Thursday November 7, 2024
The Ceres Courier —
California experienced its hottest summer on record this year, but previous above average and normal water years helped the state maintain a good supply of surface water in reservoirs and recharge more groundwater.
“We’re finally starting to feel fall temperatures here, which I think everybody’s ready for to get into winter,” said Michael Anderson, state climatologist for the California Department of Water Resources. “The timing, pace and scale of those atmospheric river storms are absolutely key to how the year plays out.”
Anderson and other DWR colleagues addressed members of the California State Water Resources Control Board last week, providing a state water update. State water officials reflected on the 2024 water year and discussed the state of supplies going into the new water year, which began Oct. 1 and continues through Sept. 30.
With about half the state’s average annual precipitation arriving during December, January and February, Anderson said the water supply outlook is uncertain at this point in the season.