# California drought Share of state area in drought (D1-D4) or worse, week over week _Data through Aug 11, 2026 · source last checked Aug 13, 2026 · page revised Aug 13, 2026_ > Drought held steady week over week (now 7%). California held at 7% of its area in moderate drought or worse, unchanged on the week. Coverage worsened one point month over month but fell 33 points year over year, 33 points below the 5-year median of 40%. ## The numbers | Period | Current | Prior | Change | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Week over week | 7% | 7% | +0 pts | | Month over month | 7% | 6% | +1 pts | | Year over year | 7% | 40% | -33 pts | | vs 5-yr median | 7% | 40% | -33 pts | ## About this data - Source: US Drought Monitor (National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, NOAA) - Series: Share of area in moderate drought (D1) or worse - Geography: California - Unit: % - Calculation period: Conditions as of the prior Tuesday - Last observation: Aug 11, 2026 - Update frequency: Weekly, released Thursdays --- Cite: California: 7% of area in drought (D1-D4) or worse as of Aug 11, 2026 (US Drought Monitor). The Waterline. https://the-waterline.com/drought/california Canonical URL: https://the-waterline.com/drought/california