Overall, California’s snowpack is in strong standing, according to the Department of Water Resources, which conducted its first snow survey of the year on Thursday.
With 108% of average to date, the conditions are three times better than this time last year. But the lopsided pattern of winter storms has bumped the North to 161% of average and more than halfway to meeting its overall average for the winter. Yet the Southern Sierra stands at just 75% and would need above-average accumulation for the rest of the winter to make up for the deficit.
State Climatologist Michael Anderson told reporters the long-term outlook indicates a storm moving in at the end of January, likely missing Southern California. But uncertainty remains high at this point.
And it could get worse. David Rizzardo, who monitors hydrologic conditions at DWR, warned of the dire drought conditions of 2022. The snowpack’s water content grew by less than an inch after that January and steadily declined throughout a warm spring.
Anderson will be tracking the models for any signs of a miracle March in the works.
Keep in mind: Reservoirs throughout the state are sitting at—and mostly above—average, owing largely to conservative allocations last year. That leaves Central Valley irrigation districts less reliant on imported water but with few options for storing the North’s excess snowmelt this year.
The imbalance could propel a flurry of activity for groundwater recharge. But the momentum gained from the wet winter of 2023 slowed last year, as water managers struggled with permitting hurdles and unreliable delivery forecasts.
On that note: UC Agriculture and Natural Resources has hired a big name in the small world of climate outreach. Daniel Swain has joined the California Institute for Water Resources as a climate scientist focusing on extreme droughts, floods and wildfires.
Swain has gained a broad social media following for his frequent posts and video briefings unpacking complex climate modeling and the potential for triggering extreme events in California. He has often lamented that few organizations invest in such public outreach.
CalChamber sues over captive audience law
The California Chamber of Commerce has joined the California Restaurant Association in a lawsuit against the state over SB 399. The bill enables employees to decline meetings where their employer discusses political or religious opinions.
The complaint alleges the bill violates the first and 14th amendments and oversteps federal regulation set by the National Labor Relations Act.
In a statement, CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera said they “repeatedly underscored the fact that SB 399 was a huge overreach,” during the legislative process.
Important to note: The Agricultural Council of California, California Farm Bureau and Western Growers Association were among a lengthy list of organizations supporting CalChamber in opposing the bill last year.
Commerce Department mulls ban on Chinese-made drones, tech
The U.S. will consider whether to restrict drones made with Chinese and Russian parts over national security and espionage concerns, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.
Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security is examining the threats posed by foreign adversaries in drone supply chains and weighing new rules to limit imports, according to a statement soliciting public feedback to shape any future regulations.
Read our full report at Agri-Pulse.com.
Walmart recalls broccoli due to possible listeria contamination
Bags of broccoli sold at hundreds of Walmart stores in 20 states have been recalled over possible listeria contamination. Braga Fresh also has voluntarily advised against consuming specific bags of washed and ready-to-eat Marketside Broccoli Florets.
The affected broccoli’s “best if used by” date was Dec. 10 and so it should no longer be in stores. So far, there are no illnesses associated with the product, FDA said.
Johnson upbeat on speakership as GOP Congress begins
The 119th Congress kicks off today at noon, with the swearing in of new members – and the election of a House speaker. After meeting with conservative holdouts Thursday, Speaker Mike Johnson was expressing confidence that he’s going to get re-elected relatively easily. Johnson told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow that he thought the voting would take just one ballot.
By the way: Kudlow has been publicly pushing for Republicans to use their first reconciliation bill to extend the Trump tax cuts. Johnson told Kudlow Republicans have several priority issues, including taxes and border security, to address “all in one big shot.” But Johnson cautioned, “Some of those negotiations by design take a long time, because you’ve got to get it right.”
Frontrunner in German elections pushes for new EU-U.S. FTA
The frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, wants to revive talks on a transatlantic free trade agreement.
The Obama administration launched negotiations on a trade and investment agreement with the European Union, but President Donald Trump shelved the effort in his first term. Merz is running for chancellor in Germany’s snap election in February, which was triggered after incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence in parliament.
“A new European-American initiative for mutual free trade could prevent a dangerous tariff spiral," Merz, who leads the conservative Christian Democratic Union party, told Germany’s press agency DPA on Thursday.
Merz also argued that the EU should prepare for higher tariffs under a second Trump administration but shouldn’t necessarily retaliate.
"Our response to this should not be to start imposing tariffs as well,” he said.
Final word:
“I am better positioned than ever to prepare for a second Trump presidency and fight against the many extreme plans coming our way, much of it directed at the environment.” — Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., who is taking over as ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee.
