California is drought-free for the first time in a quarter-century - Los Angeles Times News Home Page California Election 2024 Housing & Homelessness Politics Science & Medicine World & Nation Business Artificial Intelligence Autos Jobs, Labor & Workplace Real Estate Technology and the Internet California California Politics Earthquakes Education Housing & Homelessness L.A. Influential L.A. Politics Mental Health Climate & Environment Climate Change Water & Drought Entertainment & Arts Arts Books Stand-Up Comedy Hollywood Inc. The Envelope (Awards) Movies Music Television Things to Do De Los En Español Food 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. Recipes Image Art & Culture Conversations Drip Index: Event Guides Fashion Shopping Guides Styling Myself Lifestyle Health & Wellness Home Design L.A. Affairs Plants Travel & Experiences Weekend Things to Do in L.A. Obituaries Voices Editorials Letters to the Editor Contributors Short Docs Sports Angels Angel City FC Chargers Clippers Dodgers Ducks Galaxy High School Sports Kings Lakers Olympics USC UCLA Rams Sparks World & Nation Immigration & the Border Israel-Hamas Mexico & the Americas Ukraine Times Everywhere 404 by L.A. Times Facebook Instagram LA Times Today Newsletters Photography Podcasts Short Docs TikTok Threads Video YouTube X (Twitter) For Subscribers eNewspaper All Sections _________________ LA Times Studios Business • AI & Tech • Automotive • Banking & Finance • Commercial Real Estate • Entertainment • Goods & Retail • Healthcare & Science • Law • Sports Decor & Design Dentists Doctors & Scientists Fitness Hot Property Live & Well Orange County Pets The Hub: Rebuilding LA Travel Veterinarians Weddings & Celebrations Deals & Coupons Newsletters Live Stream Events Screening Series Crossword Games L.A. Times Store Subscriptions Manage Subscription EZPAY Delivery Issue eNewspaper Students & Educators Subscribe Subscriber Terms Gift Subscription Terms About Us About Us Archives Company News eNewspaper For the Record Got a Tip? L.A. Times Careers L.A. Times Store LA Times Studios Capabilities News App: Apple IOS News App: Google Play Newsroom Directory Public Affairs Rights, Clearance & Permissions Short Docs Advertising Classifieds Find/Post Jobs Hot Property Sections Local Ads Marketplace L.A. Times Digital Agency Media Kit: Why the L.A. Times? People on the Move Place an Ad Place an Open House Sotheby’s International Realty Special Supplements Healthy Living Higher Education Philanthropy Copyright © 2026, Los Angeles Times | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information Sections Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Focus mode Show Search Search Query Submit Search Advertisement California California is free of all drought, dryness for first time in 25 years. Inside the remarkable turnaround A pedestrian carries an umbrella in Long Beach on Jan. 2. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) By Clara HarterStaff Writer Follow Jan. 9, 2026 Updated 11:33 AM PT 99 5 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. California has zero areas of abnormal dryness for the first time in 25 years after an exceptionally wet holiday season soaked the state.Currently, 14 of the state’s 17 major water reservoirs are at 70% capacity or higher and wildfire risk is minimal.Despite the welcome relief, climate change is expected to intensify weather swings from heavy rainfall to extreme dryness in a cycle that can fuel catastrophic wildfires. After experiencing one of the wettest holiday seasons on record, still soggy California hit a major milestone this week — having zero areas of abnormal dryness for the first time in 25 years. The data, collected by the U.S. Drought Monitor, is a welcome nugget of news for Golden State residents, who in the last 15 years alone have lived through two of the worst droughts on record, the worst wildfire seasons on record and the most destructive wildfires ever.Right now, the wildfire risk across California is “about as close to zero as it ever gets,” and there is likely no need to worry about the state’s water supply for the rest of the year, said UC climate scientist Daniel Swain. Currently, 14 of the state’s 17 major water supply reservoirs are at 70% or more capacity, according to the California Department of Water Resources. Advertisement California’s last drought lasted more than 1,300 days, from February 2020 to October 2023, at which point just 0.7% of the state remained abnormally dry, thanks to a series of winter atmospheric rivers that showered the Golden State with rain.Before that, California was in a severe drought from 2012 through 2016. Advertisement But the last time 0% of the California map had any level of abnormally dry or drought conditions was all the way back in December 2000. In recent weeks, a series of powerful winter storms and atmospheric rivers have swept across California, dumping heavy rain that soaked soils, filled reservoirs and left much of the state unusually wet for this time of year.“This is certainly a less destructive weather winter than last year was and than many of the drought years were, so it’s OK to take that breather and to acknowledge that, right now, things are doing OK,” Swain said. He noted, however, that “as we move forward, we do expect to be dealing with increasingly extreme [weather] swings.” California SoCal’s wettest Christmas holiday ever, and the intensifying drought-to-deluge cycle behind it Scientists attribute these extreme weather swings to climate change, warning of intensifying “hydroclimate whiplash” patterns globally. Dec. 26, 2025 Though it may seem counterintuitive, climate change is forecast to lead to both more intense droughts and more intense episodes of rainfall. This is because a warmer atmosphere pulls more moisture out of soils and plants, deepening droughts. At the same time, a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor, which is then released in fewer, more extreme rainstorms.Scientists have coined a name for this phenomenon — the atmospheric sponge effect — which Swain said is “hopefully an evocative visual analogy that describes why as the climate warms we actually are likely to see wider swings between extremely wet conditions and extremely dry conditions.”A key example of this effect is the weather pattern in the run-up to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires last year. Climate & Environment How climate change worsened the most destructive wildfires in L.A. history The California fires erupted amid extremely dry conditions. UCLA scientists say extreme heat linked to climate change was a factor in the fires’ intensity. Jan. 16, 2025 In 2022 and 2023, California experienced extremely wet winters. Mammoth Mountain, for example, set an all-time record for snowfall in the 2022-23 season. Advertisement But then Southern California experienced one of the driest periods on record in the fall and winter of 2024, which enabled the subsequent devastation of January 2025’s firestorm. “We didn’t even have to be in a notable multiyear drought to have that sequence of really wet to really dry conditions lead us to a place where the fire risk was catastrophic,”Swain said.Recent storms have brought snow to the Sierra Nevada mountains, but the state’s snowpack remains below average. According to the Department of Water Resources, the snowpack now stands at 89% of average for this time of year.Much of the West has seen warmer-than-average temperatures and relatively little snow so far this winter. The snow in the Rocky Mountains remains far below average, adding to the strains on the overtapped Colorado River, a major water source for Southern California.Research published in the aftermath of the fire examines how this extremely wet to extremely dry weather sequence is especially dangerous for wildfires in Southern California because heavy rainfall leads to high growth of grass and brush, which then becomes abundant fuel during periods of extreme dryness. Fortunately, California should be clear of water supply risks and wildfire danger for several months to come, Swain said, but in the long term, residents should expect to see more of this weather whiplash. Advertisement Times staff writer Ian James contributed to this report. More to Read For the first time in 25 years, California has a snowpack trifecta April 2, 2025 Voices Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times March 24, 2024 Californians’ water usage is down 9% and other takeaways from The Times’ updated water tracker July 22, 2024 Show Comments CaliforniaThe LatestClimate ChangeWater & Drought Sign up for Essential California The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning. By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. Enter email address Agree & Continue Clara Harter Follow Us X Instagram Email Clara Harter is a breaking news reporter at the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she covered politics and education for the L.A. Daily News. She majored in political science and Middle Eastern studies at Columbia University. More From the Los Angeles Times California Anti-Trump protesters join ‘Free America’ walkout in downtown L.A. and across SoCal Jan. 20, 2026 Entertainment & Arts Timothy Busfield to be released from jail pending child sex abuse trial Jan. 20, 2026 California ‘It’s nuts.’ This 4-year-old is getting death threats over NFL predictions Jan. 20, 2026 California Coyote makes astonishing swim to Alcatraz — the start of a prison-island pack? We asked experts Jan. 20, 2026 Podcasts Through Her Doc ‘All The Walls Came Down,’ Filmmaker Ondi Timoner Aims To ‘Save’ Altadena, And Her Community – And Herself – Heal Taped Jan 8, 2026, a year after the Eaton Fire, this episode features Ondi Timoner. After losing her home, she began documenting the displacement and financial struggles of her neighbors, joining My Tribe Rise to help Altadena rebuild and recover. Crimes of the Times: “The Trials of Frank Carson” Update Attorney Frank Carson defended the accused for decades. Framed for murder and later acquitted, a star witness admitted he lied. Stanislaus County paid $22.5M to settle his estate’s lawsuit. L.A. Crimes: BONUS EPISODE: Controversial Opinion with Jami Rice In this specially released bonus episode, Madison McGhee and Jami Rice share some extremely opinionated opinions about everything from the Menendez Brothers to Jax Taylor. And just so you know, they are absolutely, one hundred percent right about everything. Most Read in California California Magnitude 4.9 earthquake recorded near Indio Jan. 19, 2026 California Suit against LAUSD alleges ‘overt discrimination’ against white students Jan. 20, 2026 California College women far outnumber men in law, medical, vet schools. Why this matters Jan. 20, 2026 California Newsom calls global leaders ‘pathetic’ for Trump complicity Jan. 20, 2026 Subscribers are Reading Voices For Subscribers Plaschke: Dodgers’ ruination of baseball continues with Kyle Tucker, and it’s a beautiful thing For Subscribers The Valley, the South Bay and beyond: These are L.A.’s newest million-dollar neighborhoods Voices Contributor: This time the U.S. isn’t hiding why it’s toppling a Latin American nation Ailing astronaut returns to Earth early in NASA’s first medical evacuation Social media addiction’s surprising challenger? Anti-doomscrolling influencers Advertisement Latest California An Adelanto mom went missing from a parking lot 20 years ago. The case went cold, until now Jan. 20, 2026 State GOP seeks Supreme Court injunction to block California’s new, voter-approved congressional districts Jan. 20, 2026 U.S. senators tour California City ICE facility, decry conditions and inadequate medical care Jan. 20, 2026 Iconic LAX pylons are being removed. Here’s why Jan. 20, 2026 Supreme Court appears likely to strike down California law banning guns in stores and restaurants Jan. 20, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Follow Us X Instagram YouTube Facebook eNewspaper Find/Post Jobs Place an Ad Media Kit: Why the L.A. Times? Invest Now: Own a Part of History MORE FROM THE L.A. TIMES Crossword Obituaries Recipes Guides L.A. Times Store About/Contact For the Record L.A. Times Careers Manage Subscription Reprints and Permissions Copyright © 2026, Los Angeles Times | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

California has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the first state in a quarter-century to experience drought-free conditions. This significant development, reported by the Los Angeles Times, marks a welcome departure from the prolonged dryness that has gripped the state for decades. Currently, 14 of California’s 17 major water reservoirs are operating at or above 70% capacity, a testament to the unusually wet holiday season. The wildfire risk across the state is also drastically reduced, indicating a substantially lower threat compared to previous years.

The achievement is largely attributed to a series of exceptionally heavy winter storms and atmospheric rivers, collectively referred to as “atmospheric rivers,” which delivered substantial rainfall across the state. These events replenished water supplies and alleviated the prolonged drought conditions. UC climate scientist Daniel Swain highlights the importance of understanding the shifts, noting that while this is a positive moment, it doesn't negate the long-term impact of climate change, which is expected to intensify weather swings between heavy rainfall and extreme dryness.

The state’s last drought, lasting over 1,300 days, concluded in October 2023, with only 0.7% of California remaining in abnormally dry or drought conditions. Prior to this, California faced a severe drought from 2012 to 2016. However, a key factor contributing to this recent turnaround is the “atmospheric sponge effect,” whereby warmer temperatures lead to deeper soil dryness and a greater potential for extreme rainfall events. This phenomenon, detailed by Swain, indicates growing weather whiplash, meaning that California is likely to experience increasingly volatile shifts between periods of abundant rainfall and severe drought. Despite the current relief, the state’s snowpack, crucial for water supply, remains below average, indicating the need for continued monitoring and preparedness for potential challenges in the coming months and years. The recent weather patterns have brought welcome snowfall to the Sierra Nevada mountains, but the overall situation underscores the complex interplay between climate change and California’s water resources.