SOUTHLAND – (INT) – Southern California is nearing drought conditions – again – although most reservoirs are in good shape and the High Sierra snowpack is above average.

Rain and snowfall since the start of the water year on October 1st is almost non-existent in many communities.

What has fallen has not been enough to start the wintertime ‘green-up’ of grasses and weeds.

Rainfall since October 1st, 2024:
Riverside (Canyon Crest) .13
San Bernardino .28
Ontario .15
Fontana .83
Beaumont .25
Palm Springs .00

The National Weather Service notes that so far this is the third driest water year on record. This last happened 7-years ago. In contrast, heavy snowfall blanketed the San Bernardino Mountain resorts the past two winters when El Nino was in full force. Drier La Nina conditions set in during the fall of 2024.

Story Date: January 23, 2025