‘Extreme’ drought in California due to atmospheric flows almost eliminated

The “extreme” drought, the second-highest drought level, has been nearly eliminated in California after storms caused by atmospheric flows that have hit the state in recent weeks.

The extreme drought fell to 0.32% in figures released Thursday, from 27.1% last week, according to the US drought monitor. “Severe” drought, the third highest level, went from 71% to 46%.

Parts of California have received more than 3 feet of rain since Christmas, while the Sierra Nevada mountains had a record-breaking snowy start to the season and already topped the seasonal average.

The data includes rain collected up to 4am on January 9, while excluding the last two days of heavy rain.

The flooding isn’t helping the Colorado River Basin that much, the region that needs the most help — including Lake Mead and Lake Powell — because they’re in the heart of a 22-year mega-drought.

Lake Mead is at 28% occupancy after hitting record lows last summer.

DEVELOPMENT: More details will be added to this report as they become available. ABC News contributed to this report.