Los Banos, CA (January 9, 2026) — California is currently classified as free of drought conditions statewide, according to the most recent weekly update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, marking the first time the state has reached that status in more than 20 years.
The U.S. Drought Monitor, which is produced through a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Drought Mitigation Center, reported that 100% of California is no longer classified as drought or “abnormally dry.” The update reflects conditions as of early January.
According to drought monitor data, the shift follows several months of above-average precipitation, including a wet start to the 2025–26 water year that improved soil moisture, streamflow, and reservoir levels across the state. Meteorologists have attributed the change to repeated winter storm systems that delivered widespread rainfall.
Statewide drought-free status has not been recorded since the early 2000s under the Drought Monitor’s modern tracking system. In recent years, California experienced prolonged periods of moderate to exceptional drought that affected agriculture, water supplies, and groundwater basins, particularly in the Central Valley.
Experts caution, however, that the designation does not mean all water challenges have been resolved. Groundwater levels in parts of the San Joaquin Valley remain below historical averages, and snowpack, which is a critical component of summer water supply, can fluctuate significantly as the winter season continues.
Climatologists also note that California’s climate remains highly variable, and drought conditions could return if dry weather patterns re-emerge later in the year. For that reason, water officials continue to emphasize conservation and long-term water management planning despite the current improvement.
The drought-free classification offers cautious optimism, particularly for surface water availability, while longer-term groundwater recovery remains an ongoing concern.
