The rain came a little late in the season but at a still-opportune moment. Abundant autumn rainfall – causing damage in some areas – was able to infiltrate the soil while vegetation was at rest. It therefore activated the groundwater recharge period from the end of October. Water tables are in great need of replenishment after a long period of drought that began in 2022.

In its December 14 report, the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (French Geological and Mining Research Bureau, BRGM) assessed that "the situation is improving considerably." Indeed, 78% of BRGM's observation points showed an upward trend by December 1 (41% in October). Specifically, 48% are above normal monthly levels and 11% are at comparable levels – while 41% remain below. This is nevertheless a relief compared with November 2022, when 70% of observation points plateaued below normal.

The map of mainland France, however, shows discrepancies. In the northern two-thirds of the country and the southwest, reactive aquifers – whose geological nature enables them to recharge in a matter of days or even hours – showed "very high" levels. Still, rainfall remains too low to compensate for deficits accumulated by the Languedoc and Roussillon aquifers since 2022. These are the only water tables whose levels are still lower than a year ago. The Pyrénées-Orientales department on France's southern border continues to suffer from severe water shortages. Their aquifer levels are classified as "very low."

Inertial water tables, which have very slow recharge cycles, were at their lowest levels at the end of November in southern Alsace, a region that has experienced several successive winters of rainfall deficit. Water tables are still below normal levels in Corsica, the Mediterranean region, the Limagne plain in Auvergne, central France, the Rhône-Saône corridor in eastern France, and the Paris Basin.