Water & Climate Update

Water and Climate Update April 01, 2021

The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.

Snow ...... 2 Drought ...... 10 Precipitation ...... 4 Other Climatic and Water Supply Indicators ...... 13 Temperature...... 8 More Information ...... 19

Western snowpack nears annual peak

For most of the western U.S., this is the time of year when the mountain snowpack nears its peak accumulation. Peak snow conditions typically provide the best predictor of spring and summer runoff. This year, from California to Colorado, many regions are reporting a less-than-normal snowpack, and drought conditions persist over the area from last year. The lowest snowpack percentage is in Arizona and New Mexico, where conditions are much below normal. In contrast, the Cascade Mountains of northern Oregon and Washington, and some areas of the Eastern Rockies, register above-normal snow conditions. Most of central and southern Alaska is also reporting an above-normal snowpack.

Winter’s snowpack runoff does not look promising – Fox31 Denver (CO) Despite blizzard, Colorado mountain snowpack remains below normal – The Gazette (CO) After Another Dry Winter, Here's What Californians Can Expect in the Months Ahead – NBC – Los Angeles (CA) Healthy snowpack at Snoqualmie Pass draws in delighted skiers, snowboarders – KOMO-TV Seattle (WA) Gov. Brown declares drought in part of southern Oregon – AP

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. Water and Climate Update

Snow

Snow water equivalent percent of median map

See also: Snow water equivalent values (inches) map

Alaska snow water equivalent percent of median map

See also: Alaska snow water equivalent values (inches) map

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Current Snow Depth, National Weather Service Snow Analysis Source: NOAA Office of Water Prediction

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Precipitation

Last 7 Days, NRCS SNOTEL Network 7-day precipitation percent of average map

See also: 7-day total precipitation values (inches) map

Alaska 7-day precipitation percent of average map

See also: Alaska 7-day total precipitation values (inches) map

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Last 7 Days, National Weather Service (NWS) Networks Source: Regional Climate Centers

7-day precipitation percent of normal map for the continental U.S.

See also: 7-day total precipitation values (inches) map

Last 7 Days, National Weather Service (NWS) Networks Source: Regional Climate Centers

7-day precipitation anomaly map for Alaska.

See also: 7-day total precipitation values (inches) map

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Month-to-Date, All Available Data Including SNOTEL and NWS Networks Source: PRISM

Month-to-date national total precipitation percent of average map

Last 3 Months, All Available Data Including SNOTEL and NWS Networks Source: PRISM

December through February precipitation percent of average map

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Water Year-to-Date, NRCS SNOTEL Network 2021 water year-to-date precipitation percent of average map

See also: 2021 water year-to- date precipitation values (inches) map

Alaska 2021 water year- to-date precipitation percent of average map

See also: Alaska 2021 water year-to- date precipitation values (inches) map

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Temperature

Last 7 Days, National Weather Service (NWS) Networks Source: Regional Climate Centers

7-day temperature anomaly map for the contiguous U.S.

See also: 7-day temperature (° F) map

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Month-to-Date, All Available Data Including SNOTEL and NWS Networks Source: PRISM Month-to-date national daily mean temperature anomaly map

Last 3 Months, All Available Data Including SNOTEL and NWS Networks Source: PRISM

December 2020 through February 2021 daily mean temperature anomaly map

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Drought

U.S. Drought Monitor U.S. Drought Portal Source: National Drought Mitigation Center Source: NOAA

Current National Drought Summary, April 01, 2021 Source: National Drought Mitigation Center

“Multiple low-pressure systems resulted in widespread precipitation (0.5 to 3 inches, or more) from the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast during late March. Heavy to excessive rainfall (more than 5 inches) soaked southeast Louisiana and triggered flooding across Tennessee this past week. Along with the flooding, a severe weather outbreak affected Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky on March 25. Mostly dry weather persisted farther to the south, including the Florida Peninsula and south Texas. A cold front brought strong winds to the northern Plains on March 29 but little or no precipitation. Rain and high- elevation snow was limited to coastal Washington and the northern Cascades across the Pacific Northwest, while mostly dry weather prevailed throughout California. 7-day temperatures from March 23-29 averaged below (above) normal across the western (eastern) U.S.”

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Changes in Drought Monitor Categories over Time Source: National Drought Mitigation Center

1 Week 1 Month

6 Months 1 Year

Changes in drought conditions over the last 12 months for the contiguous U.S.

Highlighted Drought Resources

• Drought Impact Reporter • Quarterly Regional Climate Impacts and Outlook • U.S. Drought Portal Indicators and Monitoring • U.S. Population in Drought, Weekly Comparison • USDA Disaster and Drought Information

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Secretarial Drought Designations Source: USDA Farm Service Agency

Wildfires: USDA Forest Service Active Fire Mapping Highlighted Wildfire Resources

• National Interagency Fire Center • InciWeb Incident Information System • Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook

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Other Climatic and Water Supply Indicators

Soil Moisture Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction

Modeled soil moisture percentiles as of March 27, 2021

Soil Moisture Percent of Saturation Source: NRCS SNOTEL and Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN)

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Soil Moisture Source: NRCS Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN)

This chart shows the precipitation and soil moisture for the last 30 days at the McCracken Mesa SCAN site in Utah. Precipitation totaling 0.39 inches fell from March 23-26, and increased the soil moisture at the -2, -4, and -8-inch sensor depths. The -20 and -40-inch depth sensors showed little change from the precipitation. Accumulated precipitation for the 30-day period was 0.56 inches.

Soil Moisture Data Portals

• USCRN Soil Moisture • National Soil Moisture Network • NOAA Climate Prediction Center Soil Moisture • NASA Grace

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Streamflow, Drought, Flood, and Runoff Source: U.S. Geological Survey

WaterWatch: Streamflow, drought, flood, and runoff conditions

Reservoir Storage

Hydromet Teacup Reservoir Depictions Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

• Upper Colorado • Pacific Northwest/Snake/Columbia • Sevier River Water, Utah • Upper Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas

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Current California Reservoir Conditions Source: California Department of Water Resources

Current California Reservoir Conditions

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Agricultural Weather Highlights Author: Brad Rippey, Agricultural Meteorologist, USDA/OCE/WAOB

National Outlook, Thursday, April 01, 2021: “A low-pressure system along the northern Atlantic Coast will drift northward, with slowly diminishing impacts. For example, Northeastern rain and snow showers will end tonight. However, cold air in the storm’s wake will result in Southeastern frost and freezes on April 2-3, possibly as far south as Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Those freezes, following a warm March, could threaten blooming fruits, nursery stock, and emerging summer crops. In contrast, warmth will expand across the western and central U.S., with weekend temperatures reaching 100°F in parts of the Desert Southwest and approaching 90°F on the Plains as far north as South Dakota. Early next week, cool weather will begin to overspread the West and linger in the Northeast, while warmth will cover the remainder of the country. During the next 5 days, showers will be spotty and generally light, although some precipitation may spread inland late in the weekend and early next week from northern California and the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies. The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for April 6 – 10 calls for the likelihood of above-normal temperatures throughout the central and eastern U.S., while cooler-than-normal conditions will be confined to the Pacific Coast States. Meanwhile, below-normal precipitation in New England and from the Four Corners region to the southern Atlantic Coast should contrast with wetter-than-normal weather across much of the northern half of the U.S., including the Midwest.”

Weather Hazards Outlook: April 03 – 07, 2021 Source: NOAA Weather Prediction Center

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Seasonal Drought Outlook: March 18 – June 30, 2021 Source: National Weather Service

Climate Prediction Center 3-Month Outlook Source: National Weather Service

Precipitation Temperature

April-May-June (AMJ) 2021 precipitation and temperature outlook summaries

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More Information

The NRCS National Water and Climate Center publishes this weekly report. We welcome your feedback. If you have questions or comments, please contact us.

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