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For First Time in Months, California Isn’t Totally in Drought

Pacific storms take the edge off drought conditions in parched state.

Fishermen along the shore of Nicasio Reservoir after a rainstorm in Nicasio, California, on Nov. 3, 2021. — Fishermen along the shore of Nicasio Reservoir after a rainstorm in Nicasio, California, on Nov. 3, 2021.
Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

By

Brian K Sullivan

January 6, 2022, 9:14 PM UTC

The rain and snow that swept parts of California in the past three months are making a small dent on the drought in the parched state.

A total 99.3% of California was classified to be in drought as of Jan. 4, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. That marks the first time the state has fallen below 100% drought conditions since May, driven by changes around Del Norte County in the northwest corner of the state.