Calif. marks warmest winter, spring on record
By Sharon Bernstein, Reuters
SACRAMENTO — California had its warmest winter and spring on record this year, leading to stresses on water resources and agriculture, as well as increased risk of wildfire in the most populous U.S. state, the National Weather Service said Monday.
In an overview of the nation’s weather released on the agency’s website, meteorologists said temperatures in California were about 5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal during the first six months of 2014, and just over 1 degree hotter than the previous record.
“Despite short-term drought relief in the Central and Southern Plains, long-term drought conditions will continue to impact water resources and agriculture,” the report said. “Long-term and short-term drought conditions in the West will also increase wildfire risk.”