Drought — Carquinez Strait and Delta, California

2022-01-01 to 2022-01-31 · Carquinez Strait and Delta, California

Event narrative

For the month of January, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved all of Zone 18 to severe drought (D2). The zone continued to see signs of improvement to much of the impacts affecting the region.

Wider weather episode

Several large storms this water season in 2021, brought widespread rainfall and snow to the region easing the drought conditions for much of California. However, given the large precipitation deficits and relatively dry conditions for much of January, the region is faced with the ongoing drought. Interior northern California is still experiencing widespread drought as of the end of January. Many restrictions continue throughout the region as well as the state-wide drought declaration by governor Gavin Newsom. Mandatory water restrictions on outdoor water use take effect for all Californians at the end of January with possible fines of $500 to violators. Rules include not watering lawns for 48 hours after a rainstorm and not letting sprinklers run onto the sidewalk. Also announced in late January, the Department of Water Resources plans to give water districts 15% of requested water for 2022. Previously a 0% allocation was anticipated for 2022 from state storage to local agencies that provide water for 27 million people and large areas of farmland.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1003737. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.