Monday October 10, 2022
ABC 10 —
A new water year began Oct. 1, marking the start to a pivotal year ahead in terms of water security.
The summer-like pattern will continue for the extended forecast. Apart from a rare September soaking storm, it’s been a very dry year. In fact, the years 2020-2022 have been the driest on record, according to UC Merced Professor of Climatology John Abatzoglou.
While drought conditions have improved since last October, the entire state still resides in some level of drought. Another mild, dry winter is a huge concern as the state tries to escape a fourth straight year of drought.
The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the main driver of the atmospheric patterns controlling the waviness of the jet stream and is generally considered a respectable indicator of what a region can expect during the winter months.