Across both Northern and Southern California, spring 2025 was warmer and drier than normal. In Southern California, precipitation since October was about 70% of average, with consistently above-average temperatures in May. Northern California experienced below-normal rainfall, a notable heat wave at the end of May, and about 2,400 lightning strikes—well below the 10-year average. Snowpack in the north Sierra declined rapidly, from 75–80% of normal on May 1 to 20–30% by month’s end. In...
