By Reginald Stanley. Posted July 1, 2026, 10:45 PM.

The 2025-2026 water year was characterized once again by weak La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific - for the second winter in a row - however seasonal rainfall was generally higher in 2025-2026 than during 2024-2025.

Seasonal rainfall during 2025-2026 ended near-average across the majority of active WeatherCurrents stations, with notable exceptions in Simi Valley and Pinon Hills - both of which exceeded their season averages rather modestly. Elsewhere, season totals were mostly within one or two inches of normal - slightly below season averages. In September 2025, post-Tropical Storm Mario delivered widespread rainfall and convective thunderstorms to Southern California. Unseasonable summer-like heat persisted well into the month of October, briefly pausing for a healthy early season storm during the middle of the month. November was punctuated by heavy rains and milder weather, before warm and dry conditions returned for most of December. Heavy rains returned to the region once again during the final week of 2025, with periodic unsettled wet weather continuing into early January. In what had become a noticeable pattern during the 2025-2026 winter, another extended period of warm, dry weather prevailed once again until mid-February, before the region's weather turned abruptly hot with intense, record-breaking heat throughout nearly all of March 2026. Several minor storms impacted the region in April and early May.

La Nina conditions present during the 2025-2026 winter were nearly identical to that of 2024-2025, however - El Nino conditions had developed by late Spring, prompting the Climate Prediction Center to issue an El Nino advisory for the 2026-2027 winter, as El Nino conditions are expected to strengthen in the coming months. El Nino has historically been associated with above-average rainfall in Southern California, although this does not always occur.

Here are the rain totals for the WeatherCurrents network and associates:

1. French Valley season total incomplete.
2. Riverside (Canyon Crest) season average is likely skewed several inches too low.