California's Drought Situation Improving Despite Lingering Water Woes.

California's drought situation is improving due to the historically deep snowpack in the mountains and more storms on the way. The state's drought map no longer shows the top two most severe categories of drought for the first time since 2020. The snowpack is so thick that it has forced several ski areas to close. However, the Southwestern megadrought, which began in 2000, has not ended yet. It will take more wet winters to replenish groundwater supplies depleted by farmers, ranchers, and other water users in California.