California drought: Climate change models suggests dryness could last for centuries

California is currently experiencing its fifth consecutive year of severe droughts, and scientists suggest the end is not in sight just yet. Studying the state’s historic and prehistoric climate, they have indicated that if past patterns were to be repeated, aridity could become the “new normal” for centuries to come.

 

In California, the 21st century has been characterised by a dry climate, which has become more extreme since 2012. Devastating wildfires have become the norm. In 2014, the state’s governor announced a Drought State of Emergency. It is not clear for how long the drought will persist, but the situation has prompted questions about how climate change is influencing California’s hydro-climatic sensitivity and how the area will fare in the future.

 

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