🌵 California Drought Monitor
Current drought conditions and weekly trends for California. Data sourced from NOAA / US Drought Monitor.
Live Data • Last updated: May 19, 2026
Advertisement
D0
Dominant
California is in Abnormally Dry
Dominant drought category as of May 19, 2026
Drought Category Breakdown
Percentage of California's land area in each drought category.
40%
60%
No Drought
D0 — Abnormally Dry
D1 — Moderate Drought
D2 — Severe Drought
D3 — Extreme Drought
D4 — Exceptional Drought
📋 Drought Impact Assessment
Currently, 60.26% of California's land area is classified as Abnormally Dry (D0), while 39.74% is free from drought conditions. Moderate Drought (D1) affects 6.69% of the state, indicating that 6.7% of California is experiencing drought conditions of D1 or worse.
Abnormally Dry conditions can lead to reduced water availability across various sectors. Agriculture, which relies heavily on irrigation, may face challenges due to lower soil moisture levels. Municipal water supplies could be impacted as reservoirs begin to dwindle, while recreational activities dependent on water bodies may also see restrictions. The state's reliance on Sierra Nevada snowpack for water supply makes these conditions particularly concerning as snowmelt plays a critical role in replenishing reservoirs during the spring and summer months.
Abnormally Dry conditions can lead to reduced water availability across various sectors. Agriculture, which relies heavily on irrigation, may face challenges due to lower soil moisture levels. Municipal water supplies could be impacted as reservoirs begin to dwindle, while recreational activities dependent on water bodies may also see restrictions. The state's reliance on Sierra Nevada snowpack for water supply makes these conditions particularly concerning as snowmelt plays a critical role in replenishing reservoirs during the spring and summer months.