Stanford Climatologist Says Californians Need To Prepare For Warmer, Drier Weather As New Normal
PALO ALTO (CBS SF) -- California's historic drought has placed a tremendous strain on the state's water resources, and a Stanford climatologist says residents of the state need to prepare ourselves for warmer, drier weather as the new normal for the future.
Stanford Professor Noah Diffenbaugh says "there are a number of measures that suggest that the drought we're in now is the worst on record."
Diffenbaugh published a study on the interaction between human-caused climate change and drought conditions. His conclusion was that warmer than average temperatures caused by global warming, combined with lower than average rainfall will add up to more frequent and persistent droughts.
"What our research is showing is that global warming is causing California to warm, and that warming is increasing the odds of drought conditions – years that are hot like this one," Diffenbaugh told KPIX 5.
Recent rains have barely put a dent in the drought, which is entering its fourth year. The recent warm weather has also meant less snow in the Sierra snowpack.
"We're seeing a very low snowpack, and California really relies on that snowpack as a natural water reservoir. We still have a window in which we could get more snowfall before the summer, but that window's closing," Diffenbaugh said.
Governor Jerry Brown has called on all Californians to conserve water.