A series of Pacific storms will bring heavy rain, mountain snow and gusty wind to San Diego County starting later this week and extending through early next week. The first storm is expected to hit late Wednesday night, and gusty winds, rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms are expected. Predicted rainfall amounts range from less than two-tenths of an inch in the deserts to one- to two-thirds of an inch of rain west of the mountains to three-quarters of an inch to 1.5 inches in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

Southern California’s drought emergency is over, but its overall drought may not be. It depends what you mean by “drought.” Rain caused flooding across the state and began refilling important water reservoirs last week. Big snows in the Rocky and Sierra mountains also seem to ensure Southern California’s two largest sources of drinking water – the Colorado River and the rivers of Northern California – will be flush with snowmelt during the year to come.

When Gov. Jerry Brown released his proposed 2017-2018 budget last week, it didn’t include additional funding for the restoration of the Salton Sea. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia represents the 56th district, which includes eastern Riverside and Imperial Counties. “On my end, you know, certainly disappointed that right out the gate there wasn’t a funding identified and included in the initial budget demonstrating a commitment to this issue that isn’t just a Southern California issue, but certainly a statewide issue as it relates to water in California,” Garcia said.

Over the last few years, the state of California has suffered from a historic drought that has killed grass and plants and dried up many of our lakes and reservoirs. But there is some good news, with more heavy rain in the forecast; the drought emergency could soon be over. For the first time since 2011, the U.S. Drought Monitor has erased drought from all areas north of interstate 80 that means the drought is on its way out but we’re not in the clear just yet.