Northern California typically experiences a wet season, October through May, and a dry season May through September. Last year's water year, October 2019 through September 2020, was one of the driest on records. This likely contributed to the U.S. Drought Monitor's decision to place portions of interior northern California into extreme drought on September 29, 2020. Portions of Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yolo, Solano, Yuba, Nevada, and Sacramento counties remain placed extreme drought. The rest of interior northern California was placed into severe drought (D2) on December 8; however, the state of California has not announced that these locations are in drought.

Drought in SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-DEC-20 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of December, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of Yolo County, and portions of Sacramento, Sutter, Solano counties in extreme drought (D3). They also noted on this month's call the following impacts for the Sacramento Valley: low groundwater levels, dry stock pond, and poor range-land and pasture conditions. Some ranchers have even stated they've started selling livestock. Additionally, The California Department of Water Resources announced the initial water allocation of 10% for the State Water Project (December 1st).

Drought in MOUNTAINS SOUTHWESTERN SHASTA COUNTY TO WESTERN COLUSA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-DEC-20 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of December, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of zone 63, which covers western Tehama, Glenn, and Colusa counties in extreme drought (D3).  They also noted on this month's call the following impacts for the Sacramento Valley: low groundwater levels, dry stock pond, and poor range-land and pasture conditions. Some ranchers have even stated they've started selling livestock. Additionally, The California Department of Water Resources announced the initial water allocation of 10% for the State Water Project (December 1st).

Drought in CENTRAL SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-DEC-20 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of December, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept most of Glenn and Colusa, and Sutter counties along with the western portions of Butte and Yuba counties in extreme drought (D3). They also noted on this month's call the following impacts for the Sacramento Valley: low groundwater levels, dry stock pond, and poor range-land and pasture conditions. Some ranchers have even stated they've started selling livestock. Additionally, The California Department of Water Resources announced the initial water allocation of 10% for the State Water Project (December 1st).

Drought in NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-DEC-20 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of December, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of zone 15, portions of Shasta and Tehama counties, into extreme drought (D3).They also noted on this month's call the following impacts for the Sacramento Valley: low groundwater levels, dry stock pond, and poor range-land and pasture conditions. Some ranchers have even stated they've started selling livestock. Additionally, The California Department of Water Resources announced the initial water allocation of 10% for the State Water Project (December 1st).

Drought in SHASTA LAKE/NORTH SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-DEC-20 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

For the month of December, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept the majority of zone 13, which covers Shasta County, in extreme drought (D3). The California Department of Water Resources announced the initial water allocation of 10% for the State Water Project (December 1st).