The Golden State is Fully Free of Drought for the First Time in Two and a Half Decades.

For the first time in 25 years, not a single part of the state is experiencing water scarcity. This landmark event comes on the heels of grueling years marked by below-average rain that intensified fire dangers and challenged its huge agribusiness.

A Chart Indicates Zero Dryness

Thursday's report from the national drought tracker showed that all of California is clear of any level of drought. This shift came after a period of above-normal rainfall that helped fill water storage sites like the state's largest lakes well above their typical levels.

“For anyone 25 or under you’ve only known in a world where California has been in or emerging from drought,” noted a weather expert.

After Severe Systems to Wet Holidays

Achieving this status featured severe and lethal winter storms that pummeled the state in the not-too-distant past, leading to widespread flooding, power outages, and fatalities. Even though those events began to alleviate the drought, they weren't enough to erase it completely.

Until late December, regions like northeastern California were considered unusually parched. Heavy rains at the start of the new year eliminated those last vestiges of dryness.

Essential Mountain Snowfall Presents a Challenge

But, hydrologists note that being out of drought does not mean having no water worries. Latest data of the high-elevation snow place it at approximately 70 percent of the average for this date.

This frozen reservoir, which provides a significant portion of the state's water supply as it thaws later in the year, is a key piece for future water availability. Water officials have emphasized that it is too early to make predictions for the annual water supply.

“The trend we’re looking at right now is more rain than snow,” said a California water official. “We’d like to see the snow accumulation to increase by April 1st so that we’re approaching the typical mark.”

Although the monitor shows a clean slate, attention turns to sustaining this positive water situation throughout the months to come.