Two winters’ worth of snow has already fallen in the Sierra Nevada since Christmas, pulling California from the depths of extreme drought into one of its wettest winters in memory. But as a series of tropical storms slams the state, that bounty has become a flood risk as warm rains fall on...
EXPLAINER: Tackling Threat of Mudslides in Soaked California
SAN DIEGO — Relentless storms from a series of atmospheric rivers have saturated the steep mountains and bald hillsides scarred from wildfires along much of California's long coastline, causing hundreds of landslides this month. So far the debris has mostly blocked roads and highways and has not harmed communities as in 2018...
Groundwater Drilling Increases as California Enters 4th Year of Drought
Despite heavy rainfall in early 2023, California is facing the possibility of a fourth consecutive year of drought. In the past, residents have relied on pumping groundwater to supplement the limited water supply. However, as CBS Los Angeles meteorologist Evelyn Taft found during a visit to the San Joaquin Valley,...
Recent Storms ‘Just a Drop in the Bucket’ for California Drought
California has experienced a devastating, multi-year drought that’s depleted reservoirs, forced officials to plead with residents to conserve water and constrained supplies to vital farmland. Suddenly, the state has been hit by a severe series of storms, with more expected in the coming days. The rain is soaking a state...
Winter Storm Hits Valley Just in Time for Election Day
If you're planning to vote in person on Election Day, you'll want to dig out your umbrella or else you may get soaked. Rain and possibly thunderstorms are in the forecast for Tuesday, says Jim Bagnall, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford. The winter storm that's bringing...
Fresno Weather: It’s a Dry Heat. Except When It’s Not.
Fresno could be on track to tying or setting a new record for consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures. Monday's forecast high of 102 degrees would mark the 15th day of 100 degrees or hotter, or about halfway to the all-time record of 30 days set in 2018. But there...
Walters: After COVID-19, Drought Threat Still Looms
California is enveloped in balmy weather that’s more like spring than mid-winter — and that’s not a good thing. We have seen only scant rain and snow this winter, indicating that the state may be experiencing one of its periodic droughts and adding another layer of crisis to the COVID-19...
Weekend Storm Brings Needed Moisture to Valley. Forecast Shows More on the Way.
Light snowfall lingered in Shaver Lake and other parts of the Sierra Nevada after weekend precipitation brought much-needed moisture to the Central Valley over the weekend. The Fresno area received about .71 inches of rainfall through early Monday, measured at Fresno City College. Shaver Lake received about a half-inch of precipitation,...
UN Weather Agency: Moderate to Strong La Nina This Year
BERLIN — The La Nina climate phenomenon has developed and is expected to last into next year, affecting temperatures, precipitation and storm patterns across the world, the U.N. weather agency said Thursday. A La Nina usually means a more active Atlantic hurricane season, with more and perhaps stronger storms. The...
Earth Breaks September Heat Record, May Reach Warmest Year
Earth sweltered to a record hot September last month, with U.S. climate officials saying there’s nearly a two-to-one chance that 2020 will end up as the globe’s hottest year on record. Boosted by human-caused climate change, global temperatures averaged 60.75 degrees (15.97 Celsius) last month, edging out 2015 and 2016 for the...