Almost 2900 heat records broken in U.S. last week

Although most of these heat records were broken between Chicago and the East Coast of the United States, weather is very strange everywhere south of the Oregon border with California and all the way across the United States. On the news I believe the exact number of heat records broken was 2898 total as of last night. Here in California on the Northern California Coast we could be in a drought year. Since the end of Christmas there has only been one rain storm of any significance which also means only one rain storm of any significance since October before Christmas as well. So, only two real storms so far this rainy season. And I think Southern California is in even worse shape rain wise. Though this might all change in March which seems to be when we get the most wet weather the last few years. But the biggest difference is that there is no snow in the Sierras or Southern Cascades to speak of. Although this could change in February and March and April it is unlikely to stay cold enough for snow because snow in the mountains tends to create its own weather. But when it isn't there by now this might not work this year. This could be very problematic for California farmers and reduce the amount of crops that can be grown in California dramatically this year if things continue like this any longer. Without a good snow pack in the Sierras and Southern Cascades farmers will have their water rationed and many will not be allowed to grow crops because of worry of pumping up too much of the aquifer in the ground. If they pump too much water in drought years there won't be enough water for the people who live in the state to have come into their homes and businesses. So, even though a good snow pack now is unlikely, hopefully the rain comes through in February or March.

For example, right now in Heavenly there is about 35 inches of snow and in Mt. Shasta in the Southern Cascades it is about the same. There should be 7 to 12 feet of snow or more right now for this to be a normal year in both places. I have also seen 40 feet of snow or more at 8000 feet on Mt. Shasta and skied on it in an extreme snow year by March, April and May.