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The Brazos River Authority enacted a "Stage 1 Drought Watch" condition on March 21. Harker Heights residents are to reduce their water use by 5%. Harker Heights municipal water comes from Lake Belton. Killeen Daily Herald (Texas), March 21, 2022

Conditions remain very dry in central South Dakota as little snow fell this winter after an extremely dry 2021. Crop land, pastures and water supply are affected by the dryness. Last spring, dugouts for cattle had water, but this spring, there is little to no water and access is an issue. Producers will need to haul water. Some pastures are so dry that cattle cannot graze. Some producers are adjusting livestock stocking rates, considering alternate water for their cattle, and rethinking their crop rotation. Fire danger is a huge concern amid drought. KELOLAND-TV CBS 11 (Sioux Falls, S.D.), March 23, 2022

This spring Monongahela National Forest officials plan to conduct a prescribed burn on 1,119 acres of National Forest System land in the Peach Orchard area, northwest of Blue Bend Recreation Area in Greenbrier County.Why do we burn?Reintroducing fire into the forest will:Restore historic fire regimesImprove wildlife habitatEnhance forest structure and age diversityImprove oak regenerationControl tree diseases and insectsReduce hazardous fuel levelsHow do we manage a prescribed burn?Fire managers prepare a burn plan for each prescribed burn describing the appropriate conditions needed to conduct the burn safely and achieve the desired results. Burn plans consider public safety, protection of private property, staffing and equipment needs, temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and smoke dispersal. Appropriate conditions must be met before igniting prescribed burns. A control line is established around each burn area before ignition, using hand tools and other...

This spring Monongahela National Forest officials plan to conduct a prescribed burn on 405 acres of National Forest System land in the Lick Mountain area, west of Neola in Greenbrier County.Why do we burn?Reintroducing fire into the forest will:Restore historic fire regimesImprove wildlife habitatEnhance forest structure and age diversityImprove oak regenerationControl tree diseases and insectsReduce hazardous fuel levelsHow do we manage a prescribed burn?Fire managers prepare a burn plan for each prescribed burn describing the appropriate conditions needed to conduct the burn safely and achieve the desired results. Burn plans consider public safety, protection of private property, staffing and equipment needs, temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and smoke dispersal. Appropriate conditions must be met before igniting prescribed burns. A control line is established around each burn area before ignition, using hand tools and other equipment, roads, trails, and...

SPC 1300Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0745 AM CDT Wed Mar 23 2022 Valid 231300Z - 241200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS UPPER OH VALLEY VICINITY AND PARTS OF THE SOUTHEAST... ...SUMMARY... A few tornadoes and scattered large hail are possible across the Upper Ohio Valley vicinity this afternoon. Otherwise, a couple tornadoes and isolated damaging winds or hail will remain possible across parts of the Midwest and Southeast regions into this evening. ...OH Valley and Midwest... A substantial shortwave impulse over the Ark-La-Miss will move northeast towards the Lower Great Lakes through this evening. An attendant intense mid-level speed max (at or above 110-kt at 500-mb) will become centered from central KY to the northern MS/AL border area by 21Z. While the primary surface cyclone will drift east-northeast across parts of northern IL, a secondary low should develop within the exit region of the mid-level jet across west-central to northwest OH along the arcing baroclinic zone. Cloud breaks to the west of stratiform rain across the central Appalachians should yield a pocket of modest buoyancy (MLCAPE of 500-750 J/kg), as a corridor of mid to upper 50s surface dew points become established within the thermal axis near the OH/WV/KY border area. Most CAMs suggest that scattered thunderstorms will develop towards early afternoon across the Cumberland Plateau and spread northeast across the Upper OH Valley. Very strong effective shear in excess of 70 knots should yield a highly elongated hodograph, and foster at least a few discrete splitting supercells. Optimal low-level hodographs may only be present in the early portion of the convective life cycle within in the narrow warm/moist sector, lowering confidence of a greater severe threat. Nevertheless, the presence of the surface warm front suggests a few tornadoes and scattered large hail appear possible. A more limited severe threat is anticipated farther west into IN where less boundary-layer heating and weaker low-level hodographs will be present. However, cooler mid-level temperatures yielding steeper lapse rates should support a primary threat of hail. The overall severe threat region-wide will subside after sunset. ...Southeast... Severe potential across the region appears much more nebulous and sporadic through this evening. Low-level hodographs will remain enlarged within broad 40-50 kt 850-mb southerlies, but the low-level jet axis will shift northeast through the day. The best potential for moderate buoyancy should exist across parts of the South Atlantic Coast ahead of a generally weakening swath of convection over the FL Panhandle into parts of GA. It is plausible that remnants of this activity may intensify with diurnal heating and pose some threat for a couple tornadoes and locally damaging winds. Otherwise, isolated to scattered thunderstorms may develop this afternoon within the warm conveyor region from the GA/SC border area north into southern VA, in the wake of a leading swath of showers. Boundary-layer heating is expected to be limited and mid-level lapse rates weak, suggesting that MLCAPE should only reach around 500 J/kg. This may be enough to support a conditional supercell threat given the favorable low-level SRH. While it is plausible that little to no severe may be realized, will maintain a cat 2/SLGT for an isolated tornado threat. Marginal potential for tornado/wind will probably persist into tonight across eastern portions of the Carolinas and VA. ..Grams/Gleason.. 03/23/2022 Read more

No watches are valid as of Wed Mar 23 12:49:02 UTC 2022.

No Mesoscale Discussions are in effect as of Wed Mar 23 12:49:02 UTC 2022.

Day 4-8 Outlook
Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0328 AM CDT Wed Mar 23 2022 Valid 261200Z - 311200Z ...DISCUSSION... Consistency between global models, regarding their depiction of the synoptic-scale pattern over the U.S., deteriorates rapidly/substantially with time, during the medium-range period. The divergence in solutions manifests initially during Day 5/Sunday -- initially over the West Coast with progression of an eastern Pacific low/trough. The divergence then increases/expands with time, to the point where by the end of day 7, the GFS depicts a mature surface cyclone entering western Ohio and a trailing cold front across the Mid South/central Gulf Coast region, while the ECMWF places the low -- though similarly mature -- over western Oklahoma. Given this unusually large spread in solutions, which is particularly highlighted in the increase evident in standard-deviation fields within GEFS output through time, during the medium-range period, no severe weather assessment is being offered beyond Day 5/Sunday at this time. In the Day 4-5 time frame, the upper pattern will likely remain characterized by maintenance of broad cyclonic flow over the eastern U.S., and upstream ridging over western and central portions of the country in advance of the aforementioned eastern Pacific trough. With surface high pressure prevailing as far south as the Gulf of Mexico, in the wake of prior cold frontal intrusion(s), severe convective potential east of the Rockies will likely remain muted to non-existent. Read more

Ongoing drought conditions led the Twin Falls Canal Company to delay the water delivery date. Water will be available on April 25, about a week and a half later than the usual date of April 15. The date was postponed to make sure that there was enough water in the reservoir system to begin the irrigation season. Farmers were asked to adjust their planting schedule. Water shares will be 5/8 rather than the usual ¾. The Upper Snake reservoir system was only at 50% capacity. KEZJ-FM (Twin Falls, Idaho), March 22, 2022

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners declared a drought emergency on March 23 due to low water levels, making this the third consecutive year for such an emergency declaration. A declaration lets the Oregon Water Resources Department take steps such as allowing the supplemental use of ground water and prioritizing water for human and livestock use. Jackson County reservoirs are at extremely low levels and have the capacity to hold enough water for multiple years, but some are nearly dry. As of last week, stream flows were just 29% of average, according to Oregon Water Resources Department. Medford Mail Tribune (Ore.), March 23, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration is spending an additional $22.5 million in response to the immediate drought emergency after the driest January and February in more than 100 years of records in the Sierra Nevada. The $22.5 million allocation includes more funding for the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. More than a third of the money, $8.25 million, will be used to increase outreach efforts to educate Californians on water conservation measures and practices. Governor (Sacramento, Calif.), March 13, 2022

The Crews Gap fire started along the Runnels and Coleman County line. High winds and low humidity levels produced extreme fire behavior causing the wildfire to move quickly across the landscape. The local community of Glen Cove was threatened and evacuated, but there is no longer a threat to the community. Aviation resources were heavily utilized throughout the response efforts. Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local responders.  On March 17, 2022, the fire escaped containment lines on the east side due to high winds that caused fire activity to pick up during the afternoon. Forward progression was quickly stopped and fire crews along with aviation were able to get containment line around the active portion of the fire.

The State Water Resources Control Board sent letters to about 20,000 water rights holders, including farms and cities, to warn them to prepare for mandatory cutbacks in a matter of weeks. The notices went to rights holders in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Russian, Scott, Shasta, Mill Creek and Deer Creek watersheds. In 2021, requests for curtailment came in August. This year, however, the request is coming in the spring, a dire warning that the drought is intense. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.), March 22, 2022

Fire officials on the Sacramento Ranger District in Cloudcroft, NM, plan to implement prescribed fire operations on the 16 Springs Prescribed Fire project beginning in March and carrying into April of 2022. The 16 Springs Prescribed Fire is targeting 564 acres and is located on federal land five miles north of Mayhill, NM.  The project lies within the Dry Burnt Canyon. Exact ignition dates will be dependent upon weather and fuel moisture conditions. Fire managers will monitor conditions closely to ensure that they fall within acceptable ranges before beginning the burn. Optimal conditions result in good ventilation and smoke dispersal, as well as help achieve the desired effects needed to accomplish forest restoration and improve the health of the forest. The purpose of this project is woodland restoration and enhancement of ponderosa pine stands by reducing ground and ladder fuels, which in turn will reduce the severity of wildland fire in the future.  This could help aid in...

Throughout winter and spring fire personnel on the Lincoln National Forest will be prescribe burning in the La Luz and Maruche Canyons on the Sacramento Ranger District in Otero County as conditions allow. Approximately 146 acres of slash piles are planned for burning in the area. The prescribed burn area is about 3-4 miles north of High Rolls.  Prescribed fire, including pile burning, reduces the risk of severe wildfire and allow less intense fire to play its natural role in a frequent-fire ecosystem like the Lincoln National Forest. Fuel treatments, such as prescribed burns, are an effective way to slow wildfires and moderate fire behavior. The decision to implement a specific prescribed burn depends on multiple conditions, including the firefighter availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality, smoke dispersal, and

A wildfire burned about 900 acres in wooded canyons of southern Lincoln County for almost a week before firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the blaze. The area was nearly inaccessible so helicopters were used to drop water on the flames. North Platte Bulletin (Neb.), March 21, 2022

Drought conditions led the Sonoma County Water Agency to begin the annual process of drawing from the Russian River weeks earlier than normal. A rubber dam was inflated near Forestville on March 21 to create a small pool that the agency draws water from to use in four off-stream infiltration pools for recharging groundwater. KPIX-TV CBS 5 San Francisco (Calif.), March 22, 2022

A volunteer firefighter lost her life while battling a Comanche County fire. Six wildfires burned in Comanche County with three of them being larger than 100 acres. Two mandatory evacuation orders were issued for two parts of the county. Wildfires have been an issue in the region since December with low humidity, high winds and unusually warm temperatures. The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), March 22, 2022

No Mesoscale Discussions are in effect as of Tue Mar 22 12:52:03 UTC 2022.

Public Severe Weather Outlook
PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 0743 AM CDT TUE MAR 22 2022 ...Severe thunderstorms expected over parts of the lower Mississippi Valley today... * LOCATIONS... Much of Mississippi Southern and eastern Louisiana Western Alabama * HAZARDS... Widespread damaging winds, some hurricane force Several tornadoes, a few intense Isolated large hail * SUMMARY... A regional severe weather outbreak appears likely across the Lower Mississippi Valley and central Gulf Coast States today, with some threat continuing into tonight. Tornadoes, some of which should be strong, and potentially widespread damaging winds will be the most impactful hazards. Preparedness actions... Review your severe weather safety procedures for the possibility of dangerous weather today. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, weather.gov, or other media for watches and warnings. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms over the next several hours. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your area, move to a place of safety, ideally in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. && ..Grams.. 03/22/2022 Read more