Here’s Why California Needs a White Thanksgiving

US-ENVIRONMENT-CALIFORNIA-DROUGHT
A dying Joshua Tree as the drought continues to affect the state in Joshua Tree National Park, California on November 22, 2015. California's epic drought is having a devastating effect on the iconic trees which can normally live to 200 years of age and are native to only the Mojave Desert region of California. Ecologists say the trees have not been able to reproduce in decades as new seedlings shrivel up and die before putting down the deep roots needed to survive the desert conditions. AFP PHOTO/ MARK RALSTON / AFP / MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Photograph by Mark Ralston — AFP/Getty Images

If California wants to get out of its current drought, it’s going to need some help in the form of white powder.

The weather phenomenon El Nino is expected to provide the Golden State with drought relief early next year, Bloomberg reports, but weather experts are saying that it would be much more effective if that could happen right now.

“If we can get some snow on the ground and some cold nights, it will set up the snowpack and get cool air pooling,” said California State Climatologist Mike Anderson to the news service.

California really needs snow, not rain, Bloomberg notes. Snow can stay in the mountains until spring, eventually providing runoff.

The state is currently in its fourth year of drought. Read more about the need for snow at Bloomberg.