Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow

Drought is now over in more than half of California

Overall, 49.1% of California can be classified as in a drought, a dramatic drop from 84.6% last week.

Parts of California freed from drought, thanks to rain, snow

Big rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought, but low groundwater levels remain a problem, officials said.

PHOTOS: Half of California Out of Drought After Weeks of Rain, Snow

Half of California is officially free from drought, thanks to a winter that defied predictions and brought weeks of rain and snow.

Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow

LOS ANGELES — Tremendous rains and snowfall since last year have freed half of California from drought, but low groundwater levels remain a persistent problem, U.S. Drought Monitor data showed Thursday.

Half Of California Freed From Drought Thanks To Rain, Snow

Three months ago virtually all of California was in drought, including at extreme and exceptional levels.

Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow

Three months ago virtually all of California was in drought, including at extreme and exceptional levels.