Will the California storms end the state's extreme drought?


Patrick deHahn
  • English
  • Arabic

California has experienced an onslaught of torrential rains from at least six atmospheric rivers this winter but one question is on the minds of many: Will this bring an end to the historic drought in the western US state?

“We are soaked — this place is soaked,” Governor Gavin Newsom said of the record rains on Tuesday.

While weather predictions forecast three more atmospheric rivers on the way, climate experts say the wet weather will not end the drought — but it certainly is helping curb conditions and filling reservoirs.

“Nearly all of California has seen much above average rainfall totals over the past several weeks, with totals 400-600 per cent above average values,” the National Weather Service, or NWS, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week recorded extreme and exceptional drought throughout the state and predicted that conditions would improve in the beginning of the year.

The NWS this week reported that some regions have recorded one to two drought class improvements because of the rains.

California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency due to the winter storms, with many counties under flood warnings. EPA
California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency due to the winter storms, with many counties under flood warnings. EPA

However, the record level of rains are still not enough to halt the drought that has plagued most of the Golden State, with fierce wildfires, water restrictions, energy shortages and power cuts occurring for years.

“The one benefit of above normal rainfall in California is the relief from persistent drought that has been plaguing the state for quite some time,” one NWS briefing read on Tuesday.

The atmospheric rivers are not the answer as the weather systems are slim in size and not affecting every drought-impacted region in the state, including Northern California.

The rains are filling reservoirs that have been at record low levels in recent years, but some are so large that the atmospheric rivers will not be able to fill them back to normal levels.

The wet weather is also bringing snowfall to California's mountains, while concerns are that the state's new climate will not allow for the snow to stick around to combat drought conditions.

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Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

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Rating: 4/5

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Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

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United States

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China

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Norway

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Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

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Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
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10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Platinum Star, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.

10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Key Victory, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

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5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

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6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m

7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m

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Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

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  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

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Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

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Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

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Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

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Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)

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T20 World Cup Qualifier

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ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya

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Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed

Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed

The specs

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Price: from Dh155,000

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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Updated: January 11, 2023, 6:39 PM`