California most likely will not emerge from the drought this year, according to state water officials.

The current water year, which began in October, has been the wettest since the drought began in 2012.

But added moisture from El Nino will not be enough to end the state’s water woes, according to a March report from the state Department of Water Resources.

El Nino brought average rainfall and snowpack levels to much of the state, leaving most of Northern California at normal levels.

This year, a series of March storms replenished the state’s snowpack, which had dipped below normal in some places after a dry February. With the winter snowfall season winding down, however, California officials said that the pack peaked two weeks ago at 87 percent of the long-term average.

More details here.

Source: The New York Times