(CBS SF) — Climate experts say El Nino is growing stronger and could bring drought-busting wet weather to California this year. While the ocean condition is nearly guaranteed, rainfall doesn’t always follow the sea temperature increase.

On Thursday, scientists at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) said chances for El Nino this summer are close to 100 percent, with simulations suggesting by December, it could exceed the devastating 1997-1998 event that brought widespread flooding and hurricane-force winds to most of California. Continue reading →

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California farmers who hold rights to water that date as far back as the Gold Rush are bracing for their first state-ordered conservation in decades, as a record drought prompts some of the deepest cuts yet in the country’s most productive agricultural state.

After telling cities and towns to slash use by 25 percent and curtailing water deliveries to some farmers and others, state officials said Wednesday they would start mandatory cuts this week to the state’s oldest rights holders, historically spared from water restrictions. Continue reading →

Washington D.C.—The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announced it is publishing a final rule establishing 11 new American Viticultural Areas within the existing Paso Robles AVA area in San Luis Obispo County, California. The 11 new viticultural areas are: Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch, and Templeton Gap District. The 11 AVAs are the result of a petition submitted by a group of growers and vintners in the area. See the Oct. 1, 2013 Wines & Vines report “Paso Winegrowers Back on TTB Track” by contributing editor Jane Firstenfeld for more details.

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