Kern County is back in a drought. The U.S Drought Monitor says Kern has once again slipped into severe drought conditions. In fact, most of Southern California, as well as the southeastern portion of Kern County, is now facing severe drought conditions. Other parts of Kern County are now under “abnormally dry” or “moderate drought” conditions. The drought conditions come after several months without significant rain. The last time Kern County saw severe drought conditions was in February 2023 — about a month before an intense atmospheric river brought several inches of rain and snow to the region. The U.S. Drought Monitor categorizes the intensity of drought in five different levels: abnormally dry, moderate, severe, extreme, and exceptional — the most intense.