SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has been slammed by consecutive storms, and this train of storms has no end in sight.
The onslaught of rain and snow has caused extensive flooding in the Central Valley. The potential for dangerous, widespread flooding continues as more storms move in this weekend and beyond. Forecast rain amounts for the next seven days for the valley range from 3 to 6 inches and up to 8 inches for the foothills in Northern California.
The precipitation is no doubt helping California in terms of drought. The latest drought monitor, released Thursday, shows nowhere in California under exceptional drought conditions for the first time since last May.
According to the California Department of Water Resources, dry conditions have been off and on for years with records from previous geological ages showing significant dry periods going back more than 1,000 years. Some recent historical droughts were from 2012-2016, 2007-2009, and 1987-1992 among others.
Since the storm, other areas that saw improvements include the foothills, eastern Sacramento Valley, Bay area, and portions of the Coastal Range which all dropped one level in drought intensity. San Diego and Los Angeles sit in moderate drought currently with more wet weather headed south.
The data used to update the drought monitor is from Tuesday, so the latest bomb cyclone storm wasn't included. As the wet weather continues, short-term drought conditions will likely improve week by week.
Reservoir levels across the state are spiking in response to the massive runoff created by recent storms. Folsom lake is currently at 133% of its historical average and at 55% of total capacity.
Officials have been releasing water in response to the short-term forecast at Folsom. Shasta and Oroville, on the other hand, have more of a buffer compared to Folsom. Shasta and Oroville currently sit at 34% and 39% capacity respectively.
The state snowpack is currently at 179% of the average to date in what was supposed to be a dry winter due to a rare 'triple dip' La Niña.
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