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California Facing Another Dry Year?

The California Aqueduct carries water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Southern California as urgent calls for California residents to conserve water grow. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew
The California Aqueduct carries water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Southern California as urgent calls for California residents to conserve water grow. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
California Facing Another Dry Year?
Climate scientists and weather researchers gather in San Diego Tuesday to talk about the possibility of a fourth year of drought.

Climate scientists and weather researchers gather in San Diego Tuesday to talk about the possibility of a fourth year of drought.

The California Department of Water Resources has brought together meteorologists and scientists from several organizations including the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.

The researchers are expected to offer the most recent forecast for the winter season.

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Wendy Martin, the statewide drought coordinator for the Department of Water Resources, says November is when long-range forecasting helps in planning for the winter season.

"And it will take a number of months more to really get a good feel for what the winter brings us," Martin said. "But of course, we can't wait that long to plan for the possibility of a fourth dry year. So we have to work now to begin preparing for that."

Martin said the state already faces challenges to its water supply.

She said reservoir storage is lower than normal for this time of year.

And Martin said even an average rain year will not be enough to make up for three dry years.