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The US Drought Monitor for California is updated every Thursday, so the graphic below displays information only through December 30, 2022. Rain and snow since then should further improve the drought outlook in Orange County and across the State of California.
Even without the recent rains, at a moderate drought level Orange County is in better shape than surrounding Counties.
The entire state is abnormally dry. At least moderate drought conditions grip 97.9% of the State — a tiny corner in the extreme northwest and another pocket southeast are better off. Severe drought conditions cover most of the middle of California from the northern border to almost the southern border of Los Angeles County, with a finger extending into Riverside County. Extreme Drought conditions are a narrower stripe through the central portion of the State.
Extreme Drought conditions hold from around Fresno south to the northern border of Los Angeles County, about 7.2% of the State.
The recent string of storms brings good news. According to the East Bay Times, the Sierra snowpack is already 160% above normal for this time of year, and more storms are on the way.
Although portions of Orange County gets its water from local sources, those wells and recycled water are supplemented by imported water from the Sierra and the Colorado River. All those sources need replenishing from a robust rainy season.
Let’s just hope that the rest of the year does not turn stingy with rain and snow.
