Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times
9 months ago

Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times

LA Times  

A wet February weekend, as shown in this Feb. 4 photo of the Grammy Awards ceremony at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, gave way to a wet March as the 2024 Southern California rainy season drew to a close. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power captured and stored more than 13.5 billion gallons of stormwater in February compared with 8.4 billion gallons during the same period last year. Knowing that drought will return, the State Water Resources Control Board last year floated tough urban conservation rules, but backed off earlier this month in the face of strong opposition. It’s encouraging that a state court this month upheld the water board’s rules requiring that agricultural uses take less water in order to keep those rivers flowing. Even if the tunnel project moves forward, though, the water it would bring Los Angeles would never be enough to meet our needs — not without first making the best possible use of every drop already at our disposal.

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History of this topic

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year
1 week, 4 days ago

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year

LA Times  

By this time of year, Southern California has usually recorded some measurable rainfall. If the rains don’t come and the winds do, he said, “that will keep us in high fire season.” Two recent stretches of dangerous Santa Ana winds played out exactly the way forecasters worried they would, fueling the flames of major fires across coastal Southern California. “Down …

A weak La Niña could bring dry conditions to parts of Southwest this winter, NOAA says
2 months, 1 week ago

A weak La Niña could bring dry conditions to parts of Southwest this winter, NOAA says

LA Times  

A weak La Niña is forecast to appear this winter and affect weather patterns across the country, likely bringing drier-than-average conditions in much of the Southwest and wetter-than-average conditions in the Pacific Northwest, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Drought is not favored to develop in California at the current time, but it’s something we will be watching …

As La Niña strengthens, forecasters warn of a potential return to drought
4 months, 1 week ago

As La Niña strengthens, forecasters warn of a potential return to drought

LA Times  

As La Niña gathers strength in the tropical Pacific, forecasters are warning that the climate pattern could plunge California back into drought conditions in the months ahead. “Drought episodes do wane and redevelop, and a lot of that is associated with La Niña,” said Brad Pugh, a meteorologist with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Nathan Lenssen, a climate scientist at the …

Amid extreme heat, California adopts long-term water-saving targets for cities
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Amid extreme heat, California adopts long-term water-saving targets for cities

LA Times  

Welcome to Boiling Point. of California Water Agencies, which represents more than 470 public agencies, said the new rules will be challenging to meet and will require a “whole statewide effort to change the way that we use water in California.” She said the additional five years will be important for achieving the long-term goals. One National Weather Service meteorologist …

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California
6 months, 1 week ago

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California

LA Times  

After a year of dominance, El Niño’s wrath has come to end — but its climate-churning counterpart, La Niña, is hot on its heels and could signal a return to dryness for California. “La Niña generally results in cooler global mean temperatures,” L’Heureux said in an email. “The tilt toward increased chances of below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures for the …

L.A. County captures 96 billion gallons of water during ‘super year’ of storms
7 months, 1 week ago

L.A. County captures 96 billion gallons of water during ‘super year’ of storms

LA Times  

Heavy rains this winter and spring sent torrential flows down local creeks and rivers, and L.A. County managed to capture and store a significant amount of that stormwater, officials say. Capturing more stormwater and reducing reliance on imported water are among the main goals of L.A. County’s water plan, which the Board of Supervisors adopted in December. By 2045, the …

L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?
8 months, 1 week ago

L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?

LA Times  

California’s second wet winter in a row has left L.A.’s water supplies in good shape, and the city has used its reprieve from drought to make progress on water-saving infrastructure projects. After the state’s final snow survey of the season, officials with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced that Eastern Sierra snowpack is measuring 103% of normal, …

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues
8 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues

LA Times  

A jogger and palm trees are reflected in a pool of standing rain along the beach path as a late-season storm moves out of Southern California on Sunday in Santa Monica. That wet pattern has continued as winter has given way to spring, with this past weekend’s storm dumping up to 4 inches of rain in some areas — pushing …

Opinion: California has to conserve water. Why is Sacramento dragging its heels?
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Opinion: California has to conserve water. Why is Sacramento dragging its heels?

LA Times  

State law set in motion a process of setting of standards for indoor and outdoor water use that utilities and consumers can meet in flexible ways. That legislation established a framework for creating long-term water-use efficiency standards for urban water suppliers that would govern indoor use, allowable water loss and outdoor use. Because the water board’s latest plan for implementing …

California doubles State Water Project allocation thanks to February storms
9 months ago

California doubles State Water Project allocation thanks to February storms

LA Times  

On the heels of a soaking start to 2024, state water managers on Friday announced a considerable increase in their forecasted water allocation for the year. “Mid- to late February storms have since improved hydrological conditions particularly for Northern California, allowing for a more robust water supply allocation,” the agency said in a statement. Nemeth said similarly that “DWR continues …

California is letting billions of gallons of stormwater wash out to sea each year, report finds
9 months, 3 weeks ago

California is letting billions of gallons of stormwater wash out to sea each year, report finds

LA Times  

For too long, California and other states have viewed stormwater as either a threat or an inconvenience — something to be whisked away from cities and communities as quickly as possible. It’s time to elevate the role of stormwater capture in the national water conversation,” said Bruk Berhanu, the report’s lead author and a senior researcher with the Pacific Institute, …

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?
10 months ago

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — After a dry start to winter, California’s rainy season is finally well under way. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print WHAT ABOUT SNOW? A man shovels snow off his car in the Cleveland National Forest, on Feb. 7, 2024, in eastern San …

Los Angeles Just Proved How Spongy a City Can Be
10 months ago

Los Angeles Just Proved How Spongy a City Can Be

Wired  

Earlier this month, the future fell on Los Angeles. Like other urban areas around the world, in recent years LA has been transforming into a “sponge city,” replacing impermeable surfaces, like concrete, with permeable ones, like dirt and plants. With traditional dams and all that newfangled spongy infrastructure, between February 4 and 7 the metropolis captured 8.6 billion gallons of …

La Niña on the horizon? California’s wild weather year could get even weirder
10 months, 2 weeks ago

La Niña on the horizon? California’s wild weather year could get even weirder

LA Times  

Storm-soaked California is still in the clutches of a wet El Niño winter, but in an unexpected plot twist, La Niña could be hot on its heels. “Taken all together, that’s why we issued the watch.” La Niña tends to favor the opposite pattern of El Niño, L’Heureux said. Climate change is also exerting more influence on conditions in California …

California is in a ‘snow drought.’ Why this week’s atmospheric rivers won’t be enough to end it
10 months, 3 weeks ago

California is in a ‘snow drought.’ Why this week’s atmospheric rivers won’t be enough to end it

LA Times  

Despite forecasts of heavy rain and possible flooding in the coming days, state water managers are warning that the “snow drought” in California’s Sierra Nevada could remain for the rest of the winter and into the spring. Swain said while it’s hard to predict how the snowpack will turn out, this year could end up with a below-average snowpack “because …

California isn’t prepared for turbocharged storms like the ones we’re getting this week
10 months, 3 weeks ago

California isn’t prepared for turbocharged storms like the ones we’re getting this week

LA Times  

As a series of major winter storms sweep over the West Coast this week, anxious Californians are looking back at the flash floods and the “thousand-year” deluge that shocked San Diego a week ago, and Oxnard a few weeks earlier, wondering what’s in store. Starting Tuesday night, and then again on Sunday, two “atmospheric river” systems will bring high winds …

Slow-moving Pacific storm threatens to bring California flooding and mudslides
1 year ago

Slow-moving Pacific storm threatens to bring California flooding and mudslides

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Heavy rains drenched parts of California on Wednesday, bringing the threat of flooding and mudslides as millions of people geared up for holiday travel, the National Weather Service said. “I guess buying presents for the holidays is just that important.” At Whiskey & Leather in Montecito, near coastal Santa Barbara northwest of Los Angeles, manager Karina Cota …

Officials urge California residents to brace for flooding as El Niño looms
1 year, 2 months ago

Officials urge California residents to brace for flooding as El Niño looms

LA Times  

With California facing the prospect of a second consecutive winter of heavy precipitation, state officials are urging residents to prepare for possible widespread flooding and evacuations in the coming months. Among the efforts is the Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project, a $280-million endeavor that, in conjunction with a weir widening project from the Army Corps of Engineers, will send …

A warm, wet El Niño winter is in store for California and much of the U.S.
1 year, 2 months ago

A warm, wet El Niño winter is in store for California and much of the U.S.

LA Times  

After a blistering summer of record heat, raging wildfires and unpredictable storms, federal scientists on Thursday said a warm, wet winter driven by El Niño is in store for California and much of the rest of the country. “The anticipated strong El Niño is the predominant climate factor driving the U.S. winter outlook this year,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of …

California is now practically drought-free, but we keep wasting so much rainwater
1 year, 3 months ago

California is now practically drought-free, but we keep wasting so much rainwater

LA Times  

A driver whose car stalled out on flooded Avenue 48 asks for help from a passerby during Tropical Storm Hilary. He still called Hilary’s rainfall “an unexpected boon” for Southern California’s local water supplies, but said too much of the storm’s water washed away — the latest reminder of the state’s urgent challenge to better capture rainwater to help refill …

Editorial: Drought and flood, California’s double whammy
1 year, 8 months ago

Editorial: Drought and flood, California’s double whammy

LA Times  

Just as federal officials were laying out alternative scenarios last week for steep water supply cuts from the Colorado River due to the drying Southwest, California officials were warning that this year’s historic Sierra snowpack could flood much of the state later this year. Lake Mead, and farther up the Colorado River, Lake Powell — Southern California’s two big out-of-state …

Major storm caps California’s wet season with more rain, winds, snow
1 year, 8 months ago

Major storm caps California’s wet season with more rain, winds, snow

LA Times  

David Jannesn takes a selfie next to the raging Los Angeles river near Los Feliz Boulevard during a break from Wednesday’s rain. More rain, wind and mountain snow pelted California on Wednesday as a cold storm swirled over the soaked state, capping a soggy March and one of the most prodigious wet seasons in recent memory. The weather service has …

California ends some water limits after storms ease drought
1 year, 8 months ago

California ends some water limits after storms ease drought

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Gavin Newsom ended some of the state's water restrictions …

Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow
1 year, 9 months ago

Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Tremendous rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought, but low groundwater levels remain a persistent problem, U.S. Drought Monitor data showed Thursday. “Clearly the amount of water that’s fallen this year has greatly alleviated the drought,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles. “The …

California drought levels recede in the face of winter storms
1 year, 9 months ago

California drought levels recede in the face of winter storms

Al Jazeera  

About half of the state has been lifted out of drought conditions by a series of storms that have drenched the region. California has seen drought levels recede after a series of winter storms pummeled the western United States with snow and rainfall, a boon to a state where extreme drought and water access have been a persistent concern. As …

Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows
1 year, 9 months ago

Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows

LA Times  

California’s remarkably wet winter has helped ease drought conditions considerably, with large swaths of the state — including the coast of Humboldt County, much of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada and the Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu — no longer considered to be in drought, according to federal officials. According to their mapping, which includes data on hydrology, soil moisture …

Epic winter storm turns Southern California snow white; more rain and snow on the way
1 year, 9 months ago

Epic winter storm turns Southern California snow white; more rain and snow on the way

LA Times  

Vandi Mahoney watched television images of snow falling across parts of Southern California the last few days as a massive winter storm moved through the region, but on Sunday she just had to see it for herself. It’s not the scenery of the snow itself but just the beauty of Los Angeles: the clouds, the sky, the sun, and on …

California storms improve initial federal water allocations
1 year, 10 months ago

California storms improve initial federal water allocations

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — After early winter storms put a dent in California’s drought, officials Wednesday cautiously announced a jump in initial allocations of federally controlled water to agricultural, municipal and industrial users of the Central Valley Project system. Nine atmospheric river storms from late December into January greatly improved the water supply outlook following three years of record drought, U.S. …

With all this rain and snow, can California really still be in a drought? Look deeper
1 year, 10 months ago

With all this rain and snow, can California really still be in a drought? Look deeper

LA Times  

Lake Oroville, seen at the beginning of February, is one of the state’s largest reservoirs and currently at 71% capacity following the January storms. “We’re in better shape than we were two months ago, but we’re not out of the woods.” California Photos: Two atmospheric river storms descend on California California’s deadly storm season continued Friday as the first of …

Why epic California rains might not prevent a dangerous fire season ahead
1 year, 10 months ago

Why epic California rains might not prevent a dangerous fire season ahead

LA Times  

It’s something of a Golden State paradox: Dry winters can pave the way for dangerous fire seasons fueled by dead vegetation, but wet winters — like the one the state has seen so far — can also spell danger by spurring heaps of new growth that can later act as fuel for flames. “The dice are loaded for a weak …

California winter storms boost water allocations for cities
1 year, 10 months ago

California winter storms boost water allocations for cities

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Weeks of historic rainfall in California won’t be enough to end a severe drought, but it will provide public water agencies serving 27 million people with much more water than the suppliers had been told to expect a month ago, state officials announced Thursday. “We’re not out of drought in California, but this certainly makes a significant …

California to get major boost in water supplies after January storms
1 year, 10 months ago

California to get major boost in water supplies after January storms

LA Times  

California water agencies that serve 27 million people will see an increased allocation of supplies from the state after a series of winter storms boosted reservoirs and snowpack, officials announced Thursday. “But make no mistake, while the recent storms will help alleviate the acute emergency in areas dependent on supplies from the State Water Project, Southern California’s water challenges are …

‘Dry’ California got big rains. Was it really an epic weather forecasting fail?
1 year, 11 months ago

‘Dry’ California got big rains. Was it really an epic weather forecasting fail?

LA Times  

Gabriell Lambert cleans out her car, which was flooded by muddy water that came down a hillside in Studio City on Jan. 10. For instance, during La Niña seasons since the 1950s, coastal Southern California got just 80% of its average annual rainfall, while the San Francisco Bay Area got 93%, according to Null’s website. “The bottom line is that …

California storms feed systems set up to capture rainwater
1 year, 11 months ago

California storms feed systems set up to capture rainwater

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — As Californians tally the damage from recent storms, some are taking stock of the rainwater captured by cisterns, catches, wells and underground basins — many built in recent years to provide relief to a state locked in decades of drought. Pestrella, the county’s public works chief, said the stormwater captured over the past few weeks could be …

New storms move into Southern California, bringing wet, hazardous holiday weekend
1 year, 11 months ago

New storms move into Southern California, bringing wet, hazardous holiday weekend

LA Times  

A woman watches a wave crash over the Redondo Beach breakwater Wednesday as storms in the Pacific created big swells. The first of two holiday weekend storms delivered a solid punch Saturday to an already beaten and soggy Southland, battering the coast with high surf, threatening more flooding and stretching emergency services. “It’s been a wild couple of weeks,” said …

California flooding: More storms forecast for weekend as experts warn heavy rain won’t fix drought
1 year, 11 months ago

California flooding: More storms forecast for weekend as experts warn heavy rain won’t fix drought

The Independent  

✕ Close Drone video of flooded Felton in Santa Cruz County Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain …

California downpours won't fix decades of drought: Scientists
1 year, 11 months ago

California downpours won't fix decades of drought: Scientists

The Hindu  

Near-record rainfall has battered California for weeks, sparking floods and landslides as the state struggles to cope with so much water. But scientists say even this much precipitation won't reverse the western US state's decades-long drought. Aquifers in deficit Beyond its reservoirs and snow reserves, the state faces a much deeper-seated problem with its depleted groundwater, says Nicholas Pinter, a …

EXPLAINER: How much will the rain help California’s drought?
1 year, 11 months ago

EXPLAINER: How much will the rain help California’s drought?

Associated Press  

California has experienced a devastating, multi-year drought that’s depleted reservoirs, forced officials to plead with residents to conserve water and constrained supplies to vital farmland. And the rain and snow won’t be enough to fix some of California’s long-term water problems that climate change is making worse. “What we’ve got so far puts us in good shape, probably for at …

Will California’s extreme storms offset its years-long drought?
1 year, 11 months ago

Will California’s extreme storms offset its years-long drought?

Al Jazeera  

The US state has been hit by heavy rain and flooding, but experts warn it may not be enough to counteract climate change. Located on the West Coast of the United States, California — the country’s most populous state — has experienced a devastating, multiyear drought that has depleted reservoirs, forced officials to plead with residents to conserve water and …

California’s dilemma: How do you harness an epic amount of rain in a water-scarce state? Let it flood, scientists say
1 year, 11 months ago

California’s dilemma: How do you harness an epic amount of rain in a water-scarce state? Let it flood, scientists say

CNN  

CNN — California has gone from extreme drought to extreme flooding in a matter of days. “That will allow us to capture more of these flood flows, store it underground in these aquifers, and then use those ground water resources when we need them in dry years.” Many climate experts agree – using levees to prevent floods during the wet …

California gets brief lull after damaging ‘bomb cyclone’
1 year, 11 months ago

California gets brief lull after damaging ‘bomb cyclone’

Associated Press  

CAPITOLA, Calif. — California weather calmed Friday but the lull was expected to be brief as more Pacific storms lined up to blast into the state, where successive powerful weather systems have knocked out power to thousands, battered the coastline, flooded streets, toppled trees and caused at least six deaths. Remnant showers from the latest storm, a “bomb cyclone,” fell …

L.A. lets rain flow into the Pacific Ocean, wasting a vital resource. Can we do better?
1 year, 11 months ago

L.A. lets rain flow into the Pacific Ocean, wasting a vital resource. Can we do better?

LA Times  

The Los Angeles River roared to life this week as a series of powerful storms moved through the Southland. “In a region that imports 60% of our water, it’s just a huge untapped potential for a local water supply,” said Bruce Reznik, executive director of L.A. Waterkeeper. “We have that dual mission: flood protection and supporting local water supply.” City …

Editorial: The drought is over now, right? (Spoiler alert: No)
1 year, 11 months ago

Editorial: The drought is over now, right? (Spoiler alert: No)

LA Times  

Patsy Costello, 88, sits trapped in her car in Pleasant Hill in Contra Costa County on New Year’s Eve. California Toddler killed, cities evacuated as massive storm lashes Northern California The intense downpours — coming after an earlier deluge days ago — pushed some rivers toward flood stage, prompting a string of evacuations from towns along the Russian River to …

California snowpack is far above average amid January storms, but a lot more is needed
1 year, 11 months ago

California snowpack is far above average amid January storms, but a lot more is needed

LA Times  

A series of atmospheric river storms has brought California heavy rains and above-average snowpack across the Sierra Nevada, but experts say the state still needs many more storms to begin to emerge from drought. “The significant Sierra snowpack is good news, but unfortunately these same storms are bringing flooding to parts of California,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the state …

Drought emergency declared for all Southern California
2 years ago

Drought emergency declared for all Southern California

LA Times  

As California faces the prospect of a fourth consecutive dry year, officials with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California have declared a regional drought emergency and called on water agencies to immediately reduce their use of all imported supplies. If we don’t have an extremely wet winter, we will need to elevate to our highest level — a water …

Recent storms give drought-weary California cause for hope, but will they continue?
2 years ago

Recent storms give drought-weary California cause for hope, but will they continue?

LA Times  

The Palisades Tahoe Resort, in the city of Olympic Valley, received more than 35 inches of snow over the recent weekend. “We’re going to wait and see how things play out moving forward, but I definitely would say there are some things to be optimistic about.” Simeral said soil moisture levels had also improved from the storms, especially around the …

Drought-hit California cities to get little water from state
2 years ago

Drought-hit California cities to get little water from state

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California water agencies that serve 27 million people will get just 5% of what they requested from the state to start 2023, water officials announced Thursday. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which services Los Angeles and much of Southern California, relies on the state for about one-third of its water supply. We can get through …

L.A. water use plummets during hot summer amid calls to conserve during drought
2 years, 1 month ago

L.A. water use plummets during hot summer amid calls to conserve during drought

LA Times  

Sprinklers run on the first day of drought-watering restrictions in Los Angeles in June. Amid a record-breaking drought and calls to drastically reduce water use across California, Los Angeles residents saved a staggering 6 billion gallons during the hottest months of the summer, officials announced Monday. “We’ve notched a 9% year-over-year reduction on top of what we had done in …

California braces for dry winter as Western drought drags on
2 years, 2 months ago

California braces for dry winter as Western drought drags on

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The past three years have been California’s driest on record and state officials said Monday that they’re preparing for the streak to continue. Though its impossible to predict with certainty what the winter will bring, “we are actively planning for another dry year,” said Jeanine Jones, drought manager for the state Department of Water Resources. Snow that …

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