Key Points

• Much of California and Nevada received near-normal precipitation throughout the 2024 Water Year. After a dry start, the region benefited from late season storms in February and March. 
  
  
• Near-record summer temperatures dried out the landscape, increasing the percentage of California-Nevada that is Abnormally Dry (D0) or in drought from 1.96% on June 1 to 85.47% on October 1. 
  
  
• Severe Drought (D2) developed in southern Nevada and southeastern California since the start of Water Year 2025, in part due to a lack of summer monsoon activity. 
  
  
• Despite recent dryness, reservoir levels throughout the region remain at or above historical averages. 
  
  
• The 2024 fire season thus far was higher than 2023, but below recent averages. Elevated risk for significant wildland fire remains along southern coastal California. 
  
  
• The start of Water Year 2025 has been dry, building on the preexisting conditions. Current outlooks indicate a wet pattern in the short term (next 2 weeks) and equal chances of above-normal, normal, or below-normal precipitation in the long term. Regularly tracking the forecast and outlooks will be important as we move into the wetter months. 

This update is based on data available as of Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT. We acknowledge that conditions are evolving.


Source: National Integrated Drought Information System/NOAA