Catholic bishops are asking for divine intervention as California endures what appears to be its third straight dry winter. The California Conference of Catholic Bishops on Tuesday called on people of all faiths to join in prayers for rain.
Reservoirs are at historic lows after the state completed one of the driest calendar years on record.
Some cities already are restricting water use, while prospects for another dry summer have raised alarm about agriculture and wildfires.
Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto, president of the bishops' conference, suggested a prayer for God to "open the heavens and let His mercy rain down upon our fields and mountains."
The National Weather Service says a strong high pressure system is preventing Pacific storms from moving across California.
Little precipitation is expected before late January.