Snowcapped mountains stand behind the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, California, following heavy rains during winter storms. AFP
Snowcapped mountains stand behind the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, California, following heavy rains during winter storms. AFP
The National Weather Service's Los Angeles office had not issued a blizzard warning since 1989. EPA
The National Weather Service's Los Angeles office had not issued a blizzard warning since 1989. EPA
Tremendous rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought, but low groundwater levels remain a persistent problem. AP
Tremendous rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought, but low groundwater levels remain a persistent problem. AP
Mountainous areas of California experienced nearly unprecedented snowfall accumulations. AP
Mountainous areas of California experienced nearly unprecedented snowfall accumulations. AP
Two palms trees stand in front of snow-covered mountains in Hesperia, California. AP
Two palms trees stand in front of snow-covered mountains in Hesperia, California. AP
A pair of residents at the Cedar Park apartments in Grass Valley take a break from shovelling snow during another blizzard earlier this week. AP
A pair of residents at the Cedar Park apartments in Grass Valley take a break from shovelling snow during another blizzard earlier this week. AP
A tree toppled by high winds crushed a car in Los Angeles. EPA
A tree toppled by high winds crushed a car in Los Angeles. EPA
A river swells during heavy rain and snow in Los Angeles. EPA
A river swells during heavy rain and snow in Los Angeles. EPA
A Joshua tree is covered in snow near the Cajon Pass in Oak Hills. AP
A Joshua tree is covered in snow near the Cajon Pass in Oak Hills. AP
Vehicles make their way along the I-15 as clouds pass through the snow-covered mountains near Hesperia. AP
Vehicles make their way along the I-15 as clouds pass through the snow-covered mountains near Hesperia. AP
Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. AP
Emergency crews are scrambling to shuttle food and medicine to residents of California mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms. AP
Tents at Curry Village in Yosemite National Park seen covered with snow. AP
Tents at Curry Village in Yosemite National Park seen covered with snow. AP
Yosemite National Park, closed due to heavy snow, postponed its planned March 2 reopening indefinitely. AP
Yosemite National Park, closed due to heavy snow, postponed its planned March 2 reopening indefinitely. AP
This remote camera image shows a bald eagle warming its eggs in a nest near Big Bear Lake in southern California. AP
This remote camera image shows a bald eagle warming its eggs in a nest near Big Bear Lake in southern California. AP
Record rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought. AP
Record rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought. AP
Recent rain and snow have provided relief to parched California. AP Graphic
Recent rain and snow have provided relief to parched California. AP Graphic

World

US

Historic weather eases drought in California but water woes continue

Cloud bands and ‘epic’ snowfalls have helped to temporarily lift parts of California out of drought

Willy Lowry
Willy Lowry
Washington

March 22, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

From the street, it is difficult to see Theresa May Duggan’s picturesque home in Tahoe Vista, California.

Its black roof barely pokes out from underneath piles and piles of pillowy snow that has engulfed this part of northern California for months.

“It was epic to start [with] and that was in January,” said Ms Duggan, 72, a community organiser. “Then in February, it became biblical and now, honestly, it's almost apocalyptic.”

She has lived in Tahoe Vista since 1977 and has never seen a winter like this year. The snow easily reaches her second floor and she has had to shovel out her ground-floor windows to avoid feeling buried.

Theresa May Duggan's home in Tahoe Vista, California. Photo: Theresa May Duggan
Theresa May Duggan's home in Tahoe Vista, California. Photo: Theresa May Duggan

“If you can't see out your windows, it's bad,” Ms Duggan told The National. “It is really claustrophobic and that's where cabin fever can get you.”

For Kristopher Taylor, 30, an avid snowboarder, this winter has been a dream, but there is so much snow on his condo building in Truckee, California, that he is worried it may not be able to withstand much more.

“Things look like they're about to break,” he told The National.

California has been hit by a deluge of rain and snow in the past few months.

Since December, the state has been hit by 14 cloud bands, phenomena where a plume of condensed water vapour that can stretch thousands of kilometres drops a significant amount of rain in a short period.

The inclement weather has wreaked havoc on the state’s infrastructure, flooding roads, breaking levees and plunging thousands into darkness as electricity has been cut in many places.

The mountains, which have long been starved of moisture, have received record snowfalls.

The snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, which cuts diagonally down much of inner California, is up more than 220 per cent of normal.

The University of California, Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Lab, which has been measuring snowfall in the Sierra Nevada since 1946, has recorded 17.2 metres, the second-highest on record.

The precipitation has come at a much-needed time in the state’s history as much of the West Coast is dealing with a years-long drought.

“I would say that from most perspectives, this most recent drought is now over,” said Jay Lund, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Davis, whose work mainly focuses on water resources.

“But there are still some legacies from that drought. We still have lower groundwater levels in some parts of the state.”

The earth has been parched for so long, that even a record year of rain is not enough to get California out of trouble for long.

“We've been overdrafting some parts of California's aquifer systems for probably 50 years or more,” Prof Lund told The National.

“This year's wetness is good but it's certainly not going to solve that problem by itself.”

And while this winter has gone a long way in helping many parts of California, the nearby Colorado River, which provides water for 40 million people including six other western states, remains in a decades-long drought.

An aerial shot of a depleted reservoir on Grand Mesa outside Grand Junction, Colorado. Janie VanWinkle relies on the reservoir to feed her cattle.
An aerial shot of a depleted reservoir on Grand Mesa outside Grand Junction, Colorado. Janie VanWinkle relies on the reservoir to feed her cattle.
An aerial view of Frank Nieslanik’s farm. On one side of the road, the fields have been irrigated. On the other, they haven’t.
An aerial view of Frank Nieslanik’s farm. On one side of the road, the fields have been irrigated. On the other, they haven’t.
Lake Granby in Colorado is part of the headwaters that feed the Colorado River.
Lake Granby in Colorado is part of the headwaters that feed the Colorado River.
An aerial view of Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado.
An aerial view of Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado.
An aerial shot of Janie VanWinkle’s ranch shows how dry conditions have become. Down the hill, where the grass is green, shows the difference irrigation makes.
An aerial shot of Janie VanWinkle’s ranch shows how dry conditions have become. Down the hill, where the grass is green, shows the difference irrigation makes.
Frank Nieslanik poses next to produce grown on his farm. He’s farmed the land for 30 years and has never seen it so dry.
Frank Nieslanik poses next to produce grown on his farm. He’s farmed the land for 30 years and has never seen it so dry.
An aerial view of an irrigation canal on Frank Nieslanik’s farm shows the difference water makes to crops.
An aerial view of an irrigation canal on Frank Nieslanik’s farm shows the difference water makes to crops.
Farm workers sow a field at Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Colorado River has been in a drought for 22 years, putting stress on the state’s farmers.
Farm workers sow a field at Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Colorado River has been in a drought for 22 years, putting stress on the state’s farmers.
An aerial shot of Janie VanWinkle’s ranch outside Grand Junction, Colorado, shows how dry conditions have become.
An aerial shot of Janie VanWinkle’s ranch outside Grand Junction, Colorado, shows how dry conditions have become.
Keith Musselman, a scientist at the University of Colorado’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, looks out towards the continental divide.
Keith Musselman, a scientist at the University of Colorado’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, looks out towards the continental divide.
Produce from Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Colorado River has been in a drought for 22 years, putting stress on the state’s farmers.
Produce from Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Colorado River has been in a drought for 22 years, putting stress on the state’s farmers.
A view from the top of Grand Mesa overlooking the dry Western Slope of Colorado. In July, the state’s governor declared a drought emergency.
A view from the top of Grand Mesa overlooking the dry Western Slope of Colorado. In July, the state’s governor declared a drought emergency.
Janie VanWinkle drives a tractor as she collects hay for her cows. The drought has meant she needs more hay than usual to keep her cattle healthy.
Janie VanWinkle drives a tractor as she collects hay for her cows. The drought has meant she needs more hay than usual to keep her cattle healthy.
Snow still graces the top of a peak in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Snowpack from the mountains is vital to the health of the Colorado River, which provides water to 40 million people in the American South-West and Mexico.
Snow still graces the top of a peak in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Snowpack from the mountains is vital to the health of the Colorado River, which provides water to 40 million people in the American South-West and Mexico.
An irrigation canal runs through a farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The area is famous for its cattle and produce.
An irrigation canal runs through a farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The area is famous for its cattle and produce.
A view of Frank Nieslanik’s farm. On one side of the road, the fields have been irrigated. On the otherside, they haven’t.
A view of Frank Nieslanik’s farm. On one side of the road, the fields have been irrigated. On the otherside, they haven’t.
Lake Granby in Colorado is part of the headwaters that feed the Colorado River.
Lake Granby in Colorado is part of the headwaters that feed the Colorado River.
An untapped irrigation pipe at one of the tracts of land Janie VanWinkle and her family graze their cattle on.
An untapped irrigation pipe at one of the tracts of land Janie VanWinkle and her family graze their cattle on.
Janie Van Winkle’s husband, Howard, drives a tractor as she collects hay for her cows. The drought has meant she needs more hay than usual to keep her cattle healthy.
Janie Van Winkle’s husband, Howard, drives a tractor as she collects hay for her cows. The drought has meant she needs more hay than usual to keep her cattle healthy.
A field is irrigated at Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Colorado River has been in a drought for 22 years, putting stress on the state’s farmers.
A field is irrigated at Frank Nieslanik’s farm in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Colorado River has been in a drought for 22 years, putting stress on the state’s farmers.
A winding portion of the Colorado River.
A winding portion of the Colorado River.
A depleted reservoir high on top of Grand Mesa near Grand Junction, Colorado.
A depleted reservoir high on top of Grand Mesa near Grand Junction, Colorado.
A cow stands on a dry patch of grass on one of the tracts of land Janie VanWinkle and her family use to graze them on.
A cow stands on a dry patch of grass on one of the tracts of land Janie VanWinkle and her family use to graze them on.
A stretch of the Colorado River, near the river’s headwaters.
A stretch of the Colorado River, near the river’s headwaters.

Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the country’s two largest reservoirs, fed by the Colorado River, are also at record low levels.

“We're in the 23rd year of drought and the reservoirs have gone from almost completely full to almost 75 per cent empty,” said Robert Glennon, a professor emeritus at the University of Arizona, who wrote Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What to do about it.

Mr Glennon believes Americans need to alter their perception and consumption of water if the country is to avoid a “train wreck".

“We Americans are spoiled,” he told The National. “We wake up in the morning and turn on a tap and out comes as much water as we want for less than we pay for cellphone service or for cable television.”

He said that has to change, and even a good year will not make up for decades of bad ones.

On Women's Day
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
AWARDS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Male%20black%20belt%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELucas%20Protasio%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20female%20black%20belt%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJulia%20Alves%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Masters%20black%20belt%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Igor%20Silva%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Asian%20Jiu-Jitsu%20Federation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kazakhstan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Academy%20in%20UAE%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECommando%20Group%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20International%20Academy%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Commando%20Group%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAfrican%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKatiuscia%20Yasmira%20Dias%20(GNB)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOceanian%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAnton%20Minenko%20(AUS)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEuropean%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rose%20El%20Sharouni%20(NED)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENorth%20and%20Central%20American%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlexa%20Yanes%20(USA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAsian%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZayed%20Al%20Katheeri%20(UAE)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERookie%20of%20the%20Year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rui%20Neto%20(BRA)Rui%20Neto%20(BRA)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

the pledge

I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance

I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice

I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own

I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself

I pledge to live in harmony with my community

I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness

I pledge to do my part to create peace for all

I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community

I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice. 

57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is tokenisation?

Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets. 

The bio

Favourite food: Japanese

Favourite car: Lamborghini

Favourite hobby: Football

Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough

Favourite country: UAE

The national orchestra
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
While you're here

'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

1 Man City    26   20   3   3   63   17   63 

2 Liverpool   25   17   6   2   64   20    57 

3 Chelsea      25   14   8  3   49   18    50 

4 Man Utd    26   13   7  6   44   34    46 

----------------------------------------

5 West Ham   26   12   6   8   45   34    42 

----------------------------------------

6 Arsenal      23  13   3   7   36   26   42 

7 Wolves       24  12   4   8   23   18   40 

8 Tottenham  23  12   4   8   31   31   39  

8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21

  1. Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
  2. Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
  3. Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
  4. Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
  5. Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
  6. Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
  7. Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
  8. Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
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.

Whiile you're here
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra

Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa

Rating: 4/5

Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Yabi%20by%20Souqalmal%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMay%202022%2C%20launched%20June%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAmbareen%20Musa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20u%3C%2Fstrong%3Endisclosed%20but%20soon%20to%20be%20announced%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseed%C2%A0%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShuaa%20Capital%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

The biog

Name: Gul Raziq

From: Charsadda, Pakistan

Family: Wife and six children

Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8

Golf Handicap: 6

Childhood sport: cricket 

Zidane's managerial achievements

La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017

You might also like
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: March 22, 2023, 2:30 AM
USCaliforniaDroughtWeather