One way to generate a flash drought is presence of an amplified upper-level high-pressure ridge during summertime across a region hampered by deep layer (10-200 CM) soil moisture deficit. Precipitation deficits over a 9-month (or more) period leads to deep layer soil moisture shortages.

The Alaska high-pressure "ridge bridge" guides arctic air cross-polar into a longwave trough over North America the next week or so causing an unusually cold outbreak. However, immediately thereafter the pattern flips warmer.

La Nina weakened due to emergence of a subsurface Kelvin Wave in the equatorial East Pacific in early February. However, that influence is fading, trade winds are increasing and La Nina has regained some strength the past 2 weeks.

Into the middle third of March 2022, emergence of a late season arctic air mass evolves in central Canada stretching to the U.S. Great Plains. At the same time, another late season arctic air mass emerges in West-central Russia and extends to Southeast Europe.