After Southern California’s spate of rare storms, is California’s drought over?
Although a barrage of rare storms has pummeled Southern California with rain, snow, and hail in recent weeks, the National Weather Service said it isn’t likely California’s drought will be over soon.
A Caltrans employee turns away a driver as they attempt to gain access to Wrightwood on Hwy. 2 near Hwy. 138 Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A loader clears snow off of Hwy. 2 in Wrightwood Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. The mountain community remains closed as crews work to clear roads following a second heavy snowstorm in the last week hit the area. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Wrightwood residents walk down a snow-covered street during a brief break in the weather on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Mountain High Ski Resort, near Wrightwood, has received 115 inches of snow in the last week. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Norma Miro, right, from La Puente, carries a large ball of snow as she and her husband Joel attempt to clear the driveway of the rental property in Wrightwood on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A Caltrans employee speaks with a driver as they attempt to gain access to Wrightwood on Hwy. 2 near Hwy. 138 Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Joel Miro, from La Puente, shovels snow out of the driveway of the rental property he shared with his family for the last week in Wrightwood on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Blowing snow crosses over Hwy. 2 near Hwy. 138 as a Caltrans employee watches while a vehicle covered in snow leaves the Wrightwood area on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A loader clears snow off of Hwy. 2 in Wrightwood Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. The mountain community remains closed as crews work to clear roads following a second heavy snowstorm in the last week hit the area. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A loader clears snow off of Hwy. 2 in Wrightwood Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. The mountain community remains closed as crews work to clear roads following a second heavy snowstorm in the last week hit the area. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Johah Dvorak and Anthony Cisneros, both 19, clear fresh snow off the patio and roof of the Mt. Baldy Lodge Restaurant in Mt. Baldy on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Johah Dvorak and Anthony Cisneros, both 19, clear fresh snow off the patio and roof of the Mt. Baldy Lodge Restaurant in Mt. Baldy on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Visitors jam Mt. Baldy Road as they visit the fresh snow just south of the Mt. Baldy Village on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The California Highway Patrol turns snow visitors around just below the Mt. Baldy Village Mt. Baldy on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Visitors jam Mt. Baldy Road as they visit the fresh snow just south of the Mt. Baldy Village on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Johah Dvorak and Anthony Cisneros, both 19, clear fresh snow off the patio and roof of the Mt. Baldy Lodge Restaurant in Mt. Baldy on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The California Highway Patrol turns snow visitors around just below the Mt. Baldy Village Mt. Baldy on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Johah Dvorak and Anthony Cisneros, both 19, clear fresh snow off the patio and roof of the Mt. Baldy Lodge Restaurant in Mt. Baldy on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Visitors jam Mt. Baldy Road as they visit the fresh snow just south of the Mt. Baldy Village on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. Hundreds showed up near the mountain community to enjoy the fresh snow jamming Mt. Baldy Road with traffic. Access to the Village and beyond are restricted to residents and essential personnel. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Joel Miro, from La Puente, shovels snow out of the driveway of the rental property he shared with his family for the last week in Wrightwood so they can move their vehicles on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. The mountain community remains closed as crews work to clear roads following a second heavy snow storm in the last week hit the area. Only residents and essential workers are being allowed into the area. Mountain High Ski Resort, near Wrightwood, has received 115 inches of snow in the last week. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A Caltrans employee speaks with a driver as they attempt to gain access to Wrightwood on Hwy. 2 near Hwy. 138 Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Norma Miro, from La Puente, shovels snow out of the driveway of the rental property she shared with her family for the week in Wrightwood so they can move their vehicles on Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. The mountain community remains closed as crews work to clear roads following a second heavy snowstorm in the last week hit the area. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A Caltrans employee speaks with a driver as they attempt to gain access to Wrightwood on Hwy. 2 near Hwy. 138 Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
David and Kelli Góra ‘s home is covered after a snowstorm in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)
David and Kelli Góra dig out from a snowstorm that struck their home in Big Bear Lake, California, on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)
David and Kelli Góra ‘s home is covered after a snowstorm in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)
David and Kelli Góra ‘s home is covered after a snowstorm in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)
David and Kelli Góra dig out from a snowstorm that struck their home in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)
David and Kelli Góra ‘s home is covered after a snowstorm in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)
David and Kelli Góra’s home is covered after a snowstorm in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)
Planes approach LAX, passing the Hollywood sign and the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains, as seen from Manhattan Beach on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A pair get caught in a snow shower while walking at Central Park in Santa Clarita, CA, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The last of a series of winter storms swept over Southern California closing the I-5 freeway over the Grapevine and dropping more snow in the San Gabriel mountain communities. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A worker plows snow along State Route 138 near Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Two palms trees are backdropped by snow-covered mountains in Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Vehicles make their way along the I-15 as clouds pass through the snow-covered mountains near Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Clouds hover over snow-covered mountains as a car drives along a state route near Phelan, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Snow-covered trees are seen along State Route 138 near Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Vehicles make their way along the I-15 as clouds pass through the snow-covered mountains near Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A visitor at a scenic outlook is backdropped by snow-covered mountains near Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Snow-covered trees are seen along State Route 138 near Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Two palms trees are backdropped by snow-covered mountains in Hesperia, Calif., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Truckers wait out the weather in Castiac Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The I-5 freeway was temporarily shut down due to snow and ice over the grapevine. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The I-5 freeway over the Grapevine was temporarily closed due to snow and icy conditions Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A pair get caught in a snow shower while walking at Central Park in Santa Clarita, CA, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The last of a series of winter storms swept over Southern California closing the I-5 freeway over the Grapevine and dropping more snow in the San Gabriel mountain communities. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The I-5 freeway over the Grapevine was temporarily closed due to snow and icy conditions Wednesday, March 1, 2023. CHP said they hoped the road may be re-opened by Monday afternoon, depending on the weather. Many travelers and truckers wait out the storm in Castaic where the road is closed. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The I-5 freeway over the Grapevine was temporarily closed due to snow and icy conditions Wednesday, March 1, 2023. CHP said they hoped the road may be re-opened by Monday afternoon, depending on the weather. Many travelers and truckers wait out the storm in Castaic where the road is closed. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The I-5 freeway over the Grapevine was temporarily closed due to snow and icy conditions Wednesday, March 1, 2023. CHP said they hoped the road may be re-opened by Monday afternoon, depending on the weather. Many travelers and truckers wait out the storm in Castaic where the road is closed. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A view from Glendale shows The San Gabriel Mountains with a fresh dusting of snow on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Still, the current rainfall and snow has made more than a drop in the bucket for the typically dry region, which has generally seen more precipitation than expected for the rainy season, which is measured from Oct. 1 on.
NWS meteorologist Samantha Connolly, who works out of the San Diego office overseeing Orange County and the Inland Empire, said many of its sites have seen marked increases in precipitation, especially at the coasts and in valleys.
“I would say a majority are above normal for this time of year,” Connolly explained.
Since October, Fullerton has seen nearly 14 inches of rain compared to its normal 8 or so inches, Connolly said. Measurements taken at John Wayne Airport near Santa Ana saw about 3 inches more than normal for the season.
As for the Inland Empire, it appears Ontario is leading the charge for rainfall highs, according to Connolly. That city received about 16 inches of precipitation so far — which is 6 inches more than usual. At nearly 9 inches this season, Riverside was about 2 inches ahead of its normal totals, she added.
And Chino more than doubled its normal rainfall for the season when it clocked in just over 13 inches within the past week.
Still, despite the rare weather, the barrage of recent storms isn’t enough to singlehandedly take California out of its drought. For Southern California, the U.S. Drought Monitor currently describes severity as “moderate.”
“Anything we can get definitely improves the Drought Monitor, but to entirely eliminate it takes quite a bit,” she said.
Instead, Connolly said getting out of drought requires steady precipitation increases rather than a “lump sum” because of how long California has been in a drought.
“Even though we’ve gotten all this precipitation and we are above normal, in previous years, we’ve had precipitation deficits so we’re still trying to catch up,” she explained.
In Los Angeles County, NWS meteorologist Joe Sirard also noted that drought conditions are tied to the groundwater supply.
“The reason why the drought is persistent or drought conditions are persisting is because of the concentration of the groundwater supply. So the groundwater is when you have rain and melting, the water seeps down to the ground and replenishes aquifers and wells,” he said.
It is not yet clear how the recent storms have impacted that supply, but an updated U.S. Drought Monitor report will be released Thursday, he explained.
For Los Angeles County, rainfall totals this season have also exceeded normal, Sirard said.
Downtown Los Angeles has seen just under 20 inches of rain since Oct. 1, about double its normal amounts. Long Beach is about 5 inches ahead at 13.5 inches; Burbank hovered at 20 inches, which is also double its typical total of 10 or so inches, according to Sirard.
In the mountains, once the snowpack melts the NWS anticipates precipitation highs for mountain communities like Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear currently being pummeled with snow, she said.
But a reprieve from the snowy conditions may take a while.
In San Bernardino County, around-the-clock plowing continued but it could take more than a week to reach some areas, said Dawn Rowe, chair of the county’s board of supervisors. Residents are dealing with as much as 7 feet of snow, and sheriffs’ authorities have conducted 17 rescue operations to help off-roaders and skiers. Emergency crews are trying to reach residents who need assistance.
In Crestline, the entire roof of Goodwin and Sons Market collapsed Wednesday even as safety inspectors were onsite checking up on reported damage. Officials raced to salvage food that residents sorely need from its shelves.
Residents said the market tried to stay open as long as possible to keep supplies & food available but the fire department closed it down early this morning thankfully before the roof completely collapsed in. Max Von Strawn… https://t.co/Gpcaobvb0Gpic.twitter.com/Yx2dPToDMp
“We know that roofs are starting to collapse,” she said. “There are other businesses that will likely be affected by the weight of the snow.”
The county has set up a hotline for residents dealing with issues like frozen pipes, roof problems and food shortages. The San Bernardino Mountains are a major tourism and recreation destination but also home to a large year-round population in small cities and communities around lakes and scattered along winding roads. About 80,000 people live either part- or full-time in the communities affected, said David Wert, a county spokesman.
Local officials are attempting to bring more help to San Bernardino County mountain residents after the storms.
Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia, and other California Republicans called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue a state disaster declaration on Wednesday.
“San Bernardino County has declared a local state of emergency due to the exceptional snowfall the county has received,” a letter released by Obernolte reads in part. “While this has provided additional resources to residents, including an emergency hotline and a shelter for those who are stranded away from their homes, more assistance is desperately needed, including additional snowplows, crews, equipment, medical supplies, and emergency support.”
The letter was also signed by Reps. Ken Calvert, Mike Garcia, Darrell Issa, Young Kim and Michelle Steel, along with other members of California’s Republican delegation.
Meanwhile, at an emergency meeting held Wednesday, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved $10 million in funding for snow removal, food, emergency supplies, restoring public infrastructure and heading off future flooding related to the storm.
Some mountain residents say the storm has left them in dark in more ways than one, complaining of little official communication as they wait in sometimes dark and cold homes, in communities where groceries have not been restocked in days.
“I think the biggest issue is the lack of consistent, clear communication,” Rebecca Lewis wrote on Twitter in response to a posting by Rowe about county and state resources being made available. “If those affected had more information and knew more of when to expect help it would ease a lot of this tension.”
Rowe has been sending daily email updates, she wrote in an email, and county officials held a joint news conference on the storm Wednesday morning.
At the news conference, Rowe said rescuing stranded residents was “priority one” and that snow plowing is continuing 24 hours a day. County officials expect to post an online map showing the progress of plowing efforts soon.
On Wednesday morning in the San Bernardino mountains, Caltrans escorts up highways 330 and 18 in were suspended because even chained vehicles were getting stuck in the snow, according to Caltrans.
The mountains won’t likely see any significant snow melting in coming days because high temperatures there will likely remain in the 40s during the weekend, Connolly said.
The melt is likely to eventually affect drought conditions, Connolly explained, and the NWS will be monitoring several locations to see how snowmelt impacts water levels.
“Once it starts melting, we look at Big Bear Lake … the reservoirs as well. They start getting more water and so it kind of gives us a better indication of how this is impacting the drought,” she added.
It isn’t likely to be rainy for the rest of the week in Southern California, although mountain communities will likely see snowfall Wednesday night into Thursday morning, forecasters said.
Staff writer Beau Yarbrough and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
