. San Diego is in better shape than they have been in four years, due to recent rains.
Weather is cyclical. Who knew?
IMO, it’s something like the stock market. Just when you think stocks are going to continue in the same direction indefinitely, they go the other way.
We will survive.
King CloneA ring of creosote bushes that are estimated to be 11,700 years old. Lucerne Valley, California
Gee, I wonder how long desert/drought conditions have existed in California?
Bingo. Droughts happen. Floods happen. What makes it worse is our state government has long followed a course that will make droughts hurt us worse. They will happen, so if we plan for them, they won’t be that bad.
Good. Until they stop wasting water on the stupid delta smelt and tearing down dams “because”, they deserve everything they get.
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