After a slow start last fall, California’s wet season ended April 1 with the Sierra Nevada snowpack measuring 110% of its historical average.

The U.S. Drought Monitor report from May 3 shows 92% of California in a severe drought and about 40% of the state experiencing extreme drought conditions. 

The April snowpack, key to how much water flows into reservoirs, is 38% of average statewide, proving that drought hasn’t relaxed its grip on California.

After record-breaking snowfall in December, January and February were likely the driest on record, prolonging California’s drought. In Silicon Valley, the conditions could mean tightening restrictions and increasing rebates to reduce water use.

Worsening droughts, competition for scarce supplies, sea level rise, groundwater contamination, earthquakes, wildfires and extreme weather all contribute to California water woes.