Part of northern Texas and Oklahoma had the worst rating posted by the U.S. Drought Monitor — “exceptional drought”* — until recently. That is the same designation given to most of California. Rains that flooded much of Texas have wiped out the drought in what may be an exceptionally short time.
The Drought Monitor’s experts wrote in the most recent national measure:
A series of cold fronts moving southeastward out of the Canadian Prairies brought additional moderate to heavy (more than 2 inches) rains to the water-logged southern and central Plains, including most of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, along with beneficial moisture to the northern Plains and Midwest, early in the period. Based upon estimated monthly state rainfall totals, May 2015 was the wettest month ever in Texas (8.81 inches) and Oklahoma (14.27 inches), incredibly ending the region’s long-term drought within 4-6 weeks (but causing widespread flooding).
Very small areas of Texas and Oklahoma still have an “abnormally dry”** rating, a designation just short of no drought at all.
The change serves as a reminder that historically huge rainstorms can turn a parched area into one that is barely parched. Does California have a chance at such a change? Almost certainly not. AccuWeather experts remain pessimistic about an improvement. Just days ago, Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist, wrote:
Some episodes of rain can occur in California over the summer, but these would not have major and long-lasting impact on the drought. A few such episodes can occur during the first 10 days or so of June.
In other words, California is not Texas and is not likely to be.
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*Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams and wells creating water emergencies.
**Going into drought: short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops or pastures. Coming out of drought: some lingering water deficits, pastures or crops not fully recovered.
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