California Is Missing an Entire Year of Rainfall Since Mid-2019, New Figures Show

California’s water issues may be complicated. But the rainfall shortage driving the state’s current drought comes down to basic math.

“In most places we are missing an entire year of rain over the past three years,” said Jan Null, a meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Services in Half Moon Bay. “It’s like if you worked three years but only got paid for two. You are going to be hurting.”