The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows growing dryness in California. Parts of the northwest corner of the state are now in the abnormally dry category. The typical impacts in this category include growing fire risk, dry soils, and more required irrigation. Other areas in the state remained unchanged as of June 3, 2025. Much of Central and Southern California are in some drought category. The Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley from Merced County to parts of Kern County is in moderate drought. Surrounding hill areas remain abnormally dry. Farther south, from Santa Barbara to San Diego Counties, coastal and inland communities remain in severe drought. Dryness intensifies in parts of Inyo County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, San Diego and Imperial County where extreme drought conditions are present. The most intense category is exceptional drought which only covers a small portion of the southeast corner of Imperial County.

Other drought news around the West:

• CBS News: Drought conditions improve in Northern Colorado, but Western Slope still struggling
• AZ Family (Phoenix, Ariz.): Video: New drought report shows affect of rare June rain in Arizona​