Why California's drought is unusual

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    California has had several 36-month periods in the past 115 years almost as dry as the 36 months ending this November.

    But the climate change increase in temperatures has given the state a record hottest period — average temperatures over the same 36-month time-frame have never been close to current levels.
    Which has caused extensive evaporation.

    The relatively normal extreme lack of rainfall, combined with evaporation from abnormal warmer temperatures, as expected with global climate change, is what has made this drought more severe than before.



    http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/12/08/3600717/california-drought-climate-change-2/
    Last edited by mjp2: 10/12/14
 
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