California's Drought Conditions Continue to Improve

Nearly two-thirds of California is now drought-free, with just 36.42% of the state experiencing drought, a significant drop from 100% at this time last year, according to the US Drought Monitor. The state has seen a series of repeat rainfall and snow events this season, with the average mid-March snow water equivalent of high-elevation Sierra Nevada snowpack climbing to more than 220% of seasonal norms. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has rescinded all water use restrictions but warned that storage reserves have been drawn down and challenges remain in the region's other source of imported water, the Colorado River.