California's Heavy Rains Bring New Concerns for Health and Agriculture

Heavy rains in California have disrupted the almond pollination cycle, potentially affecting the upcoming harvest and causing prices to rise. While almonds are not the thirstiest crop per acre, they have been criticized for their high water usage in drought-prone California. The state is the world's largest producer of almonds, contributing 80% of the global supply in 2020. Recent storms have incentivized farmers to increase water efficiency practices, but the extreme weather events may require a new climate normal for the state's agricultural industry.