Scientists predict drought will persist through winter.

When it comes to Monterey County's water supply, and the overall health of its wilderness areas, good news has become increasingly scarce. 

Last year's El Niño event was hoped to be a drought-buster, but it only delivered about average rainfall, and coincided with the warmest winter on record for the U.S. 

And in a statement released today by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, forecasters predict the coming winter will bring little relief to the drought-stricken Central Coast, and that "drought will likely persist through the winter in most regions currently experiencing drought, including much of California and the Southwest."

Precipitation is predicted to about average, but the rub is, forecasters say the temperatures on the Central Coast this winter—like much of California, including the Sierra Nevada—are expected to be 33-percent above average.  

And as plants, trees and soil dry faster in warmer conditions, that means there will be no relief from the drought that has ravaged the Central Coast, and the entire Southwest, for the last several years. 

For those who want to learn more, a video from NOAA walks you through it.