Severe Droughts Are Becoming More Common in California 🚱

What We're Showing

California's drought conditions from January 2000 to Jan. 7 2025 by share of land area experiencing drought.

The data comes from the U.S. Drought Monitor, created by the National Integrated Drought Information System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Drought Mitigation Center.

Extreme Droughts on the Rise in California

While drought is a common occurrence in California that can last for multiple years, the frequency of severe droughts has been increasing in recent years as a result of climate change.

Droughts disrupt water supplies and agriculture, which cause significant economic losses, job cuts, and reduced crop production.

In 2021, the drought led to statewide costs of $1.7 billion and over 14,000 job losses, with many of these impacts concentrated in the Central Valley.

These prolonged dry periods also create the perfect conditions for wildfires, turning parched vegetation into highly flammable fuel.

The current Los Angeles wildfires that began on January 7, have been fueled by a combination of severe drought conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds.