Drought — S Sierra Foothills, California

2016-04-01 to 2016-04-30 · S Sierra Foothills, California

Event narrative

Persistent drought conditions continued to be reported.

Wider weather episode

The California drought continues during the month of April, 2016. Fresno received 1.06 inches of rainfall while Bakersfield only received 0.97 inch of precipitation during the month. Increased precipitation earlier in the year and slightly below normal temperatures we received this month did allow for lower evaporation rates and soil moisture to maintain higher levels. Some snow melt did occur contributing to improved water storage levels.

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued to report exceptional drought conditions across the entire Central California region. This extent of exceptional drought is extremely unusual for California. The general trend of below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures has continued this year.

There continues to be significant media coverage on the on-going drought conditions. These reports include discussion of significant re-allocation of water resources from the east to west side of the San Joaquin Valley, farmers forgoing planting of some crops, loss or reduction of ground water, wells drying up in several communities leaving them with no water, and an unprecedented increase in fire danger across the Southern Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains. Also, communities in Central California interior face state mandated reductions in municipal water use.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 631099. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.