High pressure ridge off California coast is keeping rain away

A high pressure ridge has persisted off the California coast for 13 months, blocking storms that typically bring the state winter rains. The longer it lingers, the less likely it will leave, reported the Christian Science Monitor.

The high pressure ridge system is feeding on itself, “creating a sort of perfect environment for perpetuating the dry conditions," said climatologist Brian Fuchs, from the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Neb. Gov. Brown last week declared a drought emergency in California and called for 20 percent voluntary water conservation statewide.

Reporter Gloria Goodale sought comment on California's dire straights from Doug Parker, director of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources California Institute for Water Resources.

"We have seen essentially no rain or snowfall this year and short- and long-term forecasts are bleak for California,” Parker said. This means that California will have very low water deliveries to much of its agricultural sector.

Agriculture is an important part of the state’s economy, Parker pointed out. “This will lead to fallowing of farmland which will reduce output and reduce employment,” he said. That could drive up the prices of certain commodities. In addition, the dairy and meat sectors will be particularly hard hit, he notes, as those sectors will have to import feed.

The drought will also increase pressure on already over-used groundwater supplies, Parker said.

“We have seen dropping groundwater levels in many parts of the state. We expect growers to increase use of groundwater, especially for tree and vine crops.  This will accelerate the decline in groundwater,” he said.

For more information on the California drought, see the California Institute for Water Resources online list of drought media coverage.

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