California Region Watershed Drought Information
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows the drought conditions of the California Region watershed, 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 temperature 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, and temperature data are updated daily, with a delay of 3 to 4 days. Learn more.
This map shows the percent of normal precipitation for the past 30 days, 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.
- Short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops.
- Some lingering water deficits
- Pastures or crops not fully recovered
- Some damage to crops, pastures
- Some water shortages developing
- Voluntary water-use restrictions requested
- Crop or pasture loss likely
- Water shortages common
- Water restrictions imposed
- Major crop/pasture losses
- Widespread water shortages or restrictions
- Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses
- Shortages of water creating water emergencies
| 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 |
Short-Term Drought Indicator Blend
These experimental drought blends integrate several key drought monitoring products and indices into a single short-term or long-term product, based on the methodology developed at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. The blends are created using the Climate Engine tool, and apply the CPC weighting ratios to the high-resolution gridMET gridded research dataset.
The short-term blend combines PDSI, Z-Index, 1-month SPI, and 3-month SPI to estimate the overall short-term drought. Please refer to the product documentation for more information. This product is an example of current NIDIS-funded research.
These data are updated every 5 days, with a delay of 4 to 5 days to allow for data collection and quality control.
| D4 | D3 | D2 | D1 | D0 | W0 | W1 | W2 | W3 | W4 | |
| 0-2 | 2-5 | 5-10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-70 | 70-80 | 80-90 | 90-95 | 95-98 | 98-100 |
| D4 | D3 | D2 | D1 | D0 | |
| 0-2 | 2-5 | 5-10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-70 |
| W0 | W1 | W2 | W3 | W4 |
| 70-80 | 80-90 | 90-95 | 95-98 | 98-100 |
Long-Term Drought Indicator Blend
These experimental drought blends integrate several key drought monitoring products and indices into a single short-term or long-term product, based on the methodology developed at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. The blends are created using the Climate Engine tool, and apply the CPC weighting ratios to the high-resolution gridMET gridded research dataset.
The long-term blend combines PDSI, Z-Index, and 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year SPI to estimate the overall long-term drought. Please refer to the product documentation for more information. This product is an example of current NIDIS-funded research.
These data are updated every 5 days, with a delay of 4 to 5 days to allow for data collection and quality control.
| D4 | D3 | D2 | D1 | D0 | W0 | W1 | W2 | W3 | W4 | |
| 0-2 | 2-5 | 5-10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-70 | 70-80 | 80-90 | 90-95 | 95-98 | 98-100 |
| D4 | D3 | D2 | D1 | D0 | |
| 0-2 | 2-5 | 5-10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-70 |
| W0 | W1 | W2 | W3 | W4 |
| 70-80 | 80-90 | 90-95 | 95-98 | 98-100 |
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. 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. Learn more.
The National Weather Service's 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 or below-normal precipitation conditions over the next month. 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 |
Historical Conditions for the California Region
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.
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