For the first time in a generation, not a single patch of California is considered dry. Newly released federal data show the state is entirely free of drought and even "abnormally dry" conditions, something the US Drought Monitor said hasn't happened since December 2000. Meteorologist Drew Tuma noted on X that anyone 25 or younger has never before lived in a California that wasn't either sliding into drought or climbing out of one. The dramatic turnaround was announced after heavy rains around New Year's soaked the state, the Washington Post reports, erasing lingering dryness in Modoc County and making 2025 the third straight year with rainfall above normal.
"We've had enough persistent precipitation, both rain and snow, that we've been able to alleviate not only drought in the state, but also the abnormal dryness," said Brian Fuchs of the National Drought Mitigation Center. State climatologist Michael Anderson called it a "great start" to the wet season while stressing that the assessment is a moment-in-time snapshot. Experts caution this doesn't mean California's water challenges are over. Rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater still need to be evaluated, and soil moisture—key for storing water—may lag behind surface conditions. But at the moment, 14 of the 17 major water reservoirs are filled to at least 70% capacity, per the Los Angeles Times.
Some mountain areas are also in what officials call "snow drought," with weaker snowpack after storms delivered more rain than snow, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. The National Weather Service expects drought-free conditions to hold through at least the end of March. Other Western states are still dealing with dry conditions, including below-normal snow levels, per NBC News. Utah measures 93% of the state in drought conditions. But the state's recent history shows sharp swings between extremes, with multiple very dry and very wet years since 2013.
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