Los Angeles’s 2018–2019 Drought Has Ended

Here’s What Comes Next …

Having suffered numerous hardships and difficulties as a result of a drought brought on by less-than-expected precipitation, Los Angeles locals were undoubtedly pleased with the recent uptick in available water, which was made possible by increased rainfall and melting mountain snow. With that said, a bit of good news has prompted many LA residents to ask hard questions, including some inquiries related to the drought status, future drought prospects, and what can be done to prevent similarly uncomfortable situations from becoming a reality in the future. And as one of the most popular vacation and business-trip destinations, Los Angeles has also seen its water-level status and long-term outlook questioned by potential visitors.

To help all interested and concerned individuals, let’s take a comprehensive look at all the pertinent information related to Los Angeles’s most recent drought.

The Drought Had Ended; An Abnormally Dry Climate Has Not

According to environmental and weather professionals and scientists, Los Angeles has officially exited the “drought” classification on the official index of local climates. The aforementioned seven-plus consecutive days of rainfall and snow created enough excess water, atmospheric moisture, and relative humidity to render LA’s water supply much more abundant. With that said, these same professionals have warned that “The City of Angels” isn’t out of the woods yet.

The majority of Los Angeles is still being classified as “abnormally dry” on the official index of local climates. Although this is the index’s least-severe classification, weather professionals have stated that it commonly results in conditions being subsequently classified as “moderate drought,” the next classification down, in instances where rainfall is limited. With this information in mind, another question that’s concerning many LA citizens and potential visitors — “Can water-usage restrictions be loosened?” — is also answered. This answer, at least for the time being, is “no.” However, recent improvements to water levels are a big step in the right direction.

Los Angeles’s prospects for future droughts and dry conditions are mixed; some encouraging signs are present, and so too are some causes for relative concern. In terms of the former, recent precipitation has been incredibly helpful, and meteorologists are confident that subsequent weeks and months will bring with them continued extensive rainfall (or continued extensive rainfall relative to California norms, more specifically). To be clear, in many parts of the state, recent rainfall has exceeded annual averages.

Another encouraging sign can be found in the form of California’s 2018–2019 winter, which, according to experts (and verifiable by LA locals!) was unexpectedly wet. The most apparent and notable result of this above-average snowfall is the fact that water basins and reservoirs in the state are more filled than they have been in quite a while. Most of California’s drinking water comes from large reservoirs of water, and of the 12 most prominent reservoirs, half are presently filled past average levels. What’s more is that several of these reservoirs, besides being filled past average levels, are filled to levels that haven’t been seen in years. The long-term (meaning one to three years) impact of this point cannot be understated. Vacationers and business professionals can plan their trips without worrying.

On the other hand, there are some disheartening factors to consider in the scope of the water levels of the state as a whole. Outstanding improvements have come to the moisture and water levels in cities across CA, but the reality is that at present, just over one-third of the state is entirely free of droughts and drought-like conditions. Many northern and southern portions of the state are currently classified as having droughts or drought-like conditions, and although additional rainfall and precipitation are once again expected for the Los Angeles area in the coming days and weeks, cities like San Diego will likely receive a much smaller amount of precipitation, and will be generally drier as a result. As California weather experts have noted, there’s no telling if and when the cities’ fortunes will reverse, and Los Angeles will experience renewed dryness and San Diego will be remoistened.

What This Information Means Presently, and How It Will Impact the Future

Scientists and weather experts have reason to be optimistic about Los Angeles (and California’s) precipitation prospects, but the key to this optimism is caution. California rainfall and snow have been unpredictable throughout the state’s history (as is explored in the next section), and it’s unrealistic to expect these fundamental environmental characteristics to change now. Mother Nature refuses to behave differently today, even if California is now the site of some of the wealthiest and most populous cities in the world!

It was mentioned before that water-conservation practices and usage limitations will almost certainly remain in place. Additionally, these practices and limitations may actually grow in scope. That’s right — even though there’s more water in California now than there has been in some time, conservation efforts are expected to be ramped up. The reasoning, according to experts, is simple: water surpluses must be saved so that water shortages can be better responded to.

With more individuals living in Los Angeles and California than there have been at any other point in history, it’s imperative that future accommodations be made to prevent anyone from suffering injuries or passing away as a result of preventable conditions. Many people have died from California wildfires, which become more prevalent and devastating in drought-like conditions, and countless trees and animals have also been killed by out-of-control blazes. These natural disasters and widespread thirst, amongst other drought byproducts, can be more adequately responded to if preparations are made (including the storage of water) during moist months and years.

And in a less dramatic sense, California cities that are in need of water (like those that were previously mentioned, including San Diego) can see some relief. Lastly, it should be noted that educational and weather professionals are currently brainstorming ways for Californians to save water — ways entirely unrelated to importing a supply from surrounding states.

A Brief Historical Analysis of California’s Drought History

The future of California’s weather and water availability — and Los Angeles’s weather and water availability — can be better understood and predicted if long-term history is reviewed and analyzed. While it seems and feels as though California’s droughts have become increasingly frequent and severe in recent years, the reality of the situation is that the state’s droughts are the same as they’ve always been; it’s water needs that have most changed as of late.

California’s 2016–2017 drought was described by weather professionals as a period that accompanied the lowest rainfall levels recorded since the state became part of the United States. This was, without a doubt, true; the 2016–2017 drought was devastating, and it did bring with it less precipitation than any other drought in California’s state history. However, scientists recently indicated that California the territory has an extensive history of dry periods and droughts, one of which lasted an estimated 200 years. That’s correct: those who were unfortunate enough to be in California around the year 850 experienced a near-200-year dry period. For as terrible as the State of California’s dry periods and droughts have been, they pale in comparison to those of the past.

There are two ways to look at this information. The first way — the negative way — involves believing that nothing positive is on the horizon for California and Los Angeles weather-wise; that another multi-century dry period is inevitable, and that it’s only a matter of time before additional difficulties are encountered.

The other way — the positive way — is that the last century has been very, very generous to California residents. Even the mentioned 2016–2017 drought and the Dust Bowl (during the 1920s) were nothing compared to a 100+ year dry period! Plus, between some lucky breaks in the weather (like that of Los Angeles’s increased precipitation) and contemporary improvements to and optimizations of water- and conservation-related technologies, it seems as though Californians — and Americans — can adequately prepare for and deal with virtually any drought-related outcome. While California’s water needs have become greater in recent years, it certainly doesn’t hurt that the state is also home to numerous technology hubs and boasts the largest economy in the U.S. and the fifth-largest economy in the world.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, Los Angeles’s drought has officially ended; rainfall and snowfall have been well above average in recent weeks, and it looks as though this trend will continue for some time. Los Angeles and many other cities are no long classified as experiencing a “drought,” although experts have warned that these areas are nevertheless “abnormally dry.” With more precipitation expected, California weather and conservation professionals are taking steps to assure that a minimal amount of water is used by residents. Furthermore, they are implementing measures to guarantee that as much water as possible is safely stored. As the specified trends indicate, California weather is capable of producing a century-long dry period. If and when such an episode does take place, there’s a great chance that Californians will have the resources and the answers required to overcome all related obstacles.

For now, let’s take a moment to recognize all the great things that have recently happened, weather-wise. Los Angeles and many other cities in California had more rainfall in a month than they do during most full years; water reservoirs were able to replenish; drought classifications were rescinded; and meteorologists revealed that even more precipitation is expected to fall in the coming weeks and months.

If recent trends and occurrences are any indication, the future of California, Los Angeles, and all the other internationally renowned destinations in “The Golden State” looks very, very bright. LA locals and those who plan to visit the city as part of a vacation or business trip can kick back, rest easy, and be assured that things are, at least for the time being, perfectly fine.