Last week’s powerful winter storms helped boost an important number for Downtown Los Angeles: its rainfall total for the current “water year.”
According to the National Weather Service, the water year runs annually from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. During the 12-month period, the agency measures the total amount of water — rain and snow — that falls.
NBC Los Angeles meteorologist Belen De Leon said on Feb. 20 that DTLA’s rainfall, so far, for the 2025-2026 water year was 18.36 inches, far above the city’s water year rainfall average of 14.25.
We will be seeing warm temperatures throughout the day. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2026.
The California Drought Monitor said last week’s heavy precipitation was widespread across California, and the state “is currently almost completely devoid of any degree of dryness or drought.” As of Feb. 17, the Drought Monitor’s California map showed nearly the entire state devoid of drought.
As of Feb. 24, California Water Watch reported that the statewide water year to date rainfall total was 17.69 inches, 115% of the historical average of 15.43 inches.
The agency also reported that California’s major reservoirs were at 119% of average levels.
The current water year will end on Sept. 30, 2026.
The forecast for Southern California is warm and dry this week due to high pressure. Locals will see morning fog on Wednesday and Thursday along the coast, but temperatures will warm up in the afternoon. Temps are expected to peak between 87 and 89 degrees on Friday in parts of the region, and those warm temps could break records, De Leon said.