Don't put away your rubber boots and umbrellas yet. Although today's occasional showers in the Fresno area will give way to dry skies on Friday, the National Weather Service in Hanford has revised its forecast to include a chance of showers Saturday afternoon and Sunday. NWS-Hanford predicts temperatures will be...
Much of California Now ‘Abnormally Dry’ Says U.S. Drought Monitor
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Drought Monitor is now categorizing two-thirds of California as abnormally dry. The monitor reports Thursday that more than 81% of the state is considered dry, including a small percentage in the first stages of drought. That’s up from less than 18% last week. Reservoir Levels Remain High The monitor...
Did Reclamation Do Right by Westlands With 55% Allocation?
There is good news from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for Westlands Water District growers. The Bureau has increased this year's water allocation to district farmers from the 35% announced last month to 55%. But, according to the district, the news should have been better considering California's snowpack and rainfall...
Panama Canal Marks 20 Years of US Handover Amid Water Crisis
PANAMA CITY — Panama marked the 20-year anniversary Tuesday of the turnover of the Panama Canal, now amid a water crisis that threatens the viability of the waterway. Declining rainfall and rising temperatures have reduced the level of freshwater lakes that fill the locks of the Panama Canal and allow...
Storm Brings Record Rainfall, Snow to Southern California
LOS ANGELES — Crews were busy Friday assessing damage and cleaning up after a storm that brought record rainfall to Los Angeles, snowfall to northern elevations, snarled traffic and forced evacuations as debris flows hit areas burned by wildfires. Evacuation orders were either lifted or downgraded Thursday night and Friday...
Tornadoes Possible As Storm Saturates Valley, Weather Service Warns
True to predictions, the strong storm moving across California is bringing significant amounts of rain to the Valley. Forecasters say it could also bring a tornado or two. "It's very unusual for us in the Valley here, but this is one of those days where that definitely is a possibility," said meteorologist...
Will 'Pineapple Express' Bring Flooded Streets Again?
As an "atmospheric river" storm from the eastern Pacific moves into the Central Valley today, forecasts are predicting "substantial precipitation" for the area. The storm system, also called a "Pineapple Express," could grow as large as 400 miles across the southern and central parts of California. The National Weather Service...