Drought in California, December 1 to 31, 2021

Name: Drought in California, December 1 to 31, 2021
Start: 2021-12-01T00:00
End: 2021-12-31T23:59
Location: California

December 1 to 31, 2021 · NWS HNX · 40 events in 40 counties and zones

Although rainfall was above normal for December, nearly all of the central California Interior was classified as being in a moderate to severe drought at the end of December, 2021 due to a long term precipitation deficit. As of December 31, 2021, most of the impacted area has received less than 60% of normal precipitation since July 1, 2020.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 40 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 40

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS HNX wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Hanford, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 30, 4:13 PM PST, 7 hours 47 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 30, 4:13 PM PST, 7 hours 47 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Hanford CA
413 PM PST Tue Nov 30 2021

.UPDATE...
Updated Air Quality Issues Section.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...Patchy fog will be possible next morning across the
San Joaquin Valley. Above average afternoon temperatures nearly 10
degrees above normal Wednesday and Thursday. Cooler temperatures
as the ridge overhead flattens by the weekend, with highs in the
low to mid 60s. An inside slider trough may bring cooler temps,
breezy conditions, and a slight chance of precip across the region
early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Clear skies across the San Joaquin Valley are occuring across the
region today, which will allow afternoon highs to upper 60s.
We haven't seen much fog lately due to a drier airmass over the
district, and models continue to indicate that patchy, shallow
fog could occur tonight. In terms of afternoon highs, there will
be a warming trend the next few days. A Rex Block pattern has been
occuring over California, with the ridge axis overhead. Model
guidance continues to show this pattern remain in place for the
next few days, allow afternoon highs to reach temperatures well
above average. High temperatures in the low 70s are possible
across the valley on Thursday. Currently, NBM guidance is showing
a 59% chance of tying the 71 degree record high for Dec 2nd in
Merced, and a 55% chance of tying the record high of 72 degrees
for Dec 2nd in Hanford.

Afternoon highs are expected to begin retreating on Friday a
couple of degrees as the ridge flattens. The Rex Block pattern
however is still forecast to remain in place through the weekend,
so no precip is expected. By late Monday/Tuesday, ensembles are
indicating an inside slider shortwave trough could pass over
Central California. This could bring cooler air, breezy
conditions, and a slight chance of light precip over Central
California.

&&

.AVIATION...In the San Joaquin Valley, areas of VFR/MVFR
conditions with isolated IFR visibility due to haze/mist after
03z Wednesday through 18z Wednesday. Otherwise, VFR conditions
prevailing elsewhere across the Central CA Interior for the next
24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
On Wednesday December 1 2021... Unhealthy for sensitive groups in
Fresno... Kern... Kings and Tulare Counties.  Fireplace/Wood Stove
Burning Status is: No Burning Unless Registered in Kings...
Madera... Merced and Tulare Counties. No Burning For All in Fresno
and Kern Counties.
Further information is available at Valleyair.org

.CERTAINTY...

The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high.
The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium.

Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit
www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.html for additional information
an/or to provide feedback.

&&

.HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

public...Bollenbacher
aviation....Bollenbacher

weather.gov/hanford

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

40 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.975, -120.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The West Side Mountains north of Highway 198 were classified as being in a severe to extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Merced-Madera-Mendota

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Merced-Madera-Mendota forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.056, -120.043 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Merced, Madera and Mendota areas were classified as being in an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Planada-Legrand-Snelling

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Planada-Legrand-Snelling forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.331, -120.129 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Planada, Legrand and Snelling areas were classified as being in an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Coalinga - Avenal

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Coalinga - Avenal forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.417, -119.732 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Coalinga and Avenal areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Los Banos-Dos Palos

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Los Banos-Dos Palos forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.975, -120.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Los Banos and Dos Palos areas were classified as being in an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, West Side of Fresno and Kings Counties

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Side of Fresno and Kings Counties forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.417, -119.732 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The West Side of Fresno and Kings Counties were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Caruthers, San Joaquin and Selma areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Fresno - Clovis

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Fresno and Clovis areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, West Side Mountains South of Highway 198

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Side Mountains South of Highway 198 forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.059, -119.398 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The West Side Mountains south of Highway 198 were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Buttonwillow- Lost Hills - I5

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Buttonwillow- Lost Hills - I5 forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.709, -119.273 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Buttonwillow and Lost Hills areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Delano - Wasco - Shafter

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Delano - Wasco - Shafter forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.879, -119.115 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Delano, Wasco and Shafter areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.351, -119.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Hanford, Corcoran and Lemoore areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Visalia - Porterville - Reedley

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Visalia - Porterville - Reedley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Visalia, Porterville and Reedley areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Buena Vista

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Buena Vista forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Buena Vista area was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Bakersfield

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Bakersfield forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Bakersfield area was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Southeast San Joaquin Valley

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Southeast San Joaquin Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southeast San Joaquin Valley was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End San Joaquin Valley

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: South End San Joaquin Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South End of the San Joaquin Valley was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mariposa - Madera Foothills

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Mariposa - Madera Foothills forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.331, -120.129 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Mariposa and Madera County Foothills were classified as being in an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.400, -119.834 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Mariposa and Madera County Lower Sierra were classified as being in a severe to extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Fresno - Tulare Foothills

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Fresno - Tulare Foothills forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Fresno and Tulare County Foothills were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Fresno - Tulare Lower Sierra

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Fresno - Tulare Lower Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Fresno and Tulare County Lower Sierra were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End Sierra Foothills

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: South End Sierra Foothills forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South End Sierra Foothills were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End of the Lower Sierra

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: South End of the Lower Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South End of the Lower Sierra was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Yosemite National Park outside of the valley was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Yosemite Valley

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.582, -119.905 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Yosemite Valley was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, San Joaquin River Canyon

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: San Joaquin River Canyon forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The San Joaquin River Canyon was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Upper San Joaquin River

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Upper San Joaquin River area was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge area was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Kings Canyon Np

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Kings Canyon Np forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Kings Canyon National Park was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Grant Grove Area

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Grant Grove Area forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Grant Grove area was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Sequoia Np

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Sequoia Np forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.220, -118.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sequoia National Park was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The South End of the Upper Sierra was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Kern River Valley

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Kern River Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Kern River Valley was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Piute - Walker Pass (Basin?)

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Piute - Walker Pass (Basin?) forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Piute and Walker Pass areas were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Tehachapi

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Tehachapi forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tehachapi area was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Grapevine

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Grapevine forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Grapevine area was classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Frazier Mountain Communities

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Frazier Mountain Communities forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Frazier Mountain Communities were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Indian Wells Valley

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Indian Wells Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Parts of the Indian Wells Valley were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Mojave Desert Slopes were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mojave Desert

When: December 1, 12:00 AM PST to December 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Parts of the Mojave Desert were classified as being in a severe drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

What these are

Drought: A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in California, December 2021

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 991761, 991762, 991763, 991764, 991765, 991766, 991767, 991768, 991769, 991770, 991771, 991772, 991773, 991774, 991775, 991776, 991777, 991778, 991779, 991780, 991781, 991782, 991783, 991784, 991785, 991786, 991787, 991788, 991789, 991790, 991791, 991792, 991793, 991794, 991795, 991796, 991797, 991798, 991799, 991800.