Increased rainfall across Los Angeles County, including in Santa Clarita, has helped stem the tide of the state’s drought, but ending dry conditions in California is reportedly far from over.

Drought conditions, while continuing during the winter season, have improved slightly thanks to massive rainfall increases in December.

One of the wettest Decembers ever across southwestern California during 2021,” National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles officials stated. “[downtown Los Angeles] had its 3rd wettest December since 1877.”

Seasonal rain totals so far. Most areas are around 200 percent of where we normally would be at this time of the year. What a great start! Thanks @vcwatershed for the graphics. #cawx #LArain pic.twitter.com/Vw38vRqOkF

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 2, 2022

See Related: More Rain, Mountain Snow In Santa Clarita Weather Forecast

Rainfall totals for the month of December included 6.81 inches for Castaic, 5.84 inches for Valencia, 6.29 inches for Saugus and 6.59 for Santa Clarita, according to NWS Los Angeles data.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, between Dec. 21 and Dec. 28, drought conditions in Santa Clarita and most of Los Angeles County decreased from ‘extreme drought’ to ‘severe drought.’

The U.S. Drought Monitor rates are based on five levels of severity. D0 indicates abnormally dry conditions, D1 indicates moderate drought, D2 indicates severe drought, D3 indicates extreme drought and D4 means there is an exceptional drought.

Santa Clarita is currently in a moderate drought, with reservoir levels being likely low and water temperatures higher than they should be.

In a map dating back to Sept. 28, Santa Clarita appeared to be in an area of exceptional drought, meaning that in the past three months it has dropped from a D4 to D2 level drought.

This week, highs of around the 60s or even low 70s, and evening lows in the 40s, with mostly sunny weather, are predicted by the NWS.

“The December storms have helped alleviate but not eliminate current drought conditions and more storms will be needed as we move through the winter season,” officials with the California Department of Water Resources stated.

For more information on weather updates for Santa Clarita and L.A. County, click here.

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