Park Williams for LA Times—The American West’s last quarter-century ranks as the driest in 1,200 years, research shows

UCLA climate scientist Park Williams discusses the enduring severity of the megadrought in the American West for the Los Angeles Times, highlighting that even after two wet winters, the last 25 years remain the driest quarter-century since the year 800. Williams shares how climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, has intensified the drought, making it significantly more severe than natural cycles alone would have caused. “The dryness still wins out over the wetness, big time,” Williams said.