The Bay Area is experiencing a rare winter heatwave this week and water managers are hoping for more precipitation before possibly declaring another drought emergency.
Most parts of the Bay Area will see high temperatures in the 70s this week and National Weather Service Meteorologist Sean Miller is even forecasting low 80s in some parts of the East Bay.
"It's definitely above normal for this time of year, anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees above normal for the high temperatures," Miller said.
The heat has melted some of the snow in the Sierra that was built up in December, and Gary Kremen, Director of the Santa Clara Valley Water District said their reservoirs are only about a quarter full. "The prices of water when we have to buy emergency water – everyone wants emergency water – so it is really not a good situation," Kremen told KCBS Radio.
Kremen said January 2022 was the worst month on record for precipitation in California and unless we get more rain and snow soon they may have to declare another drought emergency in April.
"The snowpack has shrunk, yeah know it was in great shape and now it shrunk to under average, and getting water into our county is really problematic," Kremen added.
Water managers are still urging California residents to conserve water just in case it stays dry for the rest of the wet season.
Related
