The Santa Clarita Valley has entered a “moderate drought,” with nearly the entire state of California experiencing similar or worse conditions.

Unfortunately the lack of rain this fall is increasing the #drought conditions across CA. Over 95% of the state is now in a D1 or worse drought category. With a La Nina in progress across the eastern Tropics, drought is expected to expand across the West. #CAwx #LAweather pic.twitter.com/l0jjcpEIXB

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 10, 2020

On Thursday, officials with the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) released their weekly update, which placed an estimated 95.17% of the state of California under a drought category, including the Santa Clarita Valley.

“This U.S. Drought Monitor week saw intensification of drought across parts of the western U.S. including California, Nevada, and Colorado where precipitation has been below normal since the beginning of the Water Year (Oct 1),” a statement from the USDM reads.

The updated map, which shows data gathered on Dec. 8, places Santa Clarita in a “D1” category, meaning that the valley is experiencing “moderate drought conditions.”

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Regions placed under the D1 category typically see stunted dryland pasture growth, as well as lower stock ponds and creeks, according to the USDM.

Statewide, the six-month period from the beginning of June to the end of November was the hottest and driest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

Officials with the National Weather Service forecast that drought conditions will further develop across Southern California, lasting into the winter and remaining throughout the state.

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