Drought in California, November 1 to 30, 2021

Name: Drought in California, November 1 to 30, 2021
Start: 2021-11-01T00:00
End: 2021-11-30T23:59
Location: California

November 1 to 30, 2021 · NWS STO · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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 STO wrote it up.

Northern California typically experiences a wet season, October through May, and a dry season May through September. Last year's water year, October 2019 through September 2020, was one of the driest on records. This likely contributed to the U.S. Drought Monitor's decision to place portions of interior northern California into extreme drought on September 29, 2020. Portions of Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yolo, Solano, Yuba, Nevada, and Sacramento counties remain in extreme drought. The rest of interior northern California was placed into severe drought (D2) on December 8; however, the state of California has not announced that these locations are in drought. On 4/21/2021 the Biden-Harris administration announced the formation of an Interagency Working Group to address worsening drought conditions in the West. On 5/10/2021 Governor Gavin Newsom significantly expanded his April 21 drought emergency proclamation to include Klamath River, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Tulare Lake Watershed counties where accelerated action is needed to protect public health, safety and the environment. In total, 41 counties are now under a drought state of emergency, representing 30 percent of the state’s population. By late June more wildlife was observed in urban interfaces than normal, notably bears and rattlesnakes, in search of wetter, cooler conditions. Widespread water theft has also been reported. On July 8th, the Governor of California asked for all Californian's including businesses, to voluntarily reduce water usage by 15%. On August 10th DWR reported the drought has led to a 123% increase in the number of acres burned this year, compared to 2020. DWR also reported that the low reservoir water levels have also affected energy supplies, agriculture, communities and state recreation parks. By October, Glenn County received 210 reports of well related incidents. Of the 210 reports, 148 selected the dry well designation. An estimated 2.6% of endangered juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon survived the season. In the month of October, some improvement was made to the drought condition further improving by the end of November. However, drought conditions continue across interior northern California.

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 Sacramento, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 31, 12:49 PM PST, 11 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 31, 12:49 PM PST, 11 hours 11 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
149 PM PDT Sun Oct 31 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
Dry weather today, then another weather system will bring light to
moderate amounts of precipitation on Monday. More rain is expected
after mid-week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Late tonight into Monday morning the a weak system will begin to
spread over the coastal range and northern areas spreading east
and south during the day with places south of US-50 in the
Motherlode and mountains probably not seeing any rain until the
afternoon. This will also be the coolest day through Wednesday
with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below normal. Snow levels will
be high between 7500 to 8000 feet with minimal snowfall confined
to the peaks. Rainfall amounts look slightly reduced from
yesterday. Amounts look to range from less than a tenth of an inch
for Northern Sam Joaquin County to up to a couple of tenths of an
inch for Sacramento to half to three quarters of an inch over the
north end of the valley. Breezy conditions also look likely for
the central and north end of the valley on Monday.

The main part of the jet stream will end up moving the stronger
precipitation into Oregon and the northwest coast of California.
As the system spreads inland it will be weakening further south as
it tries to move inland. Lingering showers can be expected Monday
night over the Sacramento valley and mountains before ending
early Tuesday morning.

Ridging Tuesday will bring the return of warmer temperatures and
dry weather. A wetter system will start to move into the region
Wednesday night.

&&
.EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Thursday THROUGH Sunday)...

By Thursday, widespread precipitation and some gusty winds will be
impacting interior NorCal. Snow levels with this system should
stay above pass levels, keeping snow impacts minimal. On Friday,
upper level ridging will set up over the region, bringing with it
drier weather. Below normal temperatures will continue across the
area through Sunday. There is the potential for another Pacific
storm towards the tail end of the extended. At this time, models
are keeping most precipitation associated with that system to the
north of our CWA.

&&

&&

.AVIATION...

Generally VFR conditions through 12Z Monday. Surface winds below 12
knots. A storm system moves into interior Northern California
overnight into tomorrow. RDD/RBL will see impacts first with -RA
expected near 15Z Monday, and after 18Z for Sacramento terminals
southward.

&&

.STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

Event by event

12 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Shasta Lake/North Shasta County

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Shasta Lake/North Shasta County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved all of Zone 13 to extreme drought (D3).The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. By November, it was reported that an estimated 2.6% of endangered juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon survived the season leading to concern about the future of the species. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Burney Basin/Eastern Shasta County

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Burney Basin/Eastern Shasta County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved all of Zone 14 to extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Northern Sacramento Valley

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Northern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved all of Zone 15 to extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. By November it was reported that an estimated 2.6% of endangered juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon survived the season leading to concern about the future of the species. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Central Sacramento Valley

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Central Sacramento Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved all of Zone 16 to extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. By November it was reported that an estimated 2.6% of endangered juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon survived the season leading to concern about the future of the species. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Southern Sacramento Valley

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Southern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the majority of Zone 17 to extreme drought (D3) with only the southern border of Sacramento County remaining in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. By November it was reported that an estimated 2.6% of endangered juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon survived the season leading to concern about the future of the species. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Carquinez Strait and Delta

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Carquinez Strait and Delta forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved portions of Zone 18 to extreme drought (D3) with the southeastern portion of the zone remaining in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. By November it was reported that an estimated 2.6% of endangered juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon survived the season leading to concern about the future of the species. The temporary rock wall in the Delta remains in place until further notice that was originally expected to be dismantled in November. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Northern San Joaquin Valley

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Northern San Joaquin Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the far northeastern portion of Zone 19 to extreme drought (D3) with the rest of the zone remaining in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved all of Zone 63 to extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of Zone 66 in extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Motherlode/Camptonville to Groveland

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Motherlode/Camptonville to Groveland forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved much of Zone 67 to extreme drought (D3) and kept the southern portion of the zone in exceptional drought (D4) which covers Calaveras County and Tuolumne County. The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, Mt Shasta/Western Plumas County

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Mt Shasta/Western Plumas County forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of Zone 68 in extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

Drought, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

When: November 1, 12:00 AM PST to November 30, 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of November, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the majority of Zone 69 to extreme drought (D3) with only the south-central portion of the zone in Tuolumne county remaining in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already affecting the region, however, there are some signs of improvement. Drought conditions may continue to improve as we continue into the rainy season that started October 1st.

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, November 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: 991650, 991651, 991652, 991653, 991654, 993145, 993147, 993152, 993207, 993209, 993210, 993212.