As recently as late December, drought conditions were present in at least some of the state.
Data released on December 31 showed 97.19% drought-free conditions, except for a large portion of Modoc County in Northern California that was deemed abnormally dry.
Heavy rains that spread across the state around New Year’s pushed California to 100% drought-free status and made 2025 the state’s third consecutive year with above-average precipitation.
“Our climate is highly variable and these wet patterns and dry patterns are part of the natural cycle that we go through,” said Brian Fuchs, a climatologist with the National Drought Mitigation Centre.
“But it seems like 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.”
Although the latest conditions are encouraging, Fuchs said, that doesn’t mean that California’s water issues are solved.
There are other factors to consider, he said, such as whether water levels in rivers, streams and reservoirs are at appropriate levels or if soil - which helps store water - is recharged with moisture.
“Even though that map looks like everything’s perfect, well, depending on where you’re at in the state and depending on the sector you’re in or how your water is delivered, there could still be some lingering problems,” Fuchs said.
Some mountains in California are suffering “snow drought”, with reduced snowpack because so much precipitation has come in the form of rain, rather than snow, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.
The National Weather Service’s first seasonal drought outlook of 2026 estimates drought-free conditions in California to continue at least until March 31.
While December 2000 was the last time the state was officially drought free, it came close - 99.99% - for three months in 2011.
Periods of drought and water management policy have historically been a fraught political issue in the state.
In 2021, which almost broke 1924’s record for single driest year, Governor Gavin Newsom (Democrat) fought off a recall election that was partially driven by criticism of his water conservation efforts.
California has undergone four years with very low annual rainfall since 2013, with each ranking in the bottom 11% of historical observations, the Washington Post previously reported.
Over that same time span, there have also been four years with very high annual rainfall, each ranking in the top 25%.
Experts previously told the Post these recent extremes are examples of hydroclimate whiplash, or sudden transitions from periods of flooding rainfall to drought and back again.
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