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Farm Bureau Welcomes Introduction of Senate Water Bill

Introduction of a California water bill in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Dianne Feinstein will help Congress move toward final legislation that addresses the state’s chronic water shortages, according to the president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

“Senator Feinstein has never been shy about tackling the tough issues, and we appreciate her work to create a California water bill for the Senate’s consideration,” CFBF President Paul Wenger said. “The Senate must pass this bill so it can advance to a conference committee with the drought bill already passed by the House of Representatives.

The Rainfall of 20 El Niños, in 1 Big Graphic

This winter’s El Niño has delivered monumental precipitation to the West … up until now. Dry, unseasonably warm weather is blanketing California—Oakland hit a record high of 81 degrees Monday—raising fears the infernal drought might escape with hardly a dent in its hide.

Whether that happens is anybody’s guess. The Climate Prediction Center sees below-average chances of Western rains in the next couple weeks, but there’s always the possibility late-season storms could deliver a soaking. Gamblers wanting to bet on the coming weather might find this NOAA graphic handy, as it illustrates the winter rainfalls that’ve occurred during El Niños back to 1950.