As of December 30, 2025, California is effectively out of drought across almost the entire state, where 0% of the state's total area is experiencing drought conditions, according to the California Drought Monitor on CalMatters.
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Final storms in December 2025 pulled nearly 100% of the state out of drought.
As of January 8, 2026, measurements showed virtually no dryness remaining, marking an "exceptionally wet period" that has filled the state's reservoirs to a healthy level.
This news is the culmination of several years of strong rainfall.
The Golden State was first declared drought-free in years in 2023 after a winter deluge of storms and atmospheric rivers soaked the state in November and improved forecasts for 2025.
We have not had a similar scenario where there was not a single dry patch on that map for California since December 2000.
This means if you're younger than 25, you've always been living in a world where California is either entering or recovering from drought.
Current systemwide reservoir capacity sees seven of 12 major state-owned reservoirs at 75% or higher capacity.