Following a recent winter storm that pummeled California with rain and snow, the state is officially drought-free for the first time in 25 years, as reported by the US Drought Monitor.

December 2000 marked the last occasion when California had no areas classified as “abnormally dry” or experiencing drought.

While this drought-free status is encouraging news for water management, many residents are still dealing with the aftermath of severe atmospheric river storms that led to significant rainfall and widespread flooding. In contrast, high-altitude regions are grappling with heavy snowfall and increased avalanche risks.

Between December 20 and the end of the year, some parts of Northern California received nearly 7 inches of rain, while Southern California saw up to 4 inches. As New Year’s approached, California faced additional rounds of significant rain and flooding, raising the levels of the state’s 17 major reservoirs to an impressive 129% of their average capacity, according to state records.

This wet winter has boosted snowfall in California, which is crucial for the state’s water supply. However, snowfall levels remain below average. In late December, the California Department of Water Resources reported that measurements from 130 stations across the Sierra Nevada reveal a snow water equivalent of 6.5 inches, which is only 71% of the expected average for this time of year.

Nonetheless, officials are optimistic. The key months for snowfall in California—January, February, and March—are still ahead.

“It’s still early in the season, and the state’s water supply this year will ultimately depend on the frequency of storms continuing throughout the winter and early spring,” stated Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, state hydrographer with the Department of Water Resources, in a statement on December 30.

Typically, the Sierra Nevada snowpack provides about 30% of California’s annual water needs.

In contrast to California, other regions in the West, including Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, are enduring persistently dry conditions with snowfall well below normal levels.

Utah is facing record-low snowfall, with 93% of the state currently experiencing drought, according to the Utah Department of Water Resources.

Furthermore, in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, over 80% of monitoring stations report a “snow drought,” as defined by snow water equivalents falling below the 20th percentile, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.