Weather
South Bay Experiencing 'Moderate Drought,' Officials Say
See how the county compares to the rest of the Golden State in a recently released drought monitor map.
![Large swaths of the west are considered to be under extreme and exceptional drought, according to a recently released U.S. Drought Monitor Map.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23681188/20210305/015305/styles/patch_image/public/kateryna-pavliuk-dry-plants-snow-shutterstock-1026251065___05134407831.jpg)
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Santa Clara County is largely considered to be experiencing a "moderate drought," according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map.
"Moderate drought" areas experience some damage to crops and pastures, with low water levels in streams, reservoirs and wells, according to U.S. Drought Monitor. Water shortages may be imminent or developing, and consumers are asked to voluntarily conserve waters.
A sliver of Santa Clara County near the Santa Cruz County line is considered to be "abnormally dry," a step below "moderate drought."
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Most other areas of California are considered to be in "moderate drought." Some parts of the North Bay and areas along the southern California-Nevada border are in the second-worst "extreme drought" category, while a sliver of the state is in the most dangerous "exceptional drought" category.
Updated Drought Monitor released today. Some light rain Friday night wont have much of an impact on this long term drought.
Posted by US National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey California on Thursday, March 4, 2021
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