Drought in California, October 1 to 31, 2016

The California drought continues during the month of October, 2016. Fresno received 0.67 of precipitation and Bakersfield received 0.24 precipitation during the month. Fresno had slightly above normal precipitation while Bakersfield had slightly below normal precipitation. The near normal precipitation amounts and above normal temperatures we received this month did allow for increased evaporation rates and soil moisture to slightly decrease.

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued to report exceptional drought conditions across the entire Central California region. This extent of exceptional drought is extremely unusual for California. The general trend of below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures has continued this year.

There continues to be significant media coverage on the on-going drought conditions. These reports include discussion of significant re-allocation of water resources from the east to west side of the San Joaquin Valley, farmers forgoing planting of some crops, loss or reduction of ground water, wells drying up in several communities leaving them with no water, and an unprecedented increase in fire danger across the Southern Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains. Also, communities in Central California interior face state mandated reductions in municipal water use.