Record high temperatures and a dry spell in California the past week has “renewed concerns of early snowmelt” in the Sierra and “considerable long-term” drought impacts remain.

“In the core western drought areas of California and western Nevada, dry, warm weather during the period resulted in no change to this week’s drought depiction,” reports the U.S. Drought Monitor in its update released Feb. 18. “While much of the region has experienced favorable precipitation during the 2015-16 Water Year – and subsequent removal of the “S” (short-term) drought Impact Type – considerable long-term (L) impacts remain.”