Over the last three months, California has experienced a series of anomalous weather events, including a prolonged drought, intense heat waves, wildfires, and heavy rainfall leading to flooding and landslides.
The drought has affected nearly 99% of the state, causing water shortages and prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in 50 counties. The heat waves in August and September broke several temperature records, with some areas experiencing temperatures above 100°F for several days in a row. The extreme heat exacerbated the drought and increased the risk of wildfires.
The wildfires, which started in mid-August, have burned more than 2 million acres of land across the state, destroying homes and forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The fires have been fueled by the drought conditions and the extreme heat.
In late November, heavy rainfall hit California, causing flooding and landslides in some areas. The rainfall brought relief to some areas affected by the drought, but it also caused damage and disruption in other areas.
Overall, the last three months in California have been marked by a series of extreme weather events, which have highlighted the need for the state to prepare for the impacts of climate change.