Hot, dry weather west of the Rockies is forecast through the end of June, with temperatures averaging nine to 18 degrees above normal in Utah, Nevada, the northern Rockies and perhaps even higher along the eastern slope of the Cascades, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Drought conditions are no worse than “moderate” in small pockets east of the Rockies, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Southern Florida and a swath across six states in the Northeast continue to experience a moderate long-term drought, as do relatively small areas stretching from Canada to Mexico between the Rockies and the Mississippi River.
In San Francisco, a rainfall deficit of 31.51 inches has built up since 2011. That is more than a full year’s average rainfall for the Bay Area. It is worse in Santa Cruz, where the four-year rainfall deficit of 50.54 inches amounts to more than 160% of the area’s average annual rainfall.
ALSO READ: 9 Cities Running Out of Water
The somewhat better news for California is that a stronger El Niño weather pattern is forming in the Pacific Ocean, and the latest consensus forecast gives El Niño a 90% chance of continuing in the Northern Hemisphere through the fall and about an 85% chance of continuing through the coming winter months. A stronger El Niño event usually produces significantly wetter winters in central and southern California.
Are You Still Paying With a Debit Card?
The average American spends $17,274 on debit cards a year, and it’s a HUGE mistake. First, debit cards don’t have the same fraud protections as credit cards. Once your money is gone, it’s gone. But more importantly you can actually get something back from this spending every time you swipe.
Issuers are handing out wild bonuses right now. With some you can earn up to 5% back on every purchase. That’s like getting a 5% discount on everything you buy!
Our top pick is kind of hard to imagine. Not only does it pay up to 5% back, it also includes a $200 cash back reward in the first six months, a 0% intro APR, and…. $0 annual fee. It’s quite literally free money for any one that uses a card regularly. Click here to learn more!
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings to provide coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.