Drought Conditions for Sonoma County
people in Sonoma County are affected by drought
of people in Sonoma County are affected by drought
wettest December on record, over the past 128 years
driest year to date over the past 128 years (January-December 2022)
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.
This map shows the departure from normal maximum temperature (°F) over the past 30 days, compared to usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991–2020.
This map uses the gridMET and PRISM temperature datasets. Temperature data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days to allow for data collection and quality control. Learn more.
This map shows the past 30 days of precipitation as a percentage of "normal" conditions—that is, compared to the usual conditions for the same time period averaged from 1991–2020.
This map uses the gridMET and NLDAS precipitation datasets, and precipitation data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days. Learn more.
- Soil is dry; irrigation delivery begins early
- Dryland crop germination is stunted
- Active fire season begins
- Dryland pasture growth is stunted; producers give supplemental feed to cattle
- Landscaping and gardens need irrigation earlier; wildlife patterns begin to change
- Stock ponds and creeks are lower than usual
- Grazing land is inadequate
- Fire season is longer, with high burn intensity, dry fuels, and large fire spatial extent
- Trees are stressed; plants increase reproductive mechanisms; wildlife diseases increase
- Livestock need expensive supplemental feed; cattle and horses are sold; little pasture remains; fruit trees bud early; producers begin irrigating in the winter
- Fire season lasts year-round; fires occur in typically wet parts of state; burn bans are implemented
- Water is inadequate for agriculture, wildlife, and urban needs; reservoirs are extremely low; hydropower is restricted
- Fields are left fallow; orchards are removed; vegetable yields are low; honey harvest is small
- Fire season is very costly; number of fires and area burned are extensive
- Fish rescue and relocation begins; pine beetle infestation occurs; forest mortality is high; wetlands dry up; survival of native plants and animals is low; fewer wildflowers bloom; wildlife death is widespread; algae blooms appear
| Range | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| - -8 | #0404ff |
| -8 - -6 | #2166ac |
| -6 - -4 | #4393c3 |
| -4 - -3 | #92c5de |
| -3 - -1 | #d1e5f0 |
| -1 - 0 | #ffffff |
| Range | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| 0 - 1 | #ffffff |
| 1 - 3 | #fddbc7 |
| 3 - 4 | #f4a582 |
| 4 - 6 | #d6604d |
| 6 - 8 | #b2182b |
| 8 - | #800000 |
| Range | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| 0% - 25% | #8c510a |
| 25% - 50% | #bf812d |
| 50% - 75% | #dfc27d |
| 75% - 100% | #f6e8c3 |
| Range | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| 100% - 150% | #c7eae5 |
| 150% - 200% | #80cdc1 |
| 200% - 300% | #35978f |
| 300% - | #01665e |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D4 | #730000 |
| D3 | #E60000 |
| D2 | #FFAA00 |
| D1 | #FCD37F |
| D0 | #FFFF00 |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| W0 | #AAFF55 |
| W1 | #01FFFF |
| W2 | #00AAFF |
| W3 | #0000FF |
| W4 | #0000AA |
The Multi-Indicator Drought Index (MIDI) looks at current drought conditions across the U.S. by integrating several key drought indices on precipitation and moisture into one objective, computer-generated map.
The Short-Term MIDI is released every 5 days and approximates drought impacts from changes in precipitation and moisture over a short-term timeframe (looking back up to 90 days), such as impacts to non-irrigated agriculture, topsoil moisture, and range and pasture conditions. Long-term droughts (lasting months to years) can have different impacts.
This experimental map is based on methodology from the NOAA National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. Learn how this map is made.
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D4 | #730000 |
| D3 | #E60000 |
| D2 | #FFAA00 |
| D1 | #FCD37F |
| D0 | #FFFF00 |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| W0 | #AAFF55 |
| W1 | #01FFFF |
| W2 | #00AAFF |
| W3 | #0000FF |
| W4 | #0000AA |
The Multi-Indicator Drought Index (MIDI) looks at current drought conditions across the U.S. by integrating several key drought indices on precipitation and moisture into one objective, computer-generated map.
The Long-Term MIDI is released every 5 days and approximates drought impacts from changes in precipitation and moisture over a long-term timeframe (up to 5 years), such as impacts to irrigated agriculture, groundwater, and reservoir levels. Long-term drought conditions can also increase wildfire intensity and severity.
This experimental map is based on methodology from the NOAA National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. Learn how this map is made.
The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts hundreds of surveys every year and prepares reports covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture, including agricultural commodities statistics for crops and livestock. This map displays crops and livestock by county alongside the current U.S. Drought Monitor. The size of each dot represents the total acres (crops) or total inventory (livestock) per county. Learn more.
Crop Production (Acres)
Crop Production (Acres)
Crop Production (Acres)
Livestock Count
Livestock Count
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D0 - Abnormally Dry | #ffff00 |
| D1 - Moderate Drought | #ffcc99 |
| D2 - Severe Drought | #ff6600 |
| D3 - Extreme Drought | #ff0000 |
| D4 - Exceptional Drought | #660000 |
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) produces maps of real-time streamflow conditions compared to historical conditions. The map depicts streamflow conditions as computed at USGS streamgages. The colors represent real-time streamflow compared to percentiles of historical daily streamflow for the day of the year. Click on a streamgage to view more data for that location. Learn more.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center (CPC) produces precipitation outlooks for the U.S., including 6–10 day, 8–14 day, monthly, and seasonal outlooks. This 1-month outlook depicts whether there is a greater chance for above-normal, below-normal, or near-normal precipitation conditions in this region. Learn more.
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| Low | #ff0000 |
| Much Below Normal | #b12121 |
| Below Normal | #ffa400 |
| Normal | #00ff00 |
| Above Normal | #40dfd0 |
| Much Above Normal | #0000ff |
| High | #000000 |
| Not Ranked | #FFFFFF |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D0 | #ffff00 |
| D1 | #ffcc99 |
| D2 | #ff6600 |
| D3 | #ff0000 |
| D4 | #660000 |
| Range | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| 33% - 40% | #f0d493 |
| 40% - 50% | #d8a750 |
| 50% - 60% | #bb6d33 |
| 60% - 70% | #9b5031 |
| 70% - 80% | #934639 |
| 80% - 90% | #804000 |
| 90% - 100% | #4f2f2f |
| Range | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| 33% - 40% | #b3d9ab |
| 40% - 50% | #94cd7e |
| 50% - 60% | #48ae38 |
| 60% - 70% | #3a7b5f |
| 70% - 80% | #008e40 |
| 80% - 90% | #28553d |
| 90% - 100% | #285517 |
This map shows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Social Vulnerability Index alongside current U.S. Drought Monitor drought designations. CDC's Social Vulnerability Index uses 15 U.S. census variables at tract level (including poverty, lack of vehicle access, and crowded housing) to help local officials identify communities that may need support in preparing for or recovering from hazards, like drought. Learn more.
This map shows active National Weather Service (NWS) Excessive Heat Watches, Heat Advisories, and Excessive Heat Warnings alongside the current U.S. Drought Monitor.
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| 0.7501 - 1 | Highest Vulnerability | #265C9E |
| 0.5001 - 0.75 | #42ABB6 |
| 0.2501 - 0.5 | #96C9A7 |
| 0 - 0.25 | Lowest Vulnerability | #EBEBBE |
| Data Unavailable | #909090 |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D0 | #ffff00 |
| D1 | #ffcc99 |
| D2 | #ff6600 |
| D3 | #ff0000 |
| D4 | #660000 |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| Excessive Heat Warning | #6e3a9a |
| Heat Advisory | #b64e6d |
| Excessive Heat Watch | #36185e |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D0 | #ffff00 |
| D1 | #ffcc99 |
| D2 | #ff6600 |
| D3 | #ff0000 |
| D4 | #660000 |
Evaporative Demand (EDDI) Forecast
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D4 | #730000 |
| D3 | #E60000 |
| D2 | #FFAA00 |
| D1 | #FCD37F |
| D0 | #FFFF00 |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| Near Normal | #ffffff |
| W0 | #AAFF55 |
| W1 | #01FFFF |
| W2 | #00AAFF |
| W3 | #0000FF |
| W4 | #0000AA |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D4 | #730000 |
| D3 | #E60000 |
| D2 | #FFAA00 |
| D1 | #FCD37F |
| D0 | #FFFF00 |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| Near Normal | #ffffff |
| W0 | #AAFF55 |
| W1 | #01FFFF |
| W2 | #00AAFF |
| W3 | #0000FF |
| W4 | #0000AA |
The Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI) is an experimental drought monitoring and early warning guidance tool. It examines how anomalous the atmospheric evaporative demand (E0; also known as "the thirst of the atmosphere") is for a given location and across a time period of interest. This experimental subseasonal EDDI forecast shows projected evaporative demand for the next 2 weeks and 4 weeks from the CFS-gridMET dataset at 4-km gridded resolution. Learn more.
U.S. Drought Outlooks
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| Drought persists | #9B634A |
| Drought remains but improves | #DED2BC |
| Drought removal likely | #B2AD69 |
| Drought development likely | #FFDE63 |
| No drought present | #FFFFFF |
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center's Monthly Drought Outlook is issued at the end of each calendar month and is valid for the upcoming month.
The Outlook predicts whether drought will persist, develop, improve, or be removed over the next month. Learn more.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center's Seasonal Drought Outlook is issued on the third Thursday of each month.
The Outlook predicts whether drought will persist, develop, improve, or be removed over the next three months or so. Learn more.
Historical Conditions for Sonoma County
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.
The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is an index to characterize meteorological drought on a range of timescales, ranging from 1 to 72 months. The SPI is the number of standard deviations that observed cumulative precipitation deviates from the climatological average. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information produce the 9-month SPI values below on a monthly basis, going back to 1895. Learn more.
Tree-rings are used to extend the instrumental record of drought to over 2000 years. The Living Blended Drought Product (LBDP) is a recalibrated data series of June-July-August Palmer Modified Drought Index (PMDI) values in the lower 48 U.S. states. This dataset blends tree-ring reconstructions and instrumental data to estimate the average summer PMDI values, which extend over 2000 years in some parts of the U.S. Learn more.