Southern California has experienced a surprisingly wet winter, sparking an above-average bloom of wildflowers in the desert, particularly in Death Valley, which is witnessing some of the most robust blooms in recent years. Experts, however, are hesitant to label it a true “blockbuster.”
They believe that this bloom could be among the strongest seen in a decade, especially in the low-lying areas near Badwater Road and Highway 190, with expectations that the colors will linger into mid-to-late March.
The National Park Service noted, “We are having a year of blooming that is higher than usual,” in an update shared on Sunday.
While the current blooms do not surpass the numbers seen in previous ‘super bloom’ years, there is still a noticeable increase compared to the usual patterns.
NPS added that “low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely continue into mid-late March, depending on weather conditions.”
“Flowers typically bloom from April to June at higher altitudes.”
This optimism isn’t unfounded, as the rainfall totals have been significant. As of Sunday, downtown Los Angeles recorded 18.36 inches of rain since October 1, which is 84% above normal. Burbank reported even higher, at 18.90 inches, or 202% of its average.
Dry Death Valley National Park also saw 2.54 inches of rain during this timeframe, equating to 202% of normal, following claims that it was the wettest year on record for the park.
Such totals reflect a pattern of rainfall that could lead to an unusually vibrant wildflower season.
The wildflower explosion of 2016 in Death Valley serves as the recent benchmark for what a true “superbloom” looks like, fueled by a perfectly timed winter storm that blanketed the desert in color.
This event coincided with a strong El Niño phenomenon, generating a significant influx of visitors, with March attendance spiking by 37% compared to the previous year.
Park officials later characterized this as a once-in-a-decade occurrence, thanks to consistent rainfall followed by favorable spring temperatures.
The difference between the 2016 bloom and the current conditions in 2025-2026 is marked. In the lead-up to the iconic 2016 superbloom, Death Valley recorded just 1.44 inches of rainfall during a similar period, while Los Angeles had lower-than-average rainfall, around 46 to 52% of normal.
In contrast, the 2025-2026 season is clearly wetter.
However, simply having rain doesn’t guarantee a full bloom. Timing and distribution play critical roles. A wet fall must be complemented by steady winter moisture to keep seedlings thriving, and intense heat or strong winds can quickly put an end to the blooms.
The 2016 Death Valley bloom benefitted from well-timed early rains, which proves that raw precipitation totals are just one part of the equation.
Erica Newman, a plant ecology professor at James Madison University, noted that these spectacular blooms happen “probably once every 10 years” and are influenced by factors beyond just rainfall.
“This is due to a combination of ecological cues, like temperature, which promotes germination, alongside higher-than-normal precipitation during the rainy season,” she explained.
“Given the humidity this year, there’s a reasonable chance we could see a super bloom,” she mentioned, though there are many unknowns in predicting such an event.
“Multiple factors, from air and soil temperatures to frost and high winds, can adversely affect young plants and deter super blooms,” she added.
Interestingly, the term “super bloom” itself lacks a formal scientific definition.
“It’s somewhat of a new term for a broad ecological event that doesn’t always happen,” she stated.
