PHOTOS: Stunning wildflower ‘super bloom’ illuminates California desert
(Instagram Photo/Jamie Bannon)
An unusual ‘super bloom’ of wildflowers is occurring in California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park due to an abundance of rainfall over the winter.
“Flowers have started blooming, but we’re certainly not at ‘peak’ yet,” officials posted to the park Facebook page.
The height of the display may not appear until the middle of March as recent rainfall has helped to extend the blooming period, they said.
After years of drought, this winter’s abundant precipitation has marked a significant change in conditions.
(Instagram photo/Sidestep7)
“This winter was the wettest that the Anaza-Borrego Desert State Park has had in six years,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Lada said.
From October through February, the park received 5.65 inches of rain, more than an inch above normal.
“While 1 inch may not sound like much, it can have a big impact on a desert area,” Lada said.
A bloom this big hasn't happened since 2005, according to the Borrego Desert Nature Center.
(Instagram photo/We_lexplore)
"What's happened in the last four or five days is extraordinary," Kathy DeMunck, an assistant manager at the desert's nature center told National Geographic.
Those interested in catching a glimpse of the 'super bloom' should visit during the morning hours, as many flowers close during the afternoon heat.
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