California has been experiencing an intense dry spell for the past three years and researchers consider this omnipresent drought an effect of climate change. To date, California's drought is called the worst experienced by the region in 1,200 years.

A study details significant findings from 66 prolonged dry periods in the last millennium and this current period is potentially the worst ever recorded. Researchers consider this particular dry period could last from anywhere to three to nine years, the worst during the last millennium where there have only been three droughts similar to this event.

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Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the University of Minnesota used data from tree rings dating back to 800 AD to determine the severity of this drought. These tree rings revealed the past summer endured the worst drought in recorded history.

Despite the drought, there have been rains but these downpours happened all at once at an unprecedented rate. San Francisco saw 3.5 inches of rain this week compared to last year's December 2013 rate that only brought one tenth of that amount.

California has been classified as experiencing "exceptional drought conditions" which is the most severe classification. Some 55 percent of the state is now suffering climate change's inevitable effects, according to the US Drought Monitor and the National Drought Mitigation Center.

The current drought includes waves of drought along with inconsistent heavy rains due to shifting sea temperatures. Researchers from Cornell University reveal that the southwestern US will be experiencing a "mega drought" that can last up to 30 years.

This study was published in the journal, Geophysical Research Letters.

TagsCalifornia is Now Experiencing the Worst Drought in 1, 200 Years; Can Last Up to 30 Years, US, california, drought, global warming, california worst drought 1200 years