California’s water issues may be complicated. But the rainfall shortage driving the state’s current drought is basic math.
Over the three-year period that ended June 30, most Northern California cities received only about half to two-thirds of their historical average rainfall. And each passing year without soaking winter rains has been steadily drying the state out a little more — further dropping reservoirs, further parching soils and forests, and further depleting groundwater.
“In most places we are missing an entire year of rain over the past three years,” said Jan Null, a meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Services in Half Moon Bay. “It’s like if you worked three years, but only got paid for two. You are going to be hurting.
