Satellite images show just how bad California's drought problem is

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Digital writers

theweathernetwork.com

Sunday, February 9, 2014, 5:06 PM -

A picture speaks a thousand words. And in this case, shows just how drastically things can change in a year.

These satellite images released by NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show how California's historic lack of rain has translated into a stark lack of snow in the Sierra Mountains.

According to the Department and Water Resources, the amount of snow in the Sierra region is between 4 per cent and 22 per cent of normal.





New data shows 'exceptional' drought expanded to nearly 10% of California this week. https://t.co/P4enPIQeNK pic.twitter.com/SpAzu2ihwr — Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) February 6, 2014

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According to the U.S. Drought Monitor's latest figures, more than 60 per cent of the state is considered to be in an extreme drought. It's the third straight year that California has seen below-average rainfall.

That's the second worst drought category possible, and it's way up from the previous week when less than 30 per cent of the state was considered to be in an extreme drought.

The severely dry weather prompted governor Jerry Brown to declare a drought emergency for the state on Friday which will give California access to federal funding as they battle the worst drought the state has seen since records began about 100 years ago.

With files from CNN