The California Drought is Over

Well, almost:

Heavy rain and snow have extinguished California’s drought, water experts say, and Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to make it official Wednesday by rescinding his predecessor’s drought declaration.

The governor’s announcement would come sometime after the next snow survey by the state Department of Water Resources, set for 11 a.m., said Brown spokeswoman Elizabeth Ashford.

It’s part of the department’s traditional April 1 survey, when the water content in the snow pack is typically at its peak.

Snow pack is now at 165 percent of full seasonal average — the largest since 1995, when it was 182 percent, said department spokesman Ted Thomas.

“This is probably one of the top 10 years going back to 1970 and even beyond that,” he said.

But don't worry, a new environmental crisis requiring the curtailing of personal freedom is expected to be announced on Thursday.