What years has California been in a drought?

California is no stranger to drought; it is a recurring feature of our climate. We recently experienced the 5-year event of 2012-2016, and other notable historical droughts included 2007-09, 1987-92, 1976-77, and off-and-on dry conditions spanning more than a decade in the 1920s and 1930s.

What caused the California Drought 2015?

Most of California has been in a severe drought since 2011, although a strong El Niño in the winter of 2015 helped diminish the drought. The current drought is caused by a high-pressure system that disturbs the atmospheric circulation.

How long did California’s last drought last?

Dwindling water, rising temperatures The state’s previous drought lasted roughly seven long years, from December 2011 to March 2019, according to official estimates. But some scientists believe it never actually ended.

What was the longest drought in California history?

In gauging the length and frequency of droughts for planning purposes, California officials rely on a tree-ring study extending back to about 1560. Over that period, the 1928-1934 drought was the longest and worst.

Was the California drought the worst in history?

Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1-D4) in California lasted 376 weeks beginning on December 27, 2011, and ending on March 5th, 2019. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of July 29, 2014, where D4 affected 58.41% of California land.

What could cause California droughts?

Causes of the Drought in California. The drought is believed to be caused in part by a mass of warm water in the Pacific Ocean that has drifted closer to the West Coast recently. The warm water formation, known as “the blob,” has persisted in about the same location for over two years, and is about a thousand miles across and 300 feet deep.

Is the California drought really over?

After 7 Years, The California Drought Is Officially Over. The California drought, which has been in effect since 2011, is now officially over. This is according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. The drought is over thanks to huge rains and massive snowstorms over the past few months.