FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The Department of Water Resources releases its annual water year recap.
2018 showed below-average precipitation, the DWR says it indicative of California’s ongoing transition to a warmer climate.
The statewide snowpack — measured on April 1, 2018 — and based on more than 260 snow courses — was just 58 percent of average, a dramatic drop from almost 160 percent of average in 2017.
Record-breaking wildfires struck the state, and record breaking heat over the summer for the South Coast.
Much of Southern California ended up with half or less than half of its average annual precipitation.
Despite dry conditions, an atmospheric river event in April produced the 10th largest flood on the Merced River (above), impacting Yosemite National Park.
The DWR says most reservoirs are storing near or above-average levels of water heading into the 2019 water year, which runs from October 1, 2018 until September 30, 2019.
The State says Californians should be prepared for the possibility of a wet or a dry year.
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
