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Rain in California won't be enough to ease severe drought

California Storms
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Northern California is finally getting drenched this week. But experts say the rain won't be enough to end the drought plaguing the western United States.

California's climate is hotter and drier now and that means the rain and snow that does fall is likely to evaporate or absorb into the soil.

Some of California's most important reservoirs are at record-low levels.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a statewide emergency drought declaration and given regulators permission to impose mandatory water restrictions.

The rain has helped contain stubborn wildfires. But experts say it will take many seasons of multiple storms to end the drought.

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Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

12/30/2025

Cloudy

54° / 46°

4%

Wednesday

12/31/2025

AM Showers

53° / 50°

43%

Thursday

01/01/2026

AM Rain

59° / 48°

71%

Friday

01/02/2026

Cloudy

65° / 55°

10%

Saturday

01/03/2026

AM Showers

59° / 50°

42%

Sunday

01/04/2026

AM Clouds/PM Sun

58° / 46°

11%

Monday

01/05/2026

Partly Cloudy

57° / 46°

12%

Tuesday

01/06/2026

Mostly Cloudy

55° / 44°

24%