Drought conditions in Southern California have significantly worsened in the past week, with no new rain falling and fierce Santa Ana winds further drying out the landscape, according to the latest data from the US Drought Monitor.
The data reveals that nearly all of Southern California is currently experiencing level 2 of 4 'severe' drought conditions. In Los Angeles County, 90% of the area is now in severe drought, marking the worst drought since November of 2022. Just two weeks ago, there was no severe drought reported in the county.
Typically, January is the second-wettest month in Southern California. However, Los Angeles has not seen any rainfall since the beginning of the year. This lack of precipitation, coupled with the increasing drought, has extended the region's wildfire season well beyond its usual end date. The dry conditions have also fueled intense wildfires driven by Santa Ana winds, which have been able to spread rapidly through the dry vegetation.
