Weekly percent area affected by drought in California 2021-2025, by category

On the third month of 2025, over 11 percent of California's area was affected by extreme drought conditions (D3). Nevertheless, in 2024, the state's area not affected by droughts had increased by some 57 percent, from the first week of the year, to the last. On average, the percent area of the continental United States affected by severe to exceptional drought in 2024 was roughly 10 percent. Possible impacts of exceptional droughts (D4) include shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and other water sources, resulting in water emergencies, in addition to possible substantial crop and pasture losses.