California has started a new water year with some rain falling or in the immediate forecast after a 12-month span of below-average precipitation.
The Department of Water Resources announced Monday that the just-ended water year was marked by hot and dry conditions except for sporadic significant precipitation.
A water year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.
In the year that ended Sunday, the statewide snowpack was just 58 percent of average and much of Southern California ended up with half or less than half of average rainfall. The period was also saw record-breaking wildfires.
The snowpack melts in spring and summer, running off the mountainside and into the state's complex system of pipes and tunnels.
This week is beginning with showers in far Northern California and flash flood watches in effect across the interior of Southern California. More widespread rain is due Tuesday and Wednesday.
