SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- San Francisco recorded no measurable rain in January and the National Weather Service declared it the driest month on record for the San Francisco Bay Area.
It is the first time this occurs in the 165 years since the region's weather started being recorded. Average rainfall for the month of January in the city is 4.5 inches of rain.
The city of Santa Cruz also recorded no rainfall in the month of January for the first time since 1893.
The past three years are the lowest of five January rainfalls on record -- 0.06 inches of rain fell in 2014 and less than half an inch in 2013.
About 78 percent of California is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Last April was the first time in 15 years that the entire state of California was suffering drought conditions.
