California drought update: State sees further improvements

In up to date data launched Thursday morning, the U.S. Drought Monitor decided extra of California is formally out of an ongoing drought. That is an enchancment over excellent news from final week.

The Central Valley and the Central Coast each noticed important expansions of the drought-free zone that was first indicated final week.

Monterey, Madera, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties are actually formally drought-free after final week’s map labeled japanese parts as abnormally dry.

Kings and Fresno counties are actually formally out of the drought.

About half of Kern County was labeled final week as abnormally dry and half was nonetheless in reasonable drought standing. This week’s latest data signifies the western portion of Kern County is drought-free, and central and japanese parts are actually abnormally dry.

San Benito and Merced counties additionally noticed important enchancment, with massive components now out of drought.

Most of L.A. County is abnormally dry. San Bernardino County improved to “reasonable drought” standing in massive parts from earlier “extreme drought.” Inyo County additionally noticed enhancements.

The remainder of the state remained largely the similar as final week, which was an enchancment from the state’s ongoing statewide drought.

Robust storm exercise from January by March this yr introduced much-need rain and added to snowpack ranges throughout the state.