Continued rain and snow across California has lifted nearly half of the state out of drought, according to an analysis released Thursday. Just over 51% of California remains in “moderate” to “extreme” drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported. By comparison, more than 95% of the state was listed as being in some form of drought a year ago. But as the U.S. Drought Monitor has garnered increased attention, water officials from various state agencies have questioned its merits. “All those conditions don’t necessarily imply that if it didn’t rain for a week, you’re in a drought,” Jones said.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 26, 2017 15:54 UTC