Drought in California, April 1 to 30, 2022

Name: Drought in California, April 1 to 30, 2022
Start: 2022-04-01T00:00
End: 2022-04-30T23:59
Location: California

April 1 to 30, 2022 · NWS STO · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

Interior northern California is still experiencing widespread drought. Impacts from the relatively dry start to the calendar year have started to become evident across interior Northern California.

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.

Interior northern California is still experiencing widespread drought. Impacts from the relatively dry start to the calendar year have started to become evident across interior Northern California. Much of the region has increased the severity of the drought conditions with only the Delta remaining unchanged in drought level declaration for the month of March. Many local and regional, as well as state-wide restrictions continue with plans for increased restrictions forthcoming. Agricultural surface water deliveries are already scheduled to be significantly reduced. The state-wide drought declaration by governor Gavin Newsom also continues. Mandatory water restrictions are in place on outdoor water use for all Californians with possible fines to violators.

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 Mar 31, 9:33 PM PST, 2 hours 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 9:33 PM PST, 2 hours 27 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
1033 PM PDT Thu Mar 31 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
Breezy winds today in the Sacramento Valley. Mostly dry with
seasonably warm temperatures. Temperatures trend warmer mid to
late week. Record highs possible next week Thursday and Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The Evening Update: Satellite imagery indicates the ridge axis has
shifted Ewd to virtually the W Coast with dry subsiding air over
Norcal. The decorative high clouds we saw late this afternoon have
also been shunted Ewd yielding clear skies over the area. 24 hour
change chart indicates lower dewpoints and RHs this evening which
should also trend towards little if any fog/low cloud issues Fri
morning. In fact the HREF IFR probability progs show just a small
patch of these conditions generally in a circle and including the
the Elk Grove, KMHR, Galt areas for example, with a low probability
(~30+ pct chance) of these conditions occurring from around 0500-
0900.

A milder day is forecast for Fri as high pressure moves over the
area. But some cooling is possible across the Nrn zones on Sat due
to minor synoptic cooling as a trof moves across the Pac NW. Breezy
Nly winds are forecast to develop on the W side of the Sac Vly
behind this system. These winds are likely to cause some adiabatic
warming over the Srn zones especially in the Solano Co area due to
downslope flow off the Vaca Mtns.  JHM

.Previous Discussion...
After some patchy morning fog, clear skies have returned to much of
interior northern California this afternoon. Weak shortwave in the
Great Basin is promoting locally breezy northerly winds, notably
along the western half of the Sacramento Valley as well as the wind-
prone mountain and foothill locations (e.g., Jarbo Gap). Current
observations place these wind gusts in the 20 to 30 mph range.
Temperatures are already running a solid 4 to 9 deg F warmer
compared to 24 hours ago, which will translate similarly to the
afternoon highs. Expect Valley communities to warm to the 70s, or
about 2 to 6 deg F above late March climatology.

Upper-level ridge axis will drift over the West Coast on Friday,
allowing for further warming as the work week concludes. Highs
will range from the upper 70s to low 80s in the Valley.

Progressive upper-level pattern will quickly push Friday's ridge
inland as a weak upper-level wave arrives to the Pacific
Northwest on Saturday. Main weather-related impact associated with
this system will be renewed breezy northerly winds; precipitation
chances are nil. Only minor day-to-day temperature changes are
forecast from Friday to Saturday. Another trough will approach
Oregon and Washington State on Sunday that will help bring
synoptic cooling to northern California. // Rowe

&&

.EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Monday THROUGH Thursday)...
Upper-level trough in the Pacific Northwest will bring slight
precipitation chances to far northern California on Monday. Latest
Weather Prediction Center guidance does bring very minor QPF into
portions of Shasta County and the southern Cascades; elsewhere
dry conditions are expected.

From Tuesday onward, ensembles and clusters then advertise a
broad upper-level ridge in the eastern Pacific that will drift
toward the West Coast. This ridge will amplify as it approaches
the coastline, and bring rapid warming throughout the region. Near
/slightly-above normal temperatures on Monday will quickly become
well-above normal by next week Tuesday/ Wednesday with widespread
80s. Further warming is expected for next week Thursday with
widespread low 90s quite conceivable. Latest run of the National
Blend of Models gives Sacramento and Redding both a 60-65% chance
of exceeding 90 deg F for next week Thursday/Friday, and a 20-25%
chance of exceeding 95 deg F. Exact placement, strength, and
timing of the ridge will determine how hot it will get and when
the hottest days will be...stay tuned. // Rowe

&&

.AVIATION...
Overall we will see VFR conditions the next 24 hours. There is a
less than 20% chance of MVFR VIS in southern portions of
Sacramento County and northern portions of San Joaquin County
between 12 to 16z. Breezy north winds 5-15 knots gusting up to 25
knots before 02z, strongest over northern Sacramento County, less
than 10 knots after 02z.

&&

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

&&

Event by event

12 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Shasta Lake/North Shasta County

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of Zone 13 in extreme drought (D3). While the area saw well above average precipitation for the month of April, roughly 110-150%, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 60% of average. Drought impacts include but are not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems.

Drought, Burney Basin/Eastern Shasta County

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept approximately the western half of Zone 14 in extreme drought (D3) with the remainder of the zone in severe drought (D2). While the area saw well above average precipitation for the month of April, roughly 110-170%, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 60-85% of average. Drought impacts include but are not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems.

Drought, Northern Sacramento Valley

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of Zone 15 in extreme drought. While the northeast portion of the zone saw above average precipitation for the month of April, the southwest part of the zone saw well below average. In general, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 50-60% of average. Drought impacts to the region include; little to no allocation of water from irrigation districts to agriculture, reduced rangeland forage without alternative forage, hay prices at record levels, cattle being sold, including calves that are typically sold in late Fall, as well as increasing reports of dry wells. The local economy continues to be significantly impacted.

Drought, Central Sacramento Valley

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor degraded all of Zone 16 to extreme drought (D3). The area saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 50-75% of average. Drought impacts to the region include; little to no allocation of water from irrigation districts to agriculture, reduced rangeland forage without alternative forage, hay prices at record levels, cattle being sold, including calves that are typically sold in late Fall, as well as increasing reports of dry wells. The local economy continues to be significantly impacted.

Drought, Southern Sacramento Valley

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor degraded the majority of Zone 17 to extreme drought (D3). Some of the impacts the region saw included; reduced forage, decreased stock weights, livestock stress, selling of livestock, decrease in water allocation, increased reports of dry wells including domestic wells, hauling of water, and plans to fallow large areas of cropland.

Drought, Carquinez Strait and Delta

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor degraded the eastern portion of Zone 18 to extreme drought (D3) with the remainder of the zone in severe drought (D2). Some of the impacts the region saw included; reduced forage, decreased stock weights, livestock stress, selling of livestock, decrease in water allocation, increased reports of dry wells including domestic wells, hauling of water, and plans to fallow large areas of cropland.

Drought, Northern San Joaquin Valley

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor degraded the majority of Zone 19 to extreme drought (D3) with the far western border of the zone remaining in severe drought (D2). Drought impacts include but are not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems.

Drought, Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor made little change to the zone with the majority of Zone 63 in extreme drought (D3) with the far western border of the zone remaining in severe drought (D2). While the zone saw above average precipitation for the month of April, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 45-60% of average. Drought impacts to the region include; little to no allocation of water from irrigation districts to agriculture, reduced rangeland forage without alternative forage, hay prices at record levels, cattle being sold, including calves that are typically sold in late Fall, as well as increasing reports of dry wells. The local economy continues to be impacted.

Drought, Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor made little change to the zone with the the northern and western portions of Zone 66 in extreme drought (D3) and kept the remainder of the zone in severe drought (D2). While the zone saw above average precipitation for the month of April, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 60-80% of average. Drought impacts to the region include; little to no allocation of water from irrigation districts to agriculture, reduced rangeland forage without alternative forage, hay prices at record levels, cattle being sold, including calves that are typically sold in late Fall, as well as increasing reports of dry wells. The local economy continues to be impacted.

Drought, Motherlode/Camptonville to Groveland

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor degraded the majority of Zone 67 to extreme drought (D3) with the far northeastern portion of the zone remaining in severe drought (D2). While the northeast portion of the zone saw well above average precipitation for the month of April, upwards of 200% for some areas, the southwest part of the zone saw well below average. In general, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 60-90% of average. Drought impacts include but are not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems.

Drought, Mt Shasta/Western Plumas County

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor made little change to Zone 68 with the far northwestern portion of the zone in extreme drought (D3) and the remainder of the zone in severe drought (D2). While the zone saw well above average precipitation for the month of April, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 60-90% of average. Drought impacts include but are not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems.

Drought, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

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

For the month of April, the U.S. Drought Monitor degraded the southwestern portion of the zone to extreme drought (D3) with the remainder of the zone in severe drought (D2). While the zone saw well above average precipitation for the month of April, the zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 70-95% of average. Drought impacts include but are not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems.

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 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in California, April 2022

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: 1023466, 1023467, 1023468, 1023471, 1023475, 1023477, 1023478, 1023490, 1023494, 1023497, 1023501, 1023504.