California drought-free for first time since Dec. 2000
California drought-free after holiday storms
After the atmospheric river systems that rolled through California over the holidays, the Golden State is drought-free.
LOS ANGELES - For the first time in 25 years, the entire state of California is drought-free, newly released data shows.
What we know:
On Thursday, Jan. 8, the U.S. Drought Monitor released its latest report. Following a series of storms that hit California at the end of 2025, including over the winter holidays, the Golden State is officially drought-free. The latest weekly drought monitor shows that none of California is considered "abnormally dry."
In November, Los Angeles logged the fifth-wettest November on record and over the winter holidays, a series of atmospheric rivers unleashed and drenched the region with rain and mountain snow.
(U.S. Drought Monitor)
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- Southern California braces for more heavy rain after record-breaking New Year’s storms
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Dig deeper:
The U.S. Drought Monitor’s report from the same time last year revealed some parts of California still fell into "abnormally dry" territory, particularly in the southeastern part of the state.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: California drought: These parts of state still 'abnormally dry' despite rains
What's next:
Santa Ana winds have returned to Southern California, prompting the National Weather Service to issue weather advisories through the weekend. It will be breezy across the region and no rain is expected in the forecast over the next several days.
SUGGESTED: High wind warnings in effect in Southern California through the weekend
The Source: This story was written with information from the U.S. Drought Monitor.