Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
December Rains Are A 'Good Omen' For California's Drought
(Photo by Karol Franks via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
Though the rain may have helped LAX turn into a nightmare of delayed flights and other irritations on the busiest days of the year, JPL climatologist Bill Patzert says that the storms are a "good omen."As you must know, we've been in a pretty severe drought for the past several years. The past five years have been the driest years on record since record keeping began almost 140 years ago. Hopes were high for El Niño to come and wash away our troubles via some torrential downpours, but the results were less than impressive in Southern California, despite being previously touted as "too big to fail."
El Niño is typically followed by a dry winter, but recent rain storms, not to mention additional rainfall anticipated for the weekend, have accounted for more rain this December than last December, Patzert told the L.A. Times. Patzert says this is a good sign for January, February and March.
“The kind of rain we’re having this week and last week, that’s just perfect. It doesn’t come at you like a fire hose," he said.
New data from the U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday indicates that 15 percent of the state is drought-free, while another 15 percent is "abnormally dry," the San Francisco Examiner reports. "Abnormally dry" sound bad, but it really means that while dry, it's not quite yet a drought. This is the best conditions have been since 2013. Of course, these patches are all in Northern California.
Support for LAist comes from
()
(Image via U.S. Drought Monitor)
California's Department of Water Resources announced earlier this week that water agencies may now receive 45 percent of their total allotments, versus the previously estimated 20 percent, according to the Daily Breeze.
That said, conservation is still important and a wet December is no guarantee of the months to come. Department of Water Resources director Mark Cowin said in a statement, "This winter’s wet start gives us hope we’ll be able to keep increasing the State Water Project allocation. But the faucet can shut off suddenly and leave us dry for a sixth year in a row. Drought always looms over California, so we must use water wisely and sparingly."
So, if you're stuck sitting around LAX and growing increasingly cranky, just remember that this rain is ultimately good for us, even if it's screwing up your travel plans. KPCC recommends using your extra time at LAX to take an art walk.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist