A ridge of high pressure over the western United States is bringing unusually hot and dry conditions, with record temperatures expected from May 30 to 31, 2025. The hottest areas include southern Nevada, southeast California, and northwest Arizona. Cooler air and possible light rain from a Pacific cold front and Tropical Storm Alvin are forecast to arrive by early June.
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft concluded the CRS-32 commercial resupply mission with a sonic boom and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oceanside, California, at 01:44 EDT (05:44 UTC) on May 25, 2025. The spacecraft returned approximately 3 040 kg (6 700 pounds) of cargo from the International Space Station, including scientific experiments and crew supplies.
The Jaw Fire and Democrat Fire in California’s Kern County have scorched approximately 1 657 ha (4 095 acres) of land as of May 21, 2025. Jaw Fire, the larger of the two, rapidly expanded on May 20, burning over 1 295 ha (3 200 acres) since its ignition on May 19. Meanwhile, the Democrat Fire has consumed about 362 ha (895 acres) since it started on May 18.
Thousands of Velella velella, also known as by-the-wind sailors, washed ashore on beaches in Ventura County, California, from late April to early May 2025. The mass stranding, driven by onshore winds and warm ocean conditions, reflects seasonal oceanographic changes along the California coast.
Heat advisories are in effect across southern California from Friday to Saturday, May 9–10, 2025, with level 3 out of 4 HeatRisk issued for parts of the region due to the increased risk of heat-related illnesses.
A toxic algal bloom impacting marine animals has been observed along the Southern California coast in late April 2025, according to experts. The event, producing the neurotoxin domoic acid, has resulted in the most severe dolphin stranding associated with a toxic algal bloom ever recorded in the region.
M5.2 earthquake that struck San Diego County near Julian on April 14, 2025, occurred along the Elsinore Fault Zone, a major strike-slip fault in Southern California capable of producing earthquakes up to magnitude 7.8. The fault runs near densely populated areas including Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Riverside, and its long period of limited activity may indicate an increased potential for a significant seismic event, according to recent research.
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.2 struck near Julian, San Diego County, at 17:08 UTC (10:08 local time) on April 14, 2025, shaking large areas of Southern California. The agency reports a depth of 14.3 km (9 miles).
California has experienced the third consecutive year with near or above average snowpack this year after 25 years.
Three atmospheric rivers (ARs) are forecast to impact the Pacific Northwest (PNW) from Wednesday, March 19, 2025, into early next week, bringing significant precipitation and potential excessive rainfall to Oregon and Washington.
