Drought in California, July 1 to 31, 2022

Name: Drought in California, July 1 to 31, 2022
Start: 2022-07-01T00:00
End: 2022-07-31T23:59
Location: California

July 1 to 31, 2022 · NWS HNX · 40 events in 40 counties and zones

Central California remained abnormally dry in July 2022. Scattered showers and thunderstorms did impact the area between the 26th and the 31st.

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.

Central California remained abnormally dry in July 2022. Scattered showers and thunderstorms did impact the area between the 26th and the 31st. Otherwise dry weather prevailed across the area. By the end of the month, nearly all of our area remained in an extreme or exceptional drought as most of our area has received less than a third of normal precipitation since July 1, 2020.

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 Jun 30, 4:00 PM PST, 8 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 30, 4:00 PM PST, 8 hours before

Area Forecast Discussion UPDATE
National Weather Service Hanford CA
500 PM PDT Thu Jun 30 2022

...Update to Air Quality Issues Section...

.SYNOPSIS...A steady cooling trend will continue through the
holiday weekend, with temperatures falling to several degrees
below normal on Sunday and Monday. Afternoon and evening breezes
will develop each day, with higher gusts in the mountain passes
and desert in eastern Kern County. After the mild holiday period,
temperatures will recover to around normal by the middle of next
week. Dry weather will prevail for at least the next seven days.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
A broad troughy pattern over the west coast has displaced the
upper ridge and is bringing cooler onshore flow across the region,
as the marine layer has deepened to around 2000 ft. Temperatures
across our area are mostly running around 3-6 degrees below this
time yesterday.

The west coast trough will deepen over the next few days as a low
pressure system develops near the Pac NW coast. This will continue
our cooling trend through the holiday weekend. By Sunday and
Monday, afternoon highs will be several degrees below normal
values for the beginning of July. Blended model guidance
probabilities for high temperatures of 90 degrees or below in the
San Joaquin Valley range from around 55 to 85 percent on Sunday
and 60 to 80 percent on Monday. During this period, there will be
periods of increased gusty winds. The highest gusts will be
experienced along the Mojave Desert Slopes each afternoon and
evening, however probabilities of these gusts exceeding 38 knots
remain generally below 20 percent.

After the mild holiday period, high pressure will begin to build
westward across the region and our temperatures will trend back
upward. Although temperatures will be warming, we will make it
through at least the middle of next week without a return to
triple digit highs in the San Joaquin Valley. Expect highs right
around normal on Thursday, with less than 10 percent probabilities
of San Joaquin Valley high temperatures reaching 100 degrees.

&&

.AVIATION...VFR conditions will prevail across the central CA
interior for at least the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
None.

&&

.CERTAINTY...

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

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...JEB
aviation....JEB

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: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Los Banos-Dos Palos

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Merced-Madera-Mendota

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, West Side of Fresno and Kings Counties

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Fresno - Clovis

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, West Side Mountains South of Highway 198

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Buttonwillow- Lost Hills - I5

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Delano - Wasco - Shafter

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Visalia - Porterville - Reedley

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Buena Vista

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Bakersfield

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Southeast San Joaquin Valley

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End San Joaquin Valley

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mariposa - Madera Foothills

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Fresno - Tulare Foothills

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Fresno - Tulare Lower Sierra

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End Sierra Foothills

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End of the Lower Sierra

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Yosemite Valley

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, San Joaquin River Canyon

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Upper San Joaquin River

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Kings Canyon Np

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Grant Grove Area

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Sequoia Np

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Kern River Valley

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Piute - Walker Pass (Basin?)

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Tehachapi

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Grapevine

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Frazier Mountain Communities

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an exceptional drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Indian Wells Valley

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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)

The Indian Wells Valley was classified as being in an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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 an extreme drought due to a long term precipitation deficit.

Drought, Mojave Desert

When: July 1, 12:00 AM PST to July 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)

The Mojave Desert was classified as being in an extreme 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 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in California, July 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: 1035164, 1035165, 1035166, 1035167, 1035168, 1035169, 1035170, 1035171, 1035172, 1035173, 1035174, 1035175, 1035176, 1035177, 1035178, 1035179, 1035180, 1035181, 1035182, 1035183, 1035184, 1035185, 1035186, 1035187, 1035188, 1035189, 1035190, 1035191, 1035192, 1035193, 1035194, 1035195, 1035196, 1035197, 1035198, 1035199, 1035200, 1035201, 1035202, 1035203.