Sierra Snowpack @ 25%, 129 Million Dead Trees As CA Teeters On Edge Of Another Full-On Drought

[hatrack]

The lack of rain and snow in California has people wondering if we're headed into another drought. There’s less than 25 percent of the average amount of snow in the Sierra Nevada. That on its own could incite drought panic.

Lauren Bisnett with the California Department of Water Resources says the saving grace is last year’s storms, which filled up state reservoirs. For example, Bisnett says, “Shasta Reservoir is at 74 percent of capacity.” Another way to look at it, she explained is that “it’s at 102 percent of average full."

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With 129 million dead pine trees across the state, Tim Brown, with the Western Regional Climate Center, says there will be more big fires. Dry weather means lots of dry brush acting as fuel. "Should we have another hot summer that will further increase the potential for flammability,” Brown said.

He also explained that there's still a chance of a wet spring, but that the chances are dwindling. Because of that, he says Southern California is still under significant fire activity. "Those same areas that had the severe fires in December, like the Thomas Fire, are highlighted actually through May at this point,” he said. “And as we approach summer we'll see the areas of significant fire potential increase across the state."

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http://www.capradio.org/articles/2018/02/07/is-california-entering-another-drought-experts-answer-your-questions/

[hunter]

1. Drove past a farm today they had their sprinklers running... it's an ominous sight in February.

This is usually a month of mud here in California.

We have neighbors who are watering their lawns.