weather WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN€¦ · generally dry weather prevailed across the...

Volume 106, No. 13 http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather March 26, 2019

(Continued on page 3)

Contents

Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps .................. 2 Temperature Departure Map .................................................... 3 March 19 Drought Monitor & U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook .......................................... 4 Soil Temperature & Snow Cover Maps .................................... 5 National Weather Data for Selected Cities ............................... 6 Winter Weather Review .......................................................... 9 Winter Precipitation & Temperature Maps ......................... 11 Winter Weather Data for Selected Cities ............................ 14 March State Agricultural Summaries .................................. 15 International Weather and Crop Summary ............................. 23 Bulletin Information & U.S. Spring Flood Outlook ................................................. 34

WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN

week after an intense low-pressure system sparked record flooding in the western Corn Belt, a much

more tranquil weather pattern covered much of the country. However, a pair of storm systems—in the East and West, respectively—delivered heavy precipitation in a few areas. The Eastern storm sparked heavy showers in southern Florida before intensifying along the middle and northern Atlantic Coast. Storm-total rainfall of 1 to 3 inches or more resulted in some local flooding in the mid-Atlantic. Meanwhile, heavy precipitation also fell in parts

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service and World Agricultural Outlook Board

HIGHLIGHTS March 17 – 23, 2019

Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB

2 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin March 26, 2019

March 26, 2019 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 3 (Continued from front cover) of northern and central California and the Great Basin. Well-above-average snowpack remained in place from the Sierra Nevada to the central Rockies, but below-average snowpack was a concern in a few northern basins, mainly in the northern Cascades. Elsewhere, generally dry weather prevailed across the northern and southern U.S. In the former region, warmer weather from the Northwest into the upper Midwest induced some melting of snow and led to river rises. In the latter region, spring fieldwork—including early planting activities—advanced, despite a Southeastern cool spell. In fact, chilly conditions dominated the East, where temperatures averaged at least 5°F below normal in many locations from the Ohio Valley southward to the Gulf Coast. In contrast, near- or above-normal temperatures covered much of the western and central U.S. Some of the warmest weather, relative to normal, prevailed in the Pacific Northwest, where temperatures locally averaged more than 10°F above normal. Early- to mid-week warmth blanketed the Pacific Northwest. In western Washington, Hoquiam (71, 75, 79, and 79°F) and Quillayute (69, 74, 81, and 79°F) opened the week with four consecutive daily-record highs from March 17-20. In addition, monthly records were set in both locations. Previously, Hoquiam’s record had been 77°F on March 27, 1994, while Quillayute’s record had been 73°F on March 30, 2013. Seattle, WA, also posted a March record with highs of 79°F on March 19 and 20 (previously, 78°F on March 29, 2004. Salem, OR, logged a trio of daily-record highs (76, 77, and 75°F) from March 18-20. Elsewhere in Oregon, Eugene’s high of 77°F on the 18th represented its highest March reading since March 30, 2003, when the temperature reached 78°F. Early-week warmth also appeared in southern California, where Camarillo notched a daily-record high of 86°F on March 17. Farther inland, pockets of cold air remained trapped across the Intermountain West, where Big Piney, WY, registered a daily-record low of -1°F on March 20. Chilly weather in the East failed to set any records, although widespread freezes reached into northern sections of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, mainly on March 19-20. In McAllen, TX, measurable rain fell each day from March 15-20, totaling 0.90 inch. Farther east, the bulk of southern Florida’s rain fell on March 19, when Key West reported a daily-record sum of 1.60 inches. Two days later, a developing coastal storm produced heavy rain in the mid-Atlantic. Record-setting rainfall totals in Virginia for March 21 included 2.69 inches at Dulles Airport and 1.88 inches in Lynchburg. On the 21st in Pennsylvania, totals of 1.41 inches in Reading and 1.34 inches in Mt. Pocono were records for the date. On March 22-23, snow blanketed portions of the Northeast, where totals included 6.7 inches in Burlington, VT; 3.1 inches in Syracuse, NY; 3.0 inches

in Worcester, MA; and 1.0 inch in Scranton, PA. A few 1- to 2-foot snowfall amounts occurred in the mountains of northern New England. Mt. Washington, NH, New England’s highest peak, received 18.8 inches of snow on March 22-23. Meanwhile, mild, mostly sunny weather melted snow across the northern Plains and the Northwest. In Washington, Spokane’s snow depth decreased to a trace on March 23, down from 16 inches just 10 days earlier. During the same 10-day period, the snow depth in Helena, MT, decreased from 16 to 8 inches. Farther south, however, late-week precipitation spread eastward from northern California. In Nevada, daily-record precipitation totals reached 0.86 inch (on March 21) in Ely and 0.56 inch (on March 23) in Tonopah. Through the 23rd, Ely’s month-to-date precipitation rose to 3.30 inches (485 percent of normal), marking the wettest March in that location since 1894. Showery but mild weather covered much of Alaska. Snow fell in several areas on March 18, when daily-record totals included 3.4 inches in Utqiagvik (Barrow) and 2.8 inches in McGrath. Meanwhile, Yakutat received 3.79 inches of rain on March 17-18. Weekly temperatures averaged 15 to 25°F above normal across much of the eastern half of the Alaskan mainland. On March 22, daily-record highs included 49°F in Anchorage and 40°F in Nome. Kotzebue posted consecutive daily-record highs (36 and 37°F, respectively) on March 23-24. In southeastern Alaska, Juneau tallied a trio of daily-record highs (52, 59, 59°F) from March 17-19. Sitka achieved monthly record highs of 62 and 67°F, respectively on March 18-19; the previous record of 61°F had been set on March 22, 1998. Yakutat (60°F on March 19) also broke a monthly record most recently set on March 22, 1998. Farther south, mostly dry weather continued across Hawaii. Through March 23, month-to-date rainfall at the state’s major airport observation sites ranged from 0.08 inch (5 percent of normal) in Honolulu, Oahu, to 3.57 inches (36 percent) in Hilo, on the Big Island. In addition, increasing warmth led to a daily record-tying high of 85°F in Honolulu on March 22.


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The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements.

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http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

U.S. Drought Monitor March 19, 2019

Valid 8 a.m. EDT

(Released Thursday, Mar. 21, 2019)

Intensity:D0 Abnormally DryD1 Moderate DroughtD2 Severe DroughtD3 Extreme DroughtD4 Exceptional Drought

Author:Jessica Blunden

Drought Impact Types:

S = Short-Term, typically less than 6 months (e.g. agriculture, grasslands)

L = Long-Term, typically greater than 6 months (e.g. hydrology, ecology)

Delineates dominant impacts

NCEI/NOAA

March 26, 2019 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 5


NUMBER OF DAYS

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AL BIRMINGHAM 67 37 75 33 52 -3 0.01 -1.42 0.01 2.15 48 14.77 105 80 22 0 0 1 0HUNTSVILLE 64 36 70 32 50 -3 0.06 -1.49 0.06 3.51 70 24.38 157 75 33 0 1 1 0MOBILE 70 43 76 39 57 -4 0.00 -1.69 0.00 1.62 30 11.11 69 70 29 0 0 0 0MONTGOMERY 69 41 75 37 55 -3 0.00 -1.45 0.00 3.70 76 10.70 70 79 24 0 0 0 0

AK ANCHORAGE 45 34 49 33 40 14 0.02 -0.11 0.02 0.04 8 1.72 91 81 68 0 0 1 0BARROW 6 -11 17 -21 -2 12 0.29 0.29 0.18 0.39 3900 2.02 842 92 78 0 7 4 0FAIRBANKS 48 23 53 11 35 23 0.00 -0.06 0.00 0.00 0 1.44 131 71 59 0 7 0 0JUNEAU 53 38 59 31 45 11 0.96 0.21 0.62 2.21 81 11.91 103 90 79 0 1 3 1KODIAK 44 35 46 22 39 6 2.97 1.81 1.03 7.01 181 15.09 85 92 86 0 3 5 3NOME 24 8 40 -4 16 6 0.07 -0.04 0.05 1.35 346 5.18 251 88 77 0 7 3 0

AZ FLAGSTAFF 52 25 56 22 39 2 0.22 -0.35 0.19 2.59 125 11.49 168 90 35 0 7 3 0PHOENIX 79 57 85 50 68 5 0.00 -0.24 0.00 0.30 36 2.83 116 55 31 0 0 0 0PRESCOTT 62 33 67 27 48 4 0.21 -0.20 0.21 1.11 72 7.54 151 84 25 0 2 1 0TUCSON 76 50 82 42 63 4 0.00 -0.17 0.00 0.62 95 3.74 148 56 29 0 0 0 0

AR FORT SMITH 67 40 73 34 54 1 0.40 -0.51 0.36 2.42 85 11.41 146 78 33 0 0 2 0LITTLE ROCK 66 39 71 35 52 -2 0.17 -0.95 0.13 2.96 88 14.15 137 88 28 0 0 2 0

CA BAKERSFIELD 71 47 82 45 59 2 0.05 -0.26 0.03 1.97 184 4.55 132 76 52 0 0 2 0FRESNO 72 50 83 44 61 5 0.09 -0.40 0.03 1.17 68 6.66 111 78 58 0 0 3 0LOS ANGELES 68 54 81 48 61 3 0.02 -0.50 0.02 2.10 104 12.04 149 80 56 0 0 1 0REDDING 66 46 76 40 56 3 1.41 0.25 0.56 5.97 147 21.76 136 85 62 0 0 3 2SACRAMENTO 67 45 75 40 56 1 1.44 0.83 0.99 3.03 133 14.69 152 96 47 0 0 3 1SAN DIEGO 66 55 75 52 61 1 0.39 -0.12 0.23 1.23 71 7.45 123 77 59 0 0 2 0SAN FRANCISCO 65 49 72 46 57 3 0.97 0.26 0.56 3.90 149 15.66 141 86 69 0 0 3 1STOCKTON 70 45 80 39 58 3 1.00 0.50 0.52 2.20 124 9.09 131 87 65 0 0 3 1

CO ALAMOSA 51 21 53 16 36 3 0.08 -0.01 0.05 1.18 437 2.71 371 85 38 0 7 2 0CO SPRINGS 54 26 58 19 40 2 0.09 -0.15 0.08 1.01 155 1.97 154 82 27 0 7 2 0DENVER INTL 51 29 60 26 40 1 0.12 -0.08 0.12 1.12 172 2.59 233 82 44 0 5 1 0GRAND JUNCTION 57 32 61 28 45 1 0.30 0.08 0.22 2.13 313 3.57 201 67 44 0 4 2 0PUEBLO 60 28 64 21 44 2 0.11 -0.11 0.10 1.13 195 1.87 160 76 44 0 5 2 0

CT BRIDGEPORT 48 31 50 24 39 -1 0.75 -0.21 0.42 3.09 106 10.68 112 70 50 0 4 2 0HARTFORD 47 28 56 22 37 -2 0.66 -0.23 0.51 2.61 95 11.66 122 71 38 0 6 2 1

DC WASHINGTON 54 38 57 35 46 -1 2.05 1.22 1.98 3.95 147 10.77 126 67 36 0 0 2 1DE WILMINGTON 51 33 53 28 42 -1 1.48 0.57 1.37 3.98 137 11.81 129 78 34 0 4 2 1FL DAYTONA BEACH 71 53 78 45 62 -3 0.82 -0.06 0.78 0.84 30 5.64 65 96 48 0 0 3 1

JACKSONVILLE 69 45 75 37 57 -5 0.06 -0.85 0.06 1.55 55 7.75 80 85 37 0 0 1 0KEY WEST 78 68 84 62 73 -1 1.69 1.27 1.61 1.80 144 4.84 97 84 63 0 0 2 1MIAMI 79 64 86 59 71 -2 1.16 0.60 1.02 1.26 75 4.79 85 90 56 0 0 4 1ORLANDO 74 55 81 50 64 -4 0.32 -0.51 0.20 0.40 16 5.66 77 83 50 0 0 4 0PENSACOLA 70 47 74 44 58 -3 0.00 -1.50 0.00 1.49 31 6.60 45 67 27 0 0 0 0TALLAHASSEE 70 41 79 34 55 -7 0.00 -1.52 0.00 2.97 61 7.56 51 86 36 0 0 0 0TAMPA 74 56 77 52 65 -3 0.27 -0.35 0.10 1.91 88 9.03 127 79 47 0 0 4 0WEST PALM BEACH 76 60 82 53 68 -3 2.10 1.23 1.66 2.69 109 14.00 160 88 59 0 0 3 1

GA ATHENS 64 37 71 31 51 -3 0.00 -1.13 0.00 1.89 50 10.84 84 70 28 0 1 0 0ATLANTA 63 42 73 40 53 -2 0.00 -1.23 0.00 1.69 41 12.06 87 55 29 0 0 0 0AUGUSTA 69 35 72 32 52 -5 0.00 -1.04 0.00 1.62 47 7.16 59 85 26 0 2 0 0COLUMBUS 68 42 75 38 55 -3 0.00 -1.32 0.00 2.16 50 9.31 69 70 20 0 0 0 0MACON 68 36 76 31 52 -5 0.00 -1.10 0.00 1.14 31 8.66 65 88 22 0 2 0 0SAVANNAH 68 42 73 37 55 -5 0.00 -0.83 0.00 1.64 65 5.08 54 81 33 0 0 0 0

HI HILO 79 65 81 60 72 0 0.16 -3.23 0.09 3.54 35 16.04 56 78 66 0 0 2 0HONOLULU 83 67 85 63 75 1 0.01 -0.38 0.01 0.09 6 2.59 39 75 59 0 0 1 0KAHULUI 84 63 85 58 73 0 0.10 -0.42 0.08 0.60 36 8.10 104 72 60 0 0 2 0LIHUE 80 67 81 63 73 0 0.08 -0.72 0.08 0.48 18 3.94 38 76 63 0 0 1 0

ID BOISE 62 36 68 32 49 5 0.07 -0.23 0.07 0.33 34 5.12 146 64 38 0 1 1 0LEWISTON 60 35 65 30 47 2 0.00 -0.25 0.00 0.31 41 4.30 151 76 56 0 2 0 0POCATELLO 54 27 61 21 41 3 0.26 -0.04 0.26 0.72 73 4.32 138 81 49 0 5 1 0

IL CHICAGO/O'HARE 46 30 53 25 38 0 0.14 -0.46 0.14 1.64 98 6.51 129 87 54 0 5 1 0MOLINE 53 29 59 23 41 2 0.17 -0.50 0.09 1.67 89 8.45 170 84 50 0 5 2 0PEORIA 52 32 55 24 42 2 0.26 -0.39 0.25 2.39 124 8.04 158 86 44 0 4 2 0ROCKFORD 49 28 53 23 39 2 0.01 -0.53 0.01 1.62 109 7.92 187 85 52 0 5 1 0SPRINGFIELD 53 31 58 25 42 0 0.27 -0.45 0.23 1.57 71 7.60 135 94 41 0 5 2 0

IN EVANSVILLE 54 31 60 25 43 -4 0.15 -0.82 0.15 4.64 151 16.03 177 85 51 0 4 1 0FORT WAYNE 46 29 51 23 37 -2 0.19 -0.45 0.12 1.87 97 6.41 108 94 55 0 5 3 0INDIANAPOLIS 50 29 54 23 39 -3 0.32 -0.46 0.26 2.78 114 10.27 140 87 46 0 5 3 0SOUTH BEND 44 25 50 18 34 -4 0.37 -0.28 0.34 1.15 61 6.14 100 89 58 0 5 3 0

IA BURLINGTON 53 32 57 24 42 1 0.05 -0.63 0.04 1.55 78 6.16 127 84 42 0 4 2 0CEDAR RAPIDS 49 26 55 16 37 0 0.03 -0.48 0.02 0.79 57 5.66 160 98 52 0 6 2 0DES MOINES 52 30 59 24 41 2 0.17 -0.33 0.09 2.10 153 5.91 165 87 51 0 6 2 0DUBUQUE 47 29 53 24 38 2 0.00 -0.59 0.00 1.52 91 8.17 187 85 57 0 6 0 0SIOUX CITY 51 28 57 24 40 3 0.03 -0.44 0.03 2.83 226 4.47 182 92 66 0 7 1 0WATERLOO 47 27 56 22 37 1 0.00 -0.48 0.00 1.39 105 5.56 173 89 64 0 7 0 0

KS CONCORDIA 57 34 64 26 45 2 0.74 0.19 0.73 1.60 99 3.97 132 90 57 0 4 2 1DODGE CITY 63 33 65 27 48 3 0.40 -0.03 0.40 1.14 96 2.75 111 85 33 0 4 1 0GOODLAND 57 27 67 22 42 2 0.42 0.14 0.26 1.02 123 2.19 129 89 48 0 6 3 0TOPEKA 61 37 68 28 49 4 0.26 -0.33 0.24 1.59 92 5.08 132 84 45 0 2 2 0

Based on 1971-2000 normals *** Not Available

TEMP. ˚F

National Weather Data for Selected CitiesWeather Data for the Week Ending March 23, 2019

Data Provided by Climate Prediction Center

PRECIPSTATES

AND STATIONS

RELATIVE HUMIDITY PERCENT

TEMPERATURE ˚F PRECIPITATION


NUMBER OF DAYS

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WICHITA 65 39 70 34 52 6 0.31 -0.32 0.28 2.41 128 4.55 122 74 41 0 0 2 0

KY JACKSON 56 33 64 31 45 -3 0.01 -0.97 0.01 1.78 54 14.91 141 72 25 0 4 1 0LEXINGTON 56 30 61 24 43 -3 0.04 -0.96 0.04 1.77 54 13.51 136 75 41 0 4 1 0LOUISVILLE 58 35 64 31 47 -1 0.06 -0.94 0.06 1.91 58 14.31 146 74 29 0 3 1 0PADUCAH 60 33 68 29 46 -2 0.11 -0.83 0.11 4.61 149 19.81 189 75 39 0 3 1 0

LA BATON ROUGE 71 43 77 38 57 -4 0.00 -1.13 0.00 0.91 25 7.81 52 89 26 0 0 0 0LAKE CHARLES 73 46 81 43 60 -1 0.00 -0.81 0.00 0.17 7 8.09 71 86 30 0 0 0 0NEW ORLEANS 69 49 76 44 59 -4 0.00 -1.17 0.00 1.51 40 12.02 79 80 36 0 0 0 0SHREVEPORT 74 42 78 37 58 -1 0.00 -0.91 0.00 1.63 53 9.27 78 84 25 0 0 0 0

ME CARIBOU 34 16 46 1 25 -1 0.66 0.08 0.62 1.16 64 9.72 142 77 44 0 7 2 1PORTLAND 41 25 47 18 33 -1 0.81 -0.14 0.77 2.42 84 11.90 118 84 45 0 6 2 1

MD BALTIMORE 51 33 53 27 42 -2 1.86 0.96 1.78 3.69 126 10.88 115 71 42 0 4 3 1MA BOSTON 47 32 52 28 40 1 0.92 0.05 0.86 2.82 103 10.19 102 65 35 0 4 3 1

WORCESTER 40 25 48 18 33 -2 0.60 -0.38 0.52 2.66 88 11.22 110 81 44 0 7 3 1MI ALPENA 42 20 48 7 31 2 0.00 -0.49 0.00 1.09 75 6.22 136 86 49 0 7 0 0

GRAND RAPIDS 43 25 47 19 34 -1 0.36 -0.24 0.36 1.83 112 8.72 168 87 53 0 6 1 0HOUGHTON LAKE 40 21 46 12 31 1 0.05 -0.42 0.05 1.47 109 6.48 154 89 54 0 7 1 0LANSING 43 25 49 17 34 -1 0.47 -0.06 0.47 1.54 106 6.42 142 91 56 0 6 1 0MUSKEGON 42 25 44 19 34 -1 0.21 -0.33 0.21 2.83 184 10.60 199 82 59 0 5 1 0TRAVERSE CITY 42 25 48 18 34 3 0.04 -0.40 0.04 1.29 106 8.25 138 90 49 0 5 1 0

MN DULUTH 44 26 53 15 35 9 0.00 -0.39 0.00 1.08 104 4.16 139 77 61 0 6 0 0INT'L FALLS 44 18 54 1 31 7 0.00 -0.21 0.00 0.80 140 3.74 182 91 50 0 7 0 0MINNEAPOLIS 47 28 54 23 37 4 0.01 -0.43 0.01 2.02 176 5.54 186 81 53 0 6 1 0ROCHESTER 41 25 48 19 33 2 0.00 -0.43 0.00 1.40 127 6.30 226 92 75 0 7 0 0ST. CLOUD 43 22 48 16 33 4 0.00 -0.35 0.00 1.70 200 4.06 185 92 56 0 7 0 0

MS JACKSON 70 38 76 33 54 -3 0.00 -1.31 0.00 3.08 76 12.72 90 81 24 0 0 0 0MERIDIAN 71 37 77 33 54 -4 0.00 -1.59 0.00 2.23 44 14.33 88 87 26 0 0 0 0TUPELO 66 35 73 30 51 -3 0.16 -1.28 0.16 2.22 47 23.24 160 83 30 0 1 1 0

MO COLUMBIA 57 37 66 30 47 2 0.03 -0.69 0.03 2.44 110 9.40 153 77 37 0 1 1 0KANSAS CITY 58 37 66 28 48 3 0.22 -0.33 0.22 1.55 92 5.78 139 85 40 0 2 1 0SAINT LOUIS 56 37 63 32 47 1 0.10 -0.73 0.08 2.68 106 9.17 132 71 45 0 2 2 0SPRINGFIELD 60 36 68 30 48 1 0.22 -0.66 0.21 2.55 99 8.29 119 68 43 0 1 2 0

MT BILLINGS 52 27 60 22 40 3 0.00 -0.25 0.00 0.12 17 3.07 148 79 41 0 6 0 0BUTTE 50 10 55 3 30 -1 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.21 38 1.39 90 82 35 0 7 0 0CUT BANK 52 22 60 16 37 6 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.06 19 0.79 80 92 43 0 7 0 0GLASGOW 43 22 49 8 32 0 0.00 -0.09 0.00 0.01 4 2.01 226 83 71 0 6 0 0GREAT FALLS 46 21 53 17 33 -1 0.00 -0.22 0.00 0.35 54 3.91 213 91 53 0 7 0 0HAVRE 44 21 53 12 32 -1 0.00 -0.16 0.00 0.09 20 1.99 154 94 80 0 7 0 0MISSOULA 50 21 52 19 36 -2 0.00 -0.21 0.00 0.17 26 2.82 114 82 66 0 7 0 0

NE GRAND ISLAND 54 30 61 24 42 3 1.01 0.53 0.66 3.17 238 4.62 181 93 64 0 5 2 1LINCOLN 55 29 65 19 42 2 0.59 0.07 0.42 1.92 134 4.90 178 87 57 0 4 2 0NORFOLK *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** 4.42 189 *** *** *** *** *** ***NORTH PLATTE 57 25 68 19 41 3 0.16 -0.12 0.07 1.57 196 2.33 137 90 42 0 6 3 0OMAHA 53 33 61 25 43 3 0.13 -0.37 0.13 2.28 164 5.43 183 83 57 0 2 1 0SCOTTSBLUFF 52 28 65 19 40 2 0.21 -0.05 0.09 1.45 199 2.11 114 95 61 0 5 2 0VALENTINE 53 26 65 19 39 3 0.06 -0.19 0.06 1.77 253 2.99 202 85 52 0 6 1 0

NV ELY 52 27 58 22 39 3 1.53 1.31 0.99 3.19 425 5.84 261 92 57 0 7 4 1LAS VEGAS 72 51 78 47 62 3 0.03 -0.09 0.03 0.36 75 3.45 196 48 28 0 0 1 0RENO 60 36 68 30 48 4 0.43 0.25 0.38 1.01 146 7.77 277 69 43 0 2 3 0WINNEMUCCA 58 34 68 23 46 5 0.43 0.24 0.37 1.30 224 3.98 196 82 49 0 2 3 0

NH CONCORD 42 23 50 15 33 -1 0.24 -0.45 0.24 1.29 61 7.83 105 81 42 0 6 1 0NJ NEWARK 49 34 52 29 41 -2 1.43 0.45 1.06 4.17 138 11.85 119 70 41 0 3 2 1NM ALBUQUERQUE 61 40 64 33 50 2 0.08 -0.06 0.04 0.61 142 1.78 131 68 33 0 0 2 0NY ALBANY 44 28 55 24 36 0 0.40 -0.30 0.34 0.99 46 7.96 117 72 41 0 6 2 0

BINGHAMTON 38 23 49 19 30 -3 0.78 0.12 0.48 1.15 56 7.38 104 83 53 0 6 3 0BUFFALO 40 26 50 20 33 -2 0.08 -0.60 0.04 1.24 59 10.23 133 83 54 0 6 3 0ROCHESTER 44 28 54 22 36 1 0.22 -0.36 0.09 0.85 48 6.32 103 73 50 0 6 4 0SYRACUSE 41 25 53 21 33 -1 0.82 0.13 0.43 1.42 69 7.52 111 91 51 0 6 5 0

NC ASHEVILLE 57 32 62 27 44 -3 0.13 -0.91 0.13 2.32 68 14.51 128 70 35 0 4 1 0CHARLOTTE 63 35 68 29 49 -4 0.10 -0.91 0.05 2.71 82 13.24 122 70 23 0 2 2 0GREENSBORO 59 35 64 32 47 -3 0.89 0.01 0.60 3.00 106 12.90 136 73 26 0 3 2 1HATTERAS 59 47 65 38 53 0 0.62 -0.53 0.62 2.72 75 12.73 95 86 51 0 0 1 1RALEIGH 58 36 63 32 47 -4 0.64 -0.28 0.55 2.58 84 10.27 97 82 36 0 2 2 1WILMINGTON 63 40 67 34 52 -3 0.83 -0.13 0.81 3.09 96 6.92 61 87 32 0 0 2 1

ND BISMARCK 43 21 50 9 32 2 0.00 -0.18 0.00 1.11 213 2.91 197 92 64 0 7 0 0DICKINSON 44 24 55 14 34 3 0.00 -0.14 0.00 0.00 0 2.39 217 89 60 0 7 0 0FARGO 37 18 41 11 28 0 0.00 -0.27 0.00 1.40 187 3.97 189 93 77 0 7 0 0GRAND FORKS 37 16 40 5 27 1 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.84 150 3.71 204 90 72 0 7 0 0JAMESTOWN 37 18 41 12 28 -1 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.17 31 2.00 119 96 73 0 7 0 0WILLISTON 46 20 59 8 33 3 0.00 -0.17 0.00 0.01 2 1.94 140 87 67 0 7 0 0

OH AKRON-CANTON 46 27 54 23 37 -1 0.11 -0.61 0.08 1.70 76 9.11 130 76 48 0 6 3 0CINCINNATI 53 30 58 25 42 -3 0.17 -0.72 0.16 2.85 103 14.19 168 78 42 0 5 2 0CLEVELAND 45 30 53 26 37 -1 0.24 -0.42 0.09 1.60 79 8.76 129 81 49 0 6 4 0COLUMBUS 48 30 55 23 39 -4 0.28 -0.37 0.17 2.76 136 11.34 168 84 47 0 5 3 0DAYTON 49 29 55 23 39 -2 0.20 -0.54 0.08 1.94 87 12.34 174 83 42 0 6 3 0MANSFIELD 44 26 51 20 35 -2 0.13 -0.64 0.05 2.02 91 9.49 135 92 51 0 6 4 0


TEMP. ˚F PRECIPSTATES

AND STATIONS


Weather Data for the Week Ending March 23, 2019



NUMBER OF DAYS

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TOLEDO 47 27 51 21 37 -1 0.17 -0.42 0.16 1.74 101 6.11 110 79 46 0 6 2 0YOUNGSTOWN 45 26 54 23 36 -1 0.08 -0.62 0.06 1.76 84 9.22 143 76 48 0 6 2 0

OK OKLAHOMA CITY 68 40 72 32 54 2 0.24 -0.42 0.22 2.33 110 4.87 98 75 33 0 1 2 0TULSA 67 41 72 34 54 2 0.71 -0.12 0.63 2.97 116 8.04 132 77 42 0 0 2 1

OR ASTORIA 65 39 77 34 52 6 0.12 -1.52 0.12 1.47 26 14.05 61 84 62 0 0 1 0BURNS 56 30 62 23 43 6 0.44 0.17 0.43 1.00 106 5.24 162 76 47 0 4 2 0EUGENE 65 39 77 33 52 6 0.28 -1.01 0.22 0.84 19 12.07 65 81 65 0 0 2 0MEDFORD 66 40 76 35 53 6 0.29 -0.11 0.22 0.69 49 8.68 145 77 39 0 0 2 0PENDLETON 58 34 66 28 46 0 0.08 -0.20 0.08 0.47 52 5.32 149 88 62 0 4 1 0PORTLAND 66 43 73 35 54 7 0.06 -0.75 0.04 0.92 32 7.81 64 72 54 0 0 2 0SALEM 67 40 77 34 53 6 0.41 -0.49 0.28 1.12 34 11.14 78 75 56 0 0 3 0

PA ALLENTOWN 50 30 55 23 40 1 1.47 0.65 1.12 4.91 192 12.72 144 69 37 0 4 2 1ERIE 41 28 53 21 35 -2 0.07 -0.63 0.05 1.55 73 8.33 120 71 53 0 6 2 0MIDDLETOWN 50 32 54 26 41 -1 2.39 1.67 2.18 4.56 188 11.44 140 73 34 0 4 2 1PHILADELPHIA 50 35 54 31 43 -1 1.01 0.13 0.74 3.62 132 10.91 121 68 39 0 2 2 1PITTSBURGH 46 27 54 22 37 -3 0.08 -0.64 0.07 1.40 62 9.69 132 80 34 0 6 2 0WILKES-BARRE 45 27 53 21 36 -3 1.33 0.72 0.75 2.53 138 8.77 138 76 40 0 6 2 2WILLIAMSPORT 48 28 53 21 38 -1 1.21 0.49 1.14 2.00 90 9.27 121 75 35 0 6 2 1

RI PROVIDENCE 46 28 49 23 37 -2 1.02 0.00 0.86 3.28 105 13.70 125 75 46 0 6 3 1SC CHARLESTON 66 42 71 36 54 -4 0.00 -0.94 0.00 0.63 22 2.99 30 80 28 0 0 0 0

COLUMBIA 65 36 69 30 50 -6 0.00 -1.05 0.00 2.49 74 6.44 54 90 28 0 2 0 0FLORENCE 63 40 68 34 52 -4 0.42 -0.51 0.37 2.29 78 6.80 68 89 27 0 0 2 0GREENVILLE 63 38 71 34 50 -2 0.00 -1.21 0.00 2.57 63 14.82 117 59 22 0 0 0 0

SD ABERDEEN 38 14 43 3 26 -5 0.00 -0.31 0.00 1.10 136 3.54 200 92 79 0 7 0 0HURON 41 22 49 17 32 -1 0.01 -0.38 0.01 2.09 201 4.17 200 92 73 0 7 1 0RAPID CITY 49 26 59 21 37 2 0.03 -0.20 0.03 0.64 102 2.12 145 89 52 0 6 1 0SIOUX FALLS 50 28 57 23 39 6 0.00 -0.43 0.00 3.64 334 6.16 292 90 63 0 7 0 0

TN BRISTOL 56 30 61 23 43 -4 0.18 -0.70 0.18 3.00 101 17.76 180 81 28 0 5 1 0CHATTANOOGA 63 38 67 32 50 -2 0.00 -1.43 0.00 5.30 114 23.61 159 71 27 0 1 0 0KNOXVILLE 58 36 64 30 47 -3 0.03 -1.16 0.03 3.42 88 21.48 172 70 25 0 3 1 0MEMPHIS 64 40 68 36 52 -2 0.26 -1.00 0.26 3.56 89 17.09 136 81 31 0 0 1 0NASHVILLE 63 35 69 29 49 -2 0.00 -1.11 0.00 2.94 81 21.35 189 74 22 0 3 0 0

TX ABILENE 71 45 79 39 58 1 0.00 -0.30 0.00 1.29 129 2.39 77 71 39 0 0 0 0AMARILLO 66 35 69 31 50 2 0.90 0.65 0.80 2.14 293 2.48 130 81 28 0 2 3 1AUSTIN 74 44 80 37 59 -3 0.00 -0.45 0.00 0.52 32 4.39 79 68 41 0 0 0 0BEAUMONT 75 47 82 45 61 -2 0.00 -0.86 0.00 0.37 14 9.89 85 88 34 0 0 0 0BROWNSVILLE 72 60 81 52 66 -3 0.73 0.55 0.31 1.79 331 3.69 120 96 76 0 0 4 0CORPUS CHRISTI 74 55 82 48 65 -1 0.05 -0.31 0.04 0.23 18 2.64 56 83 54 0 0 2 0DEL RIO 73 53 83 41 63 -1 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.45 68 0.70 32 81 54 0 0 0 0EL PASO 70 44 74 39 57 0 0.00 -0.03 0.00 0.25 139 0.47 46 61 22 0 0 0 0FORT WORTH 71 47 77 39 59 1 0.00 -0.67 0.00 1.63 69 4.50 68 70 31 0 0 0 0GALVESTON 69 56 74 52 62 -3 0.00 -0.63 0.00 0.42 21 8.30 96 85 46 0 0 0 0HOUSTON 74 49 81 45 61 -2 0.00 -0.75 0.00 0.47 20 6.58 73 91 38 0 0 0 0LUBBOCK 66 40 74 35 53 1 0.01 -0.14 0.01 1.13 235 1.19 70 72 37 0 0 1 0MIDLAND 67 42 75 36 55 -1 0.13 0.06 0.13 0.81 245 0.95 66 78 48 0 0 1 0SAN ANGELO 71 41 82 33 56 -2 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.66 89 1.26 46 79 43 0 0 0 0SAN ANTONIO 72 50 77 42 61 -2 0.28 -0.13 0.28 0.48 35 2.58 54 80 44 0 0 1 0VICTORIA 74 51 80 46 62 -2 0.00 -0.50 0.00 0.07 4 4.86 80 90 43 0 0 0 0WACO 71 42 77 33 56 -3 0.12 -0.40 0.12 1.39 72 6.97 112 86 47 0 0 1 0WICHITA FALLS 71 43 80 35 57 2 0.00 -0.50 0.00 2.57 160 4.46 104 76 39 0 0 0 0

UT SALT LAKE CITY 56 38 63 31 47 3 0.36 -0.07 0.21 1.86 138 4.88 120 74 36 0 1 3 0VT BURLINGTON 39 24 50 18 31 -1 1.25 0.72 1.07 2.02 131 7.64 141 79 42 0 6 3 1VA LYNCHBURG 55 31 59 24 43 -4 1.89 1.02 1.88 3.48 123 11.13 118 62 30 0 5 2 1

NORFOLK 56 42 65 36 49 0 0.61 -0.32 0.40 1.96 65 10.46 102 85 44 0 0 4 0RICHMOND 57 34 61 26 45 -3 1.62 0.68 1.37 3.57 117 11.18 117 81 37 0 4 4 1ROANOKE 56 35 59 26 45 -3 0.09 -0.78 0.09 1.72 61 10.24 112 61 31 0 3 1 0WASH/DULLES 51 31 55 23 41 -3 2.74 1.94 2.70 4.52 175 11.98 143 71 41 0 4 2 1

WA OLYMPIA 68 31 79 28 49 5 0.04 -1.13 0.03 0.90 22 10.94 62 90 58 0 5 2 0QUILLAYUTE 68 38 81 34 53 9 0.14 -2.29 0.12 1.17 14 22.24 64 84 58 0 0 2 0SEATTLE-TACOMA 69 48 79 40 58 12 0.01 -0.82 0.01 1.17 41 9.62 79 63 46 0 0 1 0SPOKANE 57 33 64 26 45 5 0.00 -0.33 0.00 0.48 42 4.63 104 74 44 0 3 0 0YAKIMA 63 30 69 26 47 4 0.00 -0.14 0.00 0.30 63 4.13 169 79 47 0 4 0 0

WV BECKLEY 48 28 57 20 38 -5 0.12 -0.70 0.08 2.31 86 13.77 155 75 38 0 5 2 0CHARLESTON 53 32 64 23 42 -4 0.10 -0.78 0.08 1.35 46 10.48 112 85 30 0 5 2 0ELKINS 48 25 58 19 37 -4 0.41 -0.47 0.23 1.84 63 9.56 100 81 42 0 6 3 0HUNTINGTON 54 32 62 25 43 -3 0.04 -0.83 0.04 1.60 56 10.78 118 77 31 0 5 1 0

WI EAU CLAIRE 41 23 49 16 32 0 0.00 -0.43 0.00 0.73 67 5.53 189 90 55 0 6 0 0GREEN BAY 46 29 52 24 38 6 0.15 -0.33 0.15 1.66 129 6.71 191 82 51 0 5 1 0LA CROSSE 48 27 56 21 38 3 0.00 -0.46 0.00 1.78 155 6.98 210 90 47 0 6 0 0MADISON 48 27 53 22 38 4 0.00 -0.52 0.00 0.88 63 6.98 178 85 51 0 5 0 0MILWAUKEE 47 30 53 25 38 3 0.17 -0.42 0.16 1.53 96 7.31 144 81 51 0 5 2 0

WY CASPER 47 21 56 17 34 -2 0.01 -0.18 0.01 3.66 590 4.64 252 88 55 0 7 1 0CHEYENNE 46 26 58 20 36 2 0.24 0.00 0.20 1.13 169 1.98 127 85 50 0 6 2 0LANDER 52 26 58 21 39 3 0.00 -0.28 0.00 0.37 49 1.62 89 70 29 0 7 0 0SHERIDAN 54 26 61 22 40 4 0.00 -0.22 0.00 0.38 64 1.79 93 83 46 0 7 0 0


Weather Data for the Week Ending March 23, 2019

STATES AND

STATIONS

TEMP. ˚F PRECIP




Winter Weather Review Weather summary provided by USDA/WAOB

Highlights: Amid a developing El Niño, the nation experienced its wettest winter during the 124-year period of record, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. While the stormy regime extended into nearly every corner of the country, wetness was most acute in the central and eastern U.S. For much of the winter, heavy precipitation was distributed well enough, spatially and temporally, to prevent major flooding. During February, however, severe flash flooding affected parts of California, while significant river flooding developed across portions of the mid-South and lower Midwest. Near- or above-normal winter temperatures belied the fact that a severe cold outbreak engulfed the northern Plains and Midwest, starting in late January. The cold weather, accompanied by frequently heavy snow, persisted through the remainder of winter, helping to set the stage for major, mid- to late-March flooding in the western Corn Belt. The snowy, cold weather extended into the Northwest, especially during the first half of February, leading to an increase in livestock stress and mortality. For the West as a whole, it was the second time in 3 years that widespread winter precipitation resulted in significant reductions in drought coverage. Across the eleven Western States, drought coverage according to the U.S. Drought Monitor decreased from 55 to 25 percent between mid-December and early March. National drought coverage fell from 23 to 12 percent during the same period, and there was no drought at winter’s end east of the Mississippi River. Historical Perspective: The National Centers for Environmental Information reported that the meteorological winter of 2018-19 was generally mild and extremely wet, with a national average temperature of 33.4°F (1.2°F above the 20th century mean) and precipitation averaging 9.01 inches (133 percent of normal). In fact, it was the wettest winter on record, going back to 1895-96. Previously, the wettest December-February period had been observed during the strong El Niño of 1997-98, when precipitation averaged 8.99 inches. Meanwhile, the nation experienced its 38th-warmest winter during the 124-year period of record. State temperature rankings ranged from the 40th-coldest winter in South Dakota to the seventh-warmest winter in Florida (figure 1). Top-ten rankings for winter warmth also occurred in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Meanwhile, state precipitation rankings ranged from the 47th-driest December-February period in Washington to the wettest winter on record in Tennessee (figure 2). In addition, top-ten rankings for winter wetness were observed in 18 states in the central and eastern United States, stretching from the

Plains States of Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota to the Atlantic Coast States of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Figure 1 Figure 2 December: A parade of storms provided plenty of precipitation in most parts of the country. Precipitation surpluses were most apparent across the Plains and the Southeast; both areas contended with multiple major weather systems. In the latter region, a mid-month deluge followed an early-season snowfall. Additional Southeastern storms during the second half of December pushed annual precipitation totals into record-setting territory and led to several rounds of mostly minor to moderate flooding. Acute wetness—for both December and 2018—extended as far north as the Ohio Valley and the mid-Atlantic.

10 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin March 26, 2019 Meanwhile, wintry conditions across the nation’s mid-section peaked amid the holiday season, particularly during a post-Christmas storm that delivered wind-driven snow from the southern High Plains into the upper Great Lakes region. Late-December precipitation eased short-term dryness on the southern Plains—one of the few regions east of the Rockies with drought-related concerns. The Great Lakes region and Deep South Texas were among a handful of areas east of the Rockies reporting pockets of below-normal monthly temperatures. Warmth dominated the central and eastern U.S., with December temperatures averaging at least 5ºF above normal across large parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest. In fact, warmth also extended across much of the West, excluding portions of the northern Intermountain region. December precipitation was highly variable across the West. Relative to normal, monthly precipitation was greatest in the Northwest, northern Great Basin, and the southern Rockies. By early January, some of the lowest snowpack values, compared to typical amounts, were noted in southern Idaho. January: Most of the country continued to receive ample precipitation, with occasional heavy snow occurring from the northern and central Plains into the Northeast and periods of heavy rain soaking the South. However, mild weather on the northern High Plains eroded winter wheat’s protective snow cover, while a substantial snow cover developed across the upper Midwest and interior Northeast. Late in the month, brutally cold weather engulfed the Midwest, setting all-time low temperature records in some locations and severely stressing livestock. High winds and periods of snow accompanied the Arctic blast, further disrupting the normal cycle of agricultural and municipal life. Although snow covered much of the Midwest late in the month, some soft red winter wheat fields from central Missouri into northwestern Ohio were exposed to potential winterkill and soil heaving. Despite the late-month cold wave, significantly below-normal January temperatures were mostly limited to the upper Great Lakes States. Meanwhile, monthly temperatures averaged at least 5°F above normal across parts of the West and the northern High Plains. Western precipitation was highly variable, but generally above normal from California to the central Rockies, and below normal in the southern Rockies and the Northwest. Heavy January precipitation in the Sierra Nevada added 10 inches (from 7 to 17 inches) to the average water equivalency of the high-elevation snowpack—a boost from

approximately 70 to 100 percent of normal. In contrast, end-of-January snowpack ranged from 50 to 75 percent of average in many basins in the Cascades and southern Idaho. February: Stormy February weather dominated the country, bolstering Western snowpack; burying the northern Plains and upper Midwest under heavy snow; and triggering flooding in parts of California, as well as the mid-South and lower Midwest. Storms largely bypassed only a few areas, including the lower Southeast and southernmost sections of the Rockies and Plains. By the end of February, average to much-above-average snowpack dominated the Western mountains, except in a few areas near the Canadian and Mexican borders. According to the California Department of Water Resources, the Sierra Nevada snowpack gained an average of 20 inches of water equivalency during the month to reach 37 inches for the season—more than 150 percent of the February 28 average. In contrast, developing drought on the southern High Plains stressed some rangeland, pastures, and winter grains. By March 3, nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of Texas’ winter wheat was rated in very poor to poor condition, while statewide topsoil moisture was categorized as being 42 percent very short to short. Farther east, unseasonable Southeastern warmth accelerated crop development and spurred early-season planting activities. As a result, some Southeastern crops, including blooming fruit trees, could be vulnerable to potential spring freezes. Monthly temperatures averaged more than 10°F above normal in parts of the lower Southeast, but generally ranged from 10 to 30°F below normal across the northern Plains. Frigid, snowy conditions also gripped the central Plains and the upper Midwest. Very cold air bled across the northern Rockies into the Northwest, combining with wind and snow to adversely affect some cattle and dairy operations. Winter agricultural regions in California and the Desert Southwest experienced chronically cool weather but avoided major freezes. Elsewhere, several rounds of heavy rain triggered widespread lowland flooding, starting in the Ohio Valley and later shifting into the Tennessee Valley and environs. At the same time, a barrage of winter storms struck the north-central U.S., periodically resulting in blizzard conditions and hampering rural travel. By the end of February, floodwaters continued to drain from fields, creeks, and streams into larger rivers of the lower Mississippi Valley, while many February and all-time monthly snowfall records were broken across the northern Plains and upper Midwest.


AL BIRMINGHAM 49 4 23.96 9.83 LEXINGTON 39 4 17.80 7.16 COLUMBUS 34 3 12.45 4.79

HUNTSVILLE 47 5 30.87 14.81 LONDON-CORBIN 40 3 23.55 11.51 DAYTON 33 4 15.03 7.06

MOBILE 56 4 18.94 3.43 LOUISVILLE 40 4 18.30 8.08 MANSFIELD 30 3 11.23 3.17

MONTGOMERY 53 4 16.99 1.53 PADUCAH 40 4 20.79 9.01 TOLEDO 30 3 7.19 0.74

AK ANCHORAGE 22 5 4.11 1.64 LA BATON ROUGE 56 4 16.54 -0.01 YOUNGSTOWN 31 3 11.19 3.86

BARROW -3 10 2.00 1.65 LAKE CHARLES 56 3 14.96 1.56 OK OKLAHOMA CITY 39 0 6.70 1.97

COLD BAY 33 4 15.46 5.46 NEW ORLEANS 59 5 15.84 -0.57 TULSA 39 0 8.65 2.67

FAIRBANKS 0 7 1.86 0.20 SHREVEPORT 50 1 18.91 5.55 OR ASTORIA 43 0 22.41 -5.48

JUNEAU 29 1 15.33 1.09 ME BANGOR 21 0 12.21 3.00 BURNS 27 1 5.28 1.69

KING SALMON 26 10 4.80 1.66 CARIBOU 13 0 12.33 4.11 EUGENE 41 0 16.92 -5.37

KODIAK 33 3 16.13 -5.40 PORTLAND 27 2 13.13 1.66 MEDFORD 40 0 11.20 3.73

NOME 11 4 4.74 2.06 MD BALTIMORE 37 2 13.73 3.89 PENDLETON 34 -1 6.51 2.36

AZ FLAGSTAFF 29 -2 9.85 3.28 MA BOSTON 34 2 10.39 -0.56 PORTLAND 42 1 11.97 -2.99

PHOENIX 55 0 2.72 0.20 WORCESTER 27 1 13.21 2.24 SALEM 41 0 16.06 -1.33

TUCSON 52 -1 4.62 1.72 MI ALPENA 21 1 7.80 2.86 PA ALLENTOWN 34 4 14.05 4.41

AR FORT SMITH 43 2 14.50 6.15 DETROIT 29 2 6.74 0.44 ERIE 31 2 9.71 1.17

LITTLE ROCK 44 1 21.51 9.86 FLINT 26 2 6.39 1.29 MIDDLETOWN 34 3 12.58 3.57

CA BAKERSFIELD 51 2 3.20 0.05 GRAND RAPIDS 27 2 8.88 2.62 PHILADELPHIA 37 2 13.67 4.10

EUREKA 47 -1 26.04 8.21 HOUGHTON LAKE 20 -1 7.17 2.56 PITTSBURGH 32 2 13.83 5.90

FRESNO 50 3 6.05 0.43 LANSING 26 2 7.21 1.98 WILKES-BARRE 31 2 9.43 2.34

LOS ANGELES 56 -1 11.39 3.51 MUSKEGON 28 2 10.66 4.22 WILLIAMSPORT 31 3 13.46 5.06

REDDING 47 0 20.11 3.45 TRAVERSE CITY 25 2 9.75 2.32 PR SAN JUAN 78 1 6.54 -3.35

SACRAMENTO 49 1 14.02 4.19 MN DULUTH 13 1 5.05 2.16 RI PROVIDENCE 32 1 15.69 3.73

SAN DIEGO 58 0 9.24 3.61 INT'L FALLS 7 0 3.77 1.59 SC CHARLESTON 54 4 12.11 1.71

SAN FRANCISCO 52 2 13.41 2.06 MINNEAPOLIS 18 1 5.25 2.42 COLUMBIA 49 3 11.20 -0.68

STOCKTON 50 3 9.23 2.24 ROCHESTER 16 0 6.99 4.28 FLORENCE 51 4 11.42 0.84

CO ALAMOSA 16 -2 1.85 1.06 ST. CLOUD 13 0 3.69 1.65 GREENVILLE 46 3 23.71 11.20

CO SPRINGS 32 3 1.05 0.00 MS JACKSON 51 4 17.67 2.16 MYRTLE BEACH 51 3 9.29 -1.32

DENVER 31 1 1.50 0.73 MERIDIAN 52 4 22.36 5.78 SD ABERDEEN 12 -3 3.75 2.41

GRAND JUNCTION 30 1 2.38 0.76 TUPELO 47 4 28.57 12.63 HURON 15 -3 3.25 1.81

PUEBLO 33 2 0.83 -0.15 MO COLUMBIA 33 2 11.26 4.86 RAPID CITY 21 -4 2.72 1.49

CT BRIDGEPORT 34 2 13.92 3.80 JOPLIN 37 1 7.58 0.53 SIOUX FALLS 18 0 3.75 2.21

HARTFORD 30 2 14.01 3.61 KANSAS CITY 30 0 7.27 3.17 TN BRISTOL 41 5 20.61 10.30

DC WASHINGTON 41 3 12.64 3.75 SPRINGFIELD 37 2 9.97 2.41 CHATTANOOGA 46 4 27.31 12.25

DE WILMINGTON 36 2 14.68 5.04 ST JOSEPH 29 -1 6.09 2.64 JACKSON 43 2 20.09 6.15

FL DAYTONA BEACH 63 3 9.68 1.10 ST LOUIS 35 2 10.47 3.19 KNOXVILLE 44 4 25.56 12.49

FT LAUDERDALE 71 3 8.09 -0.20 MT BILLINGS 23 -4 3.64 1.59 MEMPHIS 45 2 22.37 8.14

FT MYERS 68 2 9.47 3.56 BUTTE 17 -2 1.50 -0.03 NASHVILLE 44 4 24.22 12.02

JACKSONVILLE 59 4 11.16 1.68 GLASGOW 15 0 2.70 1.72 TX ABILENE 47 1 4.74 1.37

KEY WEST 74 3 4.94 -0.93 GREAT FALLS 20 -4 3.89 2.03 AMARILLO 40 2 0.92 -0.87

MELBOURNE 66 4 9.92 2.64 HELENA 20 -3 3.13 1.77 AUSTIN 53 1 10.24 3.92

MIAMI 71 2 5.11 -1.02 KALISPELL 23 -1 3.75 -0.52 BEAUMONT 57 3 18.48 4.19

ORLANDO 65 3 12.06 4.97 MILES CITY 19 -2 2.31 1.02 BROWNSVILLE 65 4 2.55 -1.10

PENSACOLA 58 4 21.65 7.66 MISSOULA 23 -2 3.50 0.52 COLLEGE STATION 53 1 16.52 7.59

ST PETERSBURG 65 2 14.97 6.74 NE GRAND ISLAND 25 0 4.89 3.01 CORPUS CHRISTI 60 2 3.22 -1.99

TALLAHASSEE 57 4 20.36 6.27 HASTINGS 26 -1 4.87 2.92 DALLAS/FT WORTH 48 1 7.42 0.58

TAMPA 65 3 15.80 8.56 LINCOLN 25 -1 6.30 4.11 DEL RIO 55 2 1.51 -0.77

WEST PALM BEACH 69 2 12.75 3.31 MCCOOK 27 -2 3.24 1.57 EL PASO 48 1 0.65 -0.96

GA ATHENS 48 4 19.84 7.05 NORFOLK 22 -1 4.59 2.61 GALVESTON 58 1 12.59 2.37

ATLANTA 49 4 22.20 8.68 NORTH PLATTE 25 -1 2.16 0.86 HOUSTON 56 2 13.73 3.38

AUGUSTA 52 5 11.48 -0.27 OMAHA/EPPLEY 24 -1 6.10 3.61 LUBBOCK 42 2 1.50 -0.38

COLUMBUS 53 4 15.08 1.42 SCOTTSBLUFF 28 1 0.98 -0.70 MIDLAND 47 2 1.16 -0.60

MACON 51 4 13.78 0.30 VALENTINE 23 -1 2.11 1.00 SAN ANGELO 49 2 3.07 0.14

SAVANNAH 55 4 11.58 1.90 NV ELKO 28 0 4.58 1.63 SAN ANTONIO 54 2 4.44 -0.93

HI HILO 72 0 22.47 -6.63 ELY 26 -1 3.04 1.05 VICTORIA 56 1 9.73 2.78

HONOLULU 75 1 3.10 -4.83 LAS VEGAS 49 0 3.26 1.58 WACO 49 1 10.31 3.22

KAHULUI 74 2 8.04 -1.14 RENO 37 2 7.85 4.85 WICHITA FALLS 44 1 5.84 1.47

LIHUE 73 1 7.50 -5.13 WINNEMUCCA 32 0 4.70 2.44 UT SALT LAKE CITY 32 1 4.30 0.37

ID BOISE 34 2 6.19 2.28 NH CONCORD 25 2 9.80 1.51 VT BURLINGTON 22 1 8.55 2.44

LEWISTON 35 0 4.79 1.65 NJ ATLANTIC CITY 36 2 14.49 4.89 VA LYNCHBURG 39 2 14.79 4.92

POCATELLO 26 0 4.38 1.13 NEWARK 35 1 14.77 4.26 NORFOLK 46 4 12.59 2.29

IL CHICAGO/O'HARE 27 2 8.19 2.38 NM ALBUQUERQUE 37 -1 1.96 0.54 RICHMOND 42 3 11.06 1.41

MOLINE 26 1 9.73 4.44 NY ALBANY 28 3 10.40 3.07 ROANOKE 40 2 14.76 5.59

PEORIA 28 2 9.84 4.27 BINGHAMTON 25 1 8.94 0.87 WASH/DULLES 36 2 13.22 4.33

ROCKFORD 24 1 9.26 4.45 BUFFALO 28 1 12.35 2.97 WA OLYMPIA 38 -1 17.54 -4.06

SPRINGFIELD 30 1 10.94 4.98 ROCHESTER 29 3 8.07 0.96 QUILLAYUTE 40 -1 43.99 3.49

IN EVANSVILLE 37 3 17.54 7.99 SYRACUSE 26 1 9.37 1.54 SEATTLE-TACOMA 42 0 14.53 -0.40

FORT WAYNE 31 4 7.48 0.72 NC ASHEVILLE 42 4 23.06 11.78 SPOKANE 28 -1 6.77 1.19

INDIANAPOLIS 32 2 11.28 3.36 CHARLOTTE 46 2 17.51 6.78 YAKIMA 31 0 4.51 1.16

SOUTH BEND 27 1 7.74 0.40 GREENSBORO 43 3 16.89 7.19 WV BECKLEY 37 4 16.70 7.42

IA BURLINGTON 27 1 6.99 2.04 HATTERAS 53 5 20.93 6.59 CHARLESTON 39 3 15.06 5.30

CEDAR RAPIDS 22 0 6.96 3.33 RALEIGH 45 3 13.92 3.39 ELKINS 34 3 11.74 1.67

DES MOINES 24 0 6.71 3.16 WILMINGTON 50 2 10.91 -1.05 HUNTINGTON 39 3 15.28 5.61

DUBUQUE 21 0 8.72 4.33 ND BISMARCK 13 -1 2.47 1.07 WI EAU CLAIRE 16 0 6.85 3.98

SIOUX CITY 21 -1 3.53 1.66 DICKINSON 15 -3 3.02 1.88 GREEN BAY 21 2 7.07 3.44

WATERLOO 20 0 6.77 3.77 FARGO 9 -2 3.70 1.78 LA CROSSE 20 0 8.11 4.70

KS CONCORDIA 28 -2 5.00 2.75 GRAND FORKS 5 -5 3.70 1.89 MADISON 22 1 8.49 4.30

DODGE CITY 32 -1 2.81 0.76 JAMESTOWN 10 -3 2.18 0.60 MILWAUKEE 26 2 8.19 2.47

GOODLAND 30 0 1.59 0.32 MINOT 11 -3 2.75 0.94 WAUSAU 17 0 7.09 3.77

HILL CITY 29 -1 3.50 1.96 WILLISTON 13 1 2.68 1.18 WY CASPER 24 0 1.38 -0.46

TOPEKA 32 1 6.55 3.00 OH AKRON-CANTON 32 4 10.79 3.04 CHEYENNE 29 2 1.23 -0.12

WICHITA 34 1 3.94 0.73 CINCINNATI 36 3 16.90 7.95 LANDER 20 -2 2.03 0.36

KY JACKSON 40 3 20.60 9.09 CLEVELAND 32 4 10.21 2.30 SHERIDAN 23 0 2.13 0.11


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National Weather Data for Selected CitiesWinter 2018-19

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March State Agricultural Summaries These summaries, issued weekly through the summer growing season, provide brief descriptions of crop and weather conditions important on a national scale. More detailed data are available in Crop Progress and Condition Reports published each Monday by NASS State Statistical Offices in cooperation with the National Weather Service. The crop reports are available on the Internet through the NASS Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.nass.usda.gov.

ALABAMA: March temperatures were generally on par with historical averages. Total rainfall for the month ranged from 1.2 inches in multiple locations to 6.6 inches in Jackson County. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 4.5 percent of the State had abnormally dry conditions by month's end, compared to being free of abnormally dry conditions at the beginning of March. Tornadoes caused severe damage in several Southern counties on March 3. Frequent rains in the first half of the month, coupled with already flooded fields from February rains, delayed row crop field preparations and small grain and winter grazing fertilizer and chemical applications. Dry weather during the third week of the month allowed producers to begin catching up on delayed fieldwork as well as to begin planting corn. Winter wheat was in fair to good condition. Livestock farmers continued to feed hay and supplements as pastures were slow to recover from the cold and wet winter conditions. Most producers had adequate supplies on hand at the end of the month. Livestock and pastures were in fair to good condition, depending on the severity of flooding on each farm. Sub-freezing temperatures in early March may have negatively impacted the peach and blueberry crops. ALASKA: DATA NOT AVAILABLE ARIZONA: The following is for the entire month of March 2019. By the end of the month, cotton planting was 24 percent complete, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Ninety-five percent of barley was planted, 89 percent had emerged, and 21 percent had reached the headed stage compared with 32 percent last year. Barley conditions were rated mostly good. Fourteen percent of durum wheat reached the headed stage compared with 28 percent last year. Durum wheat conditions were rated mostly good. Alfalfa conditions were rated mostly good, depending on location last week with harvesting taking place on more than three-quarters of the alfalfa acreage across the State. For the entire State, pasture and range conditions were rated mostly good to fair. ARKANSAS: The month of March has been wet and cool. The first of the month had a number of rainy days but the last half of the month welcomed warmer temperatures and drier conditions. During mid-month, temperatures for the State averaged 50.9 degrees and received an average of 1.57 inches of rainfall. Towards the end of the month, rainfall decreased with a weekly average of 0.33 inch and temperatures averaging 53.0 degrees for the State. Livestock, pasture, and hay

conditions started to improve as the weather improved. Row crop producers finally started field preparation for the upcoming season. Many fields still need to be worked to remove ruts and prepare for planting. Very little planting of row crops has occurred. CALIFORNIA: Topsoil moisture 90% adequate and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture 30% adequate and 70% surplus. Winter wheat condition 5% fair, 20% good, and 75% excellent. Pasture and range condition 10% poor, 20% fair, 40% good, and 30% excellent. All estimates are for the week ending March 24, 2019. Throughout the month, California experienced temperatures slightly below average. Rainfall throughout most of the State was also slightly below average. Pastures started to green up, but livestock remained on supplemental feed. Peaches and prunes have started to bloom. Asparagus harvest was halted because of rain. Processed tomato transplanting has begun. COLORADO: For the week ending March 24, topsoil moisture was 2% very short, 9% short, 82% adequate, and 7% surplus. For the week ending March 24, subsoil moisture was 3% very short, 15% short, 80% adequate, and 2% surplus. For the week ending March 24, barley planted was 1% compared to 1% in 2018. For the week ending March 24, winter wheat pastured was 16% compared with 9% in 2018; 5% poor, 27% fair, 55% good, and 13% excellent. For the week ending March 24, cows calved was 47% compared to 39% in 2018. For the week ending March 24, ewes lambed was 42% compared with 37% in 2018. For the week ending March 24, livestock condition was 1% very poor, 3% poor, 26% fair, 65% good, and 5% excellent. For the week ending March 24, cattle death loss was 13% heavy, 75% average, 12% light. For the week ending March 24, sheep death loss was 7% heavy, 57% average, and 36% light. For the week ending March 24, pasture and range condition was 2% very poor, 10% poor, 50% fair, 34% good, and 4% excellent. For the week ending March 24, feed and concentrate supplies were 1% very short, 22% short, 75% adequate, and 2% surplus. Soil moisture supplies improved considerably during March due to significant storms. Fieldwork remained stalled due to continued wet conditions. Heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions mid-March caused loss of livestock, particularly in northeastern and east central counties. Feed supplies in the San Luis Valley were noted as particularly tight. Overall, condition of winter wheat and rangeland improved due to received moisture. Reporters also noted losses during calving and lambing were more than normal due to cold temperatures and wet conditions

16 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin March 26, 2019 in March. Statewide snowpack was 140 percent measured as percent of median snowfall as of March 21, 2019. DELAWARE: The month of March saw a period of favorable ground conditions, allowing for progression in fieldwork across the State. Fieldwork activities included repairing fall ruts, planting of spring forage crops (including grass, alfalfa, and oats), top dressing/N-application on small grains, and spreading lime and poultry litter. Winter wheat has been greening. Farmers will continue to monitor fruit crops for damage caused by extreme temperature fluctuations over the winter months. The end of March brought more than 2.0 inches of rain for much of the reporting region, resulting in a return to saturation and some laying water. Vegetable producers will be planting peas when field conditions allow for it. FLORIDA: Total rainfall for the month ranged from 0.47 inches in Orange County to 15.67 inches in Palm Beach County. According to the March 21, 2019 U.S. Drought Monitor, 7.25 percent of the State was experiencing abnormally dry conditions at the month's end, down slightly from 7.74 percent on February 26, 2019. The dry conditions are almost exclusively along the Atlantic coastal counties, from the mid to Southern Peninsula. Average temperatures were as much as 5.5 degrees above normal for the month. Pasture conditions remained mostly fair to good, improving most notably in the Southern Peninsula later in the month. Cattle remained in good condition throughout the month. Many growers were able to prepare the land for planting field crops, and by the end of the month corn was planted in multiple counties. Warmer temperatures and wet conditions continued to present disease pressures to fruit and vegetable crops throughout the State. A wide range of vegetable crops came to the market including broccoli, cauliflower, pepper, and zucchini. Citrus grove operations were normal for this time of year and included spraying, applying herbicide, and taking care of young trees. Tangerines were harvested throughout the month. Fresh market white grapefruit harvest finished by the end of the month. Some trees began to form fruit for next season's crop. Irrigation was run regularly throughout the month in all citrus producing areas. GEORGIA: Total rainfall for the month ranged from 1.33 inches in Bibb County to 6.30 inches in Gilmer County. Temperatures were above average in several counties this month. Wet weather persisted for the first half of the month in the Northern part of the State. Conversely, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions moved into many counties in the Southeastern part of the State, with moderate drought conditions impacting a few counties. Livestock producers throughout the State were feeding hay where grazing conditions were poor. Fertilizer, lime, and some pesticides were spread on pastures this month. Unseasonably cold temperatures and late frosts

negatively impacted some peach and blueberry crops causing minimal losses. Many producers have begun preparing the land for planting field crops. Some growers in the Southern part of the State have already begun planting corn. There were reports in Southwest Georgia of cotton fields which were never harvested due to the wet winter. HAWAII: DATA NOT AVAILABLE IDAHO: Idaho was waiting to start planting due to high moisture and low temperatures. Ground in Boundary County was still frozen with snow cover. Snow was melting rapidly on the Southern, Southwestern, and Southeastern slopes in Latah and Nez Perce Counties, but soils remained too saturated to work. Spring calving was nearing completion in Southwestern Idaho. Topsoil in Cassia and Minidoka Counties were dry, but subsoil continued to be very wet. Rangeland needed more heat before it became usable. Tractors recently started to enter fields in Jerome and Twin Falls Counties. Winter pastures were in poor conditions while spring pastures began to green. Camas County had at least three feet of snow in fields, while Bear Lake and Teton Counties had at least two feet of snow. The ground was thawing and snow was melting in Oneida County. Snow was melting with the welcoming of rain in Power County. Teton County experienced some minor flooding. ILLINOIS: For the week ending March 24, 2019, topsoil moisture was 44% adequate and 56% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 45% adequate and 55% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 4% very poor, 10% poor, 45% fair, 36% good, and 5% excellent. Statewide, the average temperature in March was 34.9 degrees, 4.7 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 2.45 inches for the month, 0.16 inch below normal. INDIANA: Topsoil moisture for the month of March was 1% short, 55% adequate, and 44% surplus. Subsoil moisture for the month of March was 1% short, 60% adequate, and 39% surplus. Winter wheat condition for the month of March rated 3% very poor, 11% poor, 34% fair, 46% good, and 6% excellent. Statewide temperatures averaged 35.0 degrees, 4.2 degrees below normal for the month of March. Statewide average precipitation was 2.33 inches, 0.17 inch below normal. The month of March started off frigid, with the first week seeing temperatures well below average, before warming up slightly for the remaining weeks. While the State saw slightly below average precipitation for the month, the cold temperatures did little to dry out fields, and high soil moisture limited fieldwork in much of the State. There were reports of flooding in some fields, particularly in the Southern part of the State. Winter wheat condition remained mostly good to excellent, with most damage reports being confined to areas with extreme cold or standing water. Livestock were reported to be doing well, despite muddy conditions in some feedlots. Some

March 26, 2019 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 17 farmers were able to spread fertilizer and top-dress wheat where fields remained frozen. Other activities for the month included hauling corn and soybeans to market, installing drainage tile, preparing equipment for the growing season, and visiting USDA-Farm Service Agency offices to certify production for the 2018 Market Facilitation Program. IOWA: Recent snow melt and rain during the month of March caused flooding and standing water in fields throughout the State of Iowa. Almost all the snow has melted except for piles and drifts. Grain movement has been restricted due to soft gravel roads. There were a few reports of producers being able to apply manure and anhydrous before field conditions got too wet. Most producers are still waiting for soil conditions to dry out before entering their fields. Livestock producers have been busy with calving. However, the mud has created challenges, and cold to warm temperature fluctuations caused higher death loss than normal. Feedlots in the open have also struggled dealing with the mud. There were reports of cattle losing weight causing producers to supplement larger rations. Hay supplies are running short as pastures show little to no growth yet this season. KANSAS: For the week ending March 24, 2019, days suitable for fieldwork were 2.3 days. Topsoil moisture was 0% very short, 1% short, 64% adequate, and 35% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 0% very short, 1% short, 72% adequate, and 27% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 37% fair, 45% good, and 7% excellent. KENTUCKY: For the month of March, Kentucky saw below normal temperatures and precipitation. After February was uncharacteristically wet, March offered some drier weather. Temperatures for the period averaged 42 degrees across the State which was 4 degrees cooler than normal. Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 2.38 inches Statewide which was 1.04 inches below normal and 70% of normal. The State experienced a very wet fall and winter which has given way to drier conditions entering the spring. The majority of farmers are still contending with slowly drying soil presenting a hindrance to fieldwork and planting preparation. The persistent precipitation and heavy downpours during February caused flooding and erosion in pockets of the State. Although March has been much more favorable weather wise, in many instances the damage was done. Farmers sprayed fields and spread fertilizer where conditions allowed. Pasture ground was damaged due to the excessive rain last month leading to increased stress and death loss for cattle. For the month of March, livestock conditions were reported as 7% very poor, 19% poor, 34% fair, 36% good, and 4% excellent. Hay supply has remained mostly short with some farmers reporting poor quality as well. The shortage has caused an increase in prices creating further stress. Some cattle producers have turned to alternative

mixtures to meet the nutritional needs of their animals. A few producers have even had to liquidate their herds due to pasture condition coupled with high hay prices. For the month of March, hay and roughage supplies were reported as 25% very short, 47% short, 26% adequate, and 2% surplus. Winter wheat remains in mostly good condition at this time. For the month of March, winter wheat conditions were rated as 2% very poor, 13% poor, 32% fair, 42% good, and 11% excellent. LOUISIANA: Like February, the first part of March was wet and cool but the last half of the month welcomed some warmer drier conditions in some parts of the State. Sunshine and windy conditions set up for better conditions for fieldwork. Producers took advantage of the respite by catching up on corn and rice plantings. Rain was still an issue and other parts of the State leading to aerial applications of burn-down and rice water seeding. While still causing wet conditions, the State rainfall was down 1.28 inches with an average of 2.5 inches over the past four weeks, with the North Central, South Central, and Southeast districts receiving the most precipitation. Average temperatures for the month were in the mid-fifties, slightly down from the annual average. Most crops, including vegetables and fruits, seemed to be recovering from the early spring frosts. Crawfish producers struggled early in the month but will improve with more consistent temperatures. Hay stocks were exhausted affecting some livestock but spring pastures were beginning to green. Some producers were using rye to feed. MARYLAND: The month of March saw a period of favorable ground conditions, allowing for progression in fieldwork across the State. Fieldwork activities included repairing fall ruts, planting of spring forage crops (including grass, alfalfa, and oats), top dressing/N-application on small grains, and spreading lime and poultry litter. Winter wheat has been greening. Farmers will continue to monitor fruit crops for damage caused by extreme temperature fluctuations over the winter months. The end of March brought more than 2.0 inches of rain for much of the reporting region, resulting in a return to saturation and some laying water. Vegetable producers will be planting peas when field conditions allow for it. MICHIGAN: For the month of March, topsoil moisture was 1% short, 37% adequate, and 62% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 0% very short, 2% short, 58% adequate, and 40% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 6% very poor, 25% poor, 33% fair, 26% good, and 10% excellent. Precipitation for the month of March averaged 1.56 inches throughout the State, 0.10 inches below normal. Temperature for the month of March averaged 25.6 degrees, 3.9 degrees below normal. Most areas in the State experienced fluctuating temperatures and moderate levels of precipitation throughout the month, and counties in the Upper Peninsula reported having high levels of snow currently on the ground. However, in

18 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin March 26, 2019 the Lower Peninsula warmer temperatures melted most of the snow resulting in flooding and standing water in certain fields. The large amount of precipitation had a negative effect on winter wheat conditions, due to many fields being underwater and then frozen at some point. Livestock were reported to be doing well, and there were reports of some producers finishing up lambing. The maple syrup harvest was also reported to be going well. Fruit growers began pruning their trees, and some reported concerns about possible freeze damage. Other activities included early nitrogen and manure applications where weather permitted. MINNESOTA: March started off with colder than normal temperatures throughout the State, followed by more seasonal temperatures as the month continued. Snow cover remains over much of the State, although melting resulted in reports of standing water in fields and localized flooding. Some producers were looking for additional hay due to short hay supplies. Livestock producers continued calving and lambing activities, with mixed reports of good calving conditions or struggles depending on the area. Livestock conditions have been harsher than normal this winter with some losses due to severe cold and structure failures. Reports of collapsed roofs on barns and other structures came in from across the State. MISSISSIPPI: The beginning of March brought more rain for the State. This left producers in many areas unable to get land prepped for early season crops and caused delays in fieldwork. Many livestock producers experienced difficulty with fertilizing, seeding, and pasture management practices. Livestock and pasture conditions suffered due to saturated soils, cattle bogging, and limited grazing. Mid-March brought drier and warmer weather that allowed more fieldwork. Some producers' were able to take advantage of the drying conditions and start getting in fields for burn-down applications and planting. Although the month had a late start, producers' are hopeful for more conditions conducive to fieldwork. MISSOURI: For the week ending March 24, 2019. Topsoil moisture was rated 55% adequate and 45% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% short, 62% adequate and 37% surplus. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 32% very short, 35% short, and 33% adequate. Stock water supplies were rated 87% adequate and 13% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 2% very poor, 11% poor, 57% fair, 28% good, and 2% excellent. Conditions overall for the month were cold with the State averaging 2.57 inches of precipitation for the month, only 0.07 inches above average. Temperatures for the month averaged 37.9 degrees for the State, 5.7 degrees below normal. Some areas reported river flooding. MONTANA: Topsoil moisture for the month of March was 1% very short, 5% short, 75% adequate, and 19%

surplus. Subsoil moisture for the month was 1% very short, 12% short, 80% adequate, and 7% surplus. For the month of March, winter wheat - wind damage was 56% none 11% light, 32% moderate, and 1% heavy. Winter wheat - freeze and drought damage 31% none, 19% light, 47% moderate, and 3% heavy for the month. Winter wheat - protectiveness of snow cover for the month was 8% very poor, 11% poor, 16% fair, 34% good, and 31% excellent. Livestock grazing accessibility for the month of March was - 33% open, 25% difficult, and 42% closed. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for the month was as follows - cattle and calves 95% fed, 98% last year. Livestock receiving supplemental feed - sheep and lambs 97% fed, 100% last year. Warmer temperatures and snow melt were widespread throughout Montana for the month of March, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Topsoil moisture conditions were 94 percent adequate to surplus which is above last year's 86 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 87 percent adequate to surplus which is above last year's 68 percent. Reporters throughout the State welcomed warmer temperatures, but that was accompanied by large amounts of snow melt. Eastern and Central areas of the State experienced flooding, however, much of the soil remains frozen, contributing to massive run off and standing water in fields. Winter freeze and wind damage to winter wheat remains high with 69 percent of reporters observing freeze and drought damage, and 44 percent reporting wind damage. Winter wheat snow coverage for the state is rated 65 percent good to excellent, which aligns with the previous year. Winter wheat condition is rated 62 percent good to excellent, compared with 65 percent last year. Grazing accessibility was limited with 42 percent of grazing lands reported as inaccessible or closed, and 25 percent rated as difficult. Livestock producers are providing supplemental feed at a slightly lower rate than the previous year, with 95 percent of cattle being fed, compared to 98 percent at this time last year, and 97 percent of sheep being fed, compared to 100 percent at this time last year. NEBRASKA: For the month of March 2019, topsoil moisture was rated 0% very short, 2% short, 47% adequate, and 51% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 0% very short, 4% short, 62% adequate, and 34% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 34% fair, 53% good, and 8% excellent. NEVADA: All estimates are for week ending March 24, 2019.Topsoil moisture was rated 5% adequate and 95% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5% adequate and 95% surplus. Pasture and range condition was rated 5% poor, 30% fair, 60% good, and 5% excellent. In Reno, precipitation and snowfall for the month were 1.01 and 0.4 inches, respectively. Temperatures were below average with temperatures returning to normal

March 26, 2019 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 19 near the end of the month. Early planted hay and small grains began to emerge. Spring calving was ongoing. NEW ENGLAND: New England weather had been relatively mild without excessive temperatures or snowfall. During the month of March the region experienced average snowfall but later than normal. Most areas of the region reported snow covered fields. With the ground still frozen and packed with snow in the fields, no one had been out preparing for planting. Farmers were anxiously awaiting fields to be free of frost and dried out to begin field activities. Maple harvest was underway with sap off to a slow flow because of cold weather and snowpack. Fruit growers continued pruning fruit trees and were watching weather carefully for any signs of early bud break. The cranberry crop was still in the dormant phase and growers were preparing for the frost. Operators with greenhouse and high tunnel had begun seeding vegetables for transplant. NEW JERSEY: For the month of March, field work on soil preparation for spring planting was active in some parts of the State, soil amendments to dry like fields were seen. Weather condition continued its regular pattern for the season, including wind, cold, and rain leaving some areas in muddy conditions. Orchard fruits and woody ornamental buds began to swell due to 35 to 50 F temperatures. Field work activity included fertilizer applications, pruning, and machine maintenance. NEW MEXICO: This report for New Mexico is for the entire month of March 2019. Topsoil moisture 12% very short, 52% short, 34% adequate, 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture 31% very short, 37% short, 31% adequate, 1% surplus. Alfalfa hay condition 3% poor, 63% fair, 33% good, 1% excellent. Winter wheat condition 5% very poor, 44% poor, 26% fair, 22% good, 3% excellent. Chile planted 5% complete, 16% last year. Onions planted 21% complete, 52% last year; emerged 5% complete. Cows calved 29% complete, 14% last month, 25% last year. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 85%, 90% last month, 91% last year. Cattle condition 1% very poor, 18% poor, 52% fair, 23% good, 6% excellent. Ewes lambed 18% complete, 9% last month, 25% last year. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 71%, 78% last month, 78% last year. Sheep and lamb condition 16% poor, 57% fair, 27% good. Hay and roughage supplies 27% very short, 32% short, 40% adequate, 1% surplus. Stock water supplies 17% very short, 26% short, 56% adequate, 1% surplus. Average temperatures coupled with average to above-average precipitation in many locations led to a boost in soil moisture levels and winter wheat condition. Cool season grasses were becoming more prevalent which allowed ranchers to decrease the amount of supplemental feed being given to their herds. The increased moisture prompted many farmers to begin their spring fieldwork in preparation for row crop planting. Comments from Dona Ana County indicated that the lettuce crop planted during January was in excellent

condition, with head sizes as large as a baseball. In addition, fall-planted onions were also in excellent condition. Reports from Union County indicated that recent rain and snow showers benefitted most dryland wheat that had been previously noted in very poor condition due to heavy grazing pressure. The United States Drought Monitor released on March 21 noted that exceptional drought (D4) was not present in the State for the first time since April 3, 2018. Severe to extreme drought (D2-D3) was reportedly covering 26.3 percent of the State, with 18.2 percent and 8.1 percent categorized as D2 and D3, respectively. This was a decline of 4.9 percent from last month. Overall, conditions rated abnormally dry or worse remained evident across 63.7 percent of the State. NEW YORK: A few counties continued to experience some below average temperatures and receive periods of snow and rain mixes, creating muddy conditions. Operators; looking forward to warmer spring weather, spread manure but few were able to do any tillage. Winter wheat and hay seemed to progress through the month well. Colder night temperatures allowed some maple syrup producers to start early but was short lived in some areas as weather was seasonal with some warmer days. Long Island vineyards and orchards throughout the state pruned and tied down fruiting wire. NORTH CAROLINA: For the week ending March 24, topsoil moisture was 1% short, 59% adequate and 40% surplus. Subsoil moisture was 58% adequate and 42% surplus. Barley condition was 3% poor, 34% fair, 62% good, and 1% excellent. Oats condition was 1% very poor, 7% poor, 41% fair, 47% good, and 4% excellent. Winter wheat condition was 7% very poor, 13% poor, 27% fair, 41% good, and 12% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies were 4% very short, 28% short, 66% adequate, and 2% surplus. Pasture and range condition was 3% very poor, 16% poor, 45% fair, 34% good, and 2% excellent. For the month of March, light rain and cooler temperatures slowed the growth of fall crops, pastures and hayfields. Some drier weather for the month was a welcome sight for most producers. In some areas of the State, soil conditions had dried sufficiently to allow some field preparations. Pastures were greening up nicely with warmer temperatures. The warmer weather was of some concern for fruit crops as buds are starting to swell and some fruit trees are starting to put out. Soil moisture had finally come down to average wet from saturated this past week. Winter was wet and warm. Wheat had been top-dressed and was looking good considering the wet winter we had. Tobacco greenhouses started to be clipped for the first time this week. Temperatures were near average with frost/freeze in am and near 60 in afternoons. Good working conditions existed on farms. NORTH DAKOTA: For the month of March 2019, topsoil moisture rated 2% very short, 6% short, 76%

20 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin March 26, 2019 adequate, and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 4% very short, 14% short, 72% adequate, and 10% surplus. Winter wheat condition, 1% very poor, 4% poor, 19% fair, 74% good, and 2% excellent. Cattle and calf conditions, 1% very poor, 5% poor, 23% fair, 67% good, and 4% excellent. Cattle and calf death loss, 7% heavy, 67% average, and 26% light. Calving progress was at 25%. Sheep and lamb conditions, 1% very poor, 3% poor, 38% fair, 53% good, and 5% excellent. Sheep and lamb death loss, 7% heavy, 70% average, and 23% light. Lambing progress was at 46%. Hay and roughage supplies, 6% very short, 21% short, 66% adequate, and 7% surplus. Stock water supplies, 4% very short, 5% short, 78% adequate, and 13% surplus. OHIO: Topsoil moisture for the month was 38% adequate and 62% surplus. Subsoil moisture for the month was 39% adequate and 61% surplus. Winter wheat condition for the month was rated 6% very poor, 22% poor, 41% fair, 29% good, and 2% excellent. The preliminary March 2019 Statewide average temperature was 34.4 degrees, 3.7 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.99 inches Statewide, which was 0.33 inches below normal for the month of March. The beginning of the month was much cooler than normal and slightly less wet than normal. There was a brief period of warmer than usual temperatures during the middle of the month while the State received less snow and rain than normal during that timeframe. The temperature at the end of the month was cooler than usual. The ground was still saturated for much of March despite lower than normal amounts of rainfall for the month. Wet fields slowed fieldwork like tilling and manure applications. Spring lambing and calving were on schedule, although wet conditions put producers behind schedule for activities like cleaning out barns and manure pits. OKLAHOMA: March started with some of the coldest temperatures of the season along with ice and snow. Planting for the 2019 crop year was slowed by the amount of precipitation in the soil as well as strong winds. Winter wheat and rye were both behind the five year average while canola remained steady, but oats were progressing well. Livestock and pasture conditions were rated good to fair and the Drought Monitor shows less than one percent of the State is abnormally dry. OREGON: Oregon exited the winter months with good snowpack and snow water equivalent well above average. Many watersheds in the Eastern part of the State were 130% (or greater) of normal. For the drought stricken areas of Klamath, Lake and Harney Counties, this was great news going forward in crop year 2019. Thanks to cool night-time temperatures, there were no reports of flooding Statewide. The snow cover stayed on the ground for much of March. In the North Central and North Eastern regions of the State, almost all spring planting was late. Producers rushed to get spring work

completed. Although the water outlook was good for the spring crops, the lateness of planting spring grains was a concern for some producers. Winter canola crop looked excellent. Sherman County anticipated that it still might take a few weeks before producers could get equipment into some fields. Cattle producers were also impacted. Many livestock producers purchased extra hay. More calving loss was observed due to the winter storms that brought frigid temperatures and high winds. Much of the Northern coastal regions observed heavy snow in early March followed by a warm-up near the end of the month. The unexpected snow impacted some of the orchard crops. Broken limbs was the main issue. Most producers had finished pruning. Older orchards had the most damage. Since most grass seed and wheat fields had already received the first application of fertilizer, several producers were uncertain how much of the application would be utilized due to heavy moisture. Like much of the rest of the State, spring crops were late in planting. In South Central and Southeastern Oregon, it was still early to assess pasture and range condition, with much of the region still covered in snow. Planting progress was spotty for all crops. Some Lake County livestock producers reported higher than normal calving death losses due to winter weather. In the Southern part of Klamath County, pasture conditions looked good. Fields were prepped for planting. In the Northern part of the county, there was still a lot of snow on the ground. PENNSYLVANIA: Temperatures for March ranged from a high of 64(F) degrees to a low of 3(F) degrees. Average daily precipitation was reported as 0.12 inches with average snowfall for the month of reported as 10.4 inches. March began with a mix of wintery conditions followed by increasingly warmer weather. Snows have dissipated and temperatures have increased as the month progressed but reports of wet fields and, in some cases, flooding have prevented a complete return to field activates. As conditions slowly dry operators have again approached their fields in order to prepare for spring planting. Field activity varied throughout the State but included alfalfa seeding, tree pruning, manure spreading and rock removal. SOUTH CAROLINA: March temperatures were generally on par with historical averages. Total rainfall for the month ranged from 0.6 inch in multiple locations to 5.1 inches in Oconee County. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 28.9 percent of the State had abnormally dry conditions by month's end, up 3.2 percent from month's beginning. Additionally, 2.4 percent of the State entered into moderate drought conditions in March. The dry conditions were primarily confined to the coastline and the southernmost counties. Despite dry soil conditions in these counties, vegetables and strawberries were in good condition overall. Producers harvested a variety of vegetables. Strawberry harvesting was in full swing by the month's end. Rain delayed fieldwork in inland counties for much of the month, but drier

March 26, 2019 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 21 conditions by month's end allowed for field preparations and some corn planting. Hay and pasture fields greened up once weather and soil conditions became favorable. Peach trees were in good condition and in full bloom. Minimal cold damage is expected for this year's crop. Tobacco planting is expected to begin on schedule in the next couple of weeks. SOUTH DAKOTA: The following conditions were reported for the month of March, topsoil moisture was rated 0% very short, 1% short, 62% adequate, and 37% surplus. Subsoil was rated moisture was 0% very short, 3% short, 76% adequate, and 21% surplus. Winter wheat condition was rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 53% fair, 43% good, and 1% excellent. TENNESSEE: The week ending March 24, 2019, topsoil moisture 2% short, 63% adequate, 35% surplus. Subsoil moisture 57% adequate, 43% surplus. Winter wheat condition 1% very poor, 8% poor, 41% fair, 41% good, 9% excellent. Pasture and Range condition 3% very poor, 21% poor, 38% fair, 34% good, 4% excellent. Cattle condition 1% very poor, 5% poor, 32% fair, 53% good, 9% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 14% very short, 27% short, 51% adequate, 8% surplus. A week of drier weather in Tennessee has helped producers. Fields are drying out and producers are starting to prepare their fields for the upcoming growing season. Pasture and range condition is mostly poor to fair. Cattle condition is mostly fair to good. Hay and roughage supplies were mostly short to adequate. TEXAS: Throughout the month of March, Texas experienced a wide range of temperatures with little to no rainfall in some areas. The month started out warm and dry, but then turned cold for most of the month, with some rainfall between Edwards Plateau and North East Texas. Overall, the cold windy weather slowed small grains progress in the Northern districts, while winter wheat suffered from the lack of moisture in many Southern districts. Corn, sorghum and cotton planting was underway in the beginning of the month continued slightly behind the normal pace throughout the month. Fruit and vegetable producers were continuing their harvest of spinach, cabbage and sugarcane, while fruit trees were blooming in the West. Some damages too fruits and vegetables due to the freezing temperatures was still being assessed across the State. Range and pasture condition remained constant throughout much of the State. However, some cattle producers were considering downsizing herds, while the use of supplemental feeding increased. Livestock conditions were mostly fair to good Statewide. UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of March 2019. Topsoil moisture 50 % adequate and 50 % surplus. Subsoil moisture 1% short, 77% adequate, 22% surplus. Pasture and range condition 12% very poor, 14% poor, 29% fair, 31% good, 14% excellent. Winter

wheat condition 9 % poor, 28% fair, 56% good, 7% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 9% very short, 31% short, 53% adequate, 7% surplus. Stock water supplies 7% short, 92% adequate, 1% surplus. Barley planted 1% compared with 8% last year Cattle and calves condition 7% poor, 28% fair, 65% good. Sheep and lambs condition 6% poor, 26% fair, 68% good. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 89% compared with 82% last year. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 68% compared to 66% last year. Cows calved 41% compared to 40% last year. Ewes lambed-farm flock 44% compared to 36% last year. Ewes lambed-range flock 7%, 5% last year. Utah saw some moisture over the last few weeks, and snowpack levels remain well above normal, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Topsoil moisture level conditions rated surplus rose from 9 percent to 50 percent, with the moisture received. Barley planting progress is currently at 1 percent, slightly behind last year. Good condition ratings for cattle and calves fell from 76 percent to 65 percent and sheep and lambs from 74 percent to 68 percent. The percentage of cattle and calves receiving supplemental feed is 89 percent, compared to 82 percent from a year ago. Box Elder County reports good moisture over the last month, with excellent snowpack in the mountains. Wasatch County reports good snow cover. Uintah County reports beef producers have lost a high percentage of their calves due to deep snow. Beaver County reports lots of sick young calves with the wet, cold weather. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 9 percent very short, 31 percent short, 53 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Stock water supplies were rated 7 percent short, 92 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. VIRGINIA: For week ending March 24, 2019, days suitable for fieldwork were 3.9 days. Topsoil moisture 1% short, 53% adequate, 46% surplus. Subsoil moisture 55% adequate, 45% surplus. Winter wheat condition 1% very poor, 8% poor, 41% fair, 45% good, 5% excellent. Barley condition 2% very poor, 9% poor, 45% fair, 42% good, 2% excellent. Livestock condition 2% very poor, 9% poor, 39% fair, 44% good, 6% excellent. Pasture and Range condition 10% very poor, 32% poor, 38% fair, 19% good, 1% excellent. Hay supplies 4% very short, 26% short, 67% adequate, 3% surplus. Percent of feed obtained from pastures 11%. Virginia experienced above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures in March. Persistent rainy conditions this winter and spring have resulted in significant damage to some pastures and feeding areas and caused delays in field work. Some producers that were able to react quickly between rain events have been able to get equipment out for field preparation. A few areas of the State are finally starting to experience some drier weather, however. Hay and roughage supplies were mostly short to adequate. Farming activities for the month included lime, fertilizer, manure,

22 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin March 26, 2019 and burn down herbicide applications when the weather permitted. WASHINGTON: Snowy days gave way to warmer conditions and melting snow in much of Washington. Fields in Western Washington started to dry out and field work started. Most fall planted crops around the Puget Sound survived the winter in good condition while spring crops had not yet been planted. Grass was green and growing. Vegetable growers were tilling fields and getting ready for spring planting. The warm weather was favorable for lambs and calves. Livestock were still on stored feed and soil temperatures were low on the Peninsula. Southwestern Washington was unseasonably warm and dry. Many ditches and wet spots dried out. There were three field fires in Lewis County and another three field fires in Grays Harbor County. Several apiaries in Cowlitz, Clark, and Skamania Counties reported colony collapse up to 70% of total hives. Fall planted triticale was in good condition. Raspberries in Whatcom County had some crop damage due to freezing temperatures in February, but the extent of damage was unknown until warmer temperatures occur. Greenhouse starts and tulips were the first crops for farmers market in Jefferson County. Most CSA operations started seed flats and hardy early spring vegetables were planted in high-tunnels. Skagit County was extraordinarily warm and dry. Propagation houses in Snohomish County were crammed with starts waiting for suitable field conditions to transplant. Most pastures in the county recovered from the heavy snow cover. Warmer temperatures in Benton and Franklin Counties led to quick snow melts. Early vegetable plantings were delayed one month. Cropland in Chelan and Douglas Counties was still under snow. Calving continued, however several losses were reported due to harsh weather conditions. Most of the winter wheat was under snow cover, but some green wheat was seen around field edges. The eastern side of Klickitat County was dry while Klickitat Valley had snow. Pastures were not ready, leading ranchers to forage for more hay. There were localized floods in Yakima County, but no crops were impacted. Pruning and tree training activities were underway. Temperatures in Stevens County fluctuated between 60 degree days and freezing nights after a cold March. Snow melted throughout northeastern Washington, while wheat and fall grain crops emerged through the remaining snow cover. There were reports of winter kill due to temperature variations and loss of snow cover on hilltops. Calving issues were also reported due to the two winter storms in February. Winter wheat in Adams County was in good condition with limited damage. The Palouse was wet, and snow still covered the ground. WEST VIRGINIA: For the week ending March 24, topsoil moisture 1% short, 80% adequate and 19%

surplus. Subsoil moisture 2% short, 80% adequate, and 18% surplus. Hay and roughage supplies 16% very short, 36% short, 44% adequate, and 4% surplus. Feed grain supplies 1% very short, 3% short, 93% adequate, and 3% surplus. Winter wheat condition 1% very poor, 16% poor, 47% fair, and 36% good. Pasture condition 12% very poor, 31% poor, 29% fair, 27% good, and 1% excellent. Cattle and calves condition 2% very poor, 14% poor, 35% fair, 44% good, and 5% excellent. Calving was 66% complete. Sheep and lambs condition 1% very poor, 6% poor, 53% fair, 35% good, and 5% excellent. Lambing was 70% complete. Weather conditions for the month were a mix of colder and warmer temperatures with snow and rain. Some producers are short on hay and pastures are muddy. Farming activities for the month included calving and lambing; cow and calf deaths have been reported. WISCONSIN: March temperatures to date at the five major weather stations were all below normal. They ranged from 2.5 degrees below normal in Green Bay to 8.2 degrees below normal in Eau Claire. Average highs ranged from 38.6 degrees in Milwaukee to 32.5 degrees in Eau Claire, while average lows ranged from 10.7 degrees in Eau Claire to 23.6 degrees in Milwaukee. Precipitation ranged from 0.88 inches in Madison to 1.86 inches in Eau Claire. The entire State experienced a cold snap on March 3rd, 4th, and 5th, with record low temperatures in many areas. Snow melt and additional precipitation led to reports of flooding and standing water. Farmers have begun applying manure and fertilizer as field conditions allow. Some reporters expressed concern about possible weather damage to winter wheat and alfalfa, while many felt it was too early to determine the condition of those crops. Maple trees have been tapped, and the sap is running. Calving was reported in Southern Wisconsin. WYOMING: This report is for the entire month of March 2019. Topsoil moisture 11% short, 69% adequate, 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture 19% short, 70% adequate, 11 percent surplus. Barley planted 2%, 2018 1%. Winter wheat condition 3% very poor, 16% poor, 25% fair, 52% good, 4% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 15% very short, 22% short, 62% adequate, 1% surplus. Livestock condition 3 percent very poor, 4% poor, 27% fair, 64% good, 2% excellent. Stock water supplies 11% short, 69% adequate, 20% surplus. Pasture and range condition 1% very poor, 10% poor, 53% fair, 36% good. Cows calved 24% compared to 21% in 2018. Ewes lambed 18% compared to 17% in 2018. Sheep shorn 29% compared with 30% in 2018. Winter wheat condition is mostly good to fair and pasture and range is rated mostly fair to good. Temperatures were below normal for most of the State and moisture levels have improved from last year.


For additional information contact: [email protected]

International Weather and Crop Summary

March 17-23, 2019 International Weather and Crop Highlights and Summaries provided by USDA/WAOB

HIGHLIGHTS

EUROPE: Drought concerns intensified on the Iberian Peninsula, while widespread showers favored greening to vegetative winter crops in northern portions of the continent. WESTERN FSU: Warmer-than-normal weather promoted winter wheat green up in southern portions of the region. MIDDLE EAST: Rain and mountain snow continued over central and eastern portion of the region, maintaining abundant to excessive moisture supplies for winter grains. NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Intensifying drought in western portions of the region contrasted with timely, beneficial rain in eastern growing areas. EASTERN ASIA: Unseasonable warmth in China promoted development of rapeseed, wheat, and spring-sown rice, while showers in the southeast maintained abundant to excessive soil moisture for crops.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Continued late-season showers in Indonesia aided establishment of spring-sown rice, while showers in the southern Philippines eased drought conditions. AUSTRALIA: Additional showers were welcome in the east, but much more rain is needed to end the long-term drought. SOUTH AFRICA: Warmth and dryness returned to much of the corn belt, reducing moisture for immature summer crops. ARGENTINA: Mild, sunny weather benefited immature corn and soybeans in central Argentina. BRAZIL: Widespread showers maintained overall favorable conditions for second-crop corn, cotton, and other major crops.

Showers (N Europe)

Rain

Southern Warmth

(Western FSU)

Showers for Spring Rice (Indonesia)

Winter Crops Greening

Warmer & Drier

Mild (Argentina)

Rain (E Australia)

Rain

Drought (West)

Drought



Light showers in the north contrasted with intensifying dryness and drought in southern portions of the region. Dry albeit cool weather (up to 2°C below normal) prevailed across Spain, increasing drought concerns for vegetative winter wheat and barley. Precipitation over most of the Iberian Peninsula has totaled a meager 10 to 25 percent of normal over the past 90 days, with marginally higher amounts (50-70 percent of normal) in the northwest. Winter grains typically enter reproduction in late March and early April in northern Spain, a

bit sooner in the south; moisture will be needed soon to prevent significant yield declines. Dryness has also intensified from Italy into Hungary and the southern Balkans, with many of these same crop areas still showing impacts from autumn drought and resultant poor winter crop establishment. Meanwhile, a series of fast-moving storms generated periodic showers totaling 2 to 15 mm over central and northern Europe, maintaining adequate moisture supplies for greening (east) to vegetative (west) wheat and rapeseed.

EUROPE



A continuation of warmer-than-normal weather promoted winter wheat green up in the south and eased winter crops out of dormancy in more northerly snow-free areas. Temperatures during the 7-day monitoring period averaged 2 to 7°C above normal, encouraging wheat green up from Moldova and southern Ukraine into southwestern Russia. Farther north, snow remained on the ground from the Central District and northern-most portions of the

Southern District into the Volga District. In northern areas where snow has melted, another week of warmer-than-normal weather eased wheat slowly out of dormancy. Winter wheat prospects are currently favorable across the region due to a wet fall and winter, though developing short-term dryness over southeastern Ukraine (30-day rainfall less than 50 percent of normal) will need to be closely monitored over the ensuing weeks.

WESTERN FSU



A slow-moving storm produced heavy precipitation in central and eastern portions of the region, while dry weather settled over Turkey. Sunny and warmer-than-normal weather (up to 5°C above normal) in Turkey promoted seasonal fieldwork and winter grain green up. In contrast, a storm system drifted east from the eastern Mediterranean, producing another round of moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow (10-100 mm

liquid equivalent, locally more) from Syria into Iran. Season-to-date precipitation for winter crops (since September 1) has been above normal over most major winter grain areas, and current yield prospects for vegetative wheat and barley are excellent. In particular, satellite-derived vegetation health data indicated record to near-record crop vigor in Iraq and neighboring environs.

MIDDLE EAST



Severe drought in the west contrasted with favorable conditions in the east. Intensifying drought in Morocco and neighboring portions of Algeria further lowered yield prospects for reproductive winter wheat and barley; satellite-derived vegetation health data indicated widespread moderate to severe impacts, particularly in

central and western portions of Morocco. Meanwhile, a slow-moving storm system triggered moderate to heavy rain (25-100 mm, locally more) from north-central Algeria into northern Tunisia, ending concerns over recent dryness and boosting already favorable yield prospects for wheat and barley approaching reproduction.

NORTHWESTERN AFRICA



Showers (25-100 mm) returned to southeastern China, saturating soils for reproductive rapeseed and renewing concerns over reduced yield prospects. In contrast, the persistent wet weather maintained favorable water levels and boosted irrigation reserves for spring (early-crop) rice; in some

southeastern provinces, year-to-date rainfall totals have been the highest in 30 years. Meanwhile, unusually warm weather (3-7°C above normal) throughout the east and southeast accelerated development of crops including vegetative wheat on the North China Plain.

EASTERN ASIA



Late-season showers (25-100 mm) continued across portions of Indonesia, maintaining good soil moisture for oil palm and aiding establishment of spring-sown rice. In addition, increased shower activity in key oil palm areas of eastern Malaysia (Sabah) provided a long-awaited boost to soil moisture, although rainfall was largely absent in western

production areas. Long-term dryness (90-day rainfall totals 50 percent below average) continued to be an issue across Malaysia, even where recent rainfall occurred. Meanwhile, increased rainfall in the southern Philippines (25-100 mm, locally more in the southeast) boosted soil moisture for spring-sown corn and rice while easing long-term moisture deficits.

SOUTHEAST ASIA



For the second consecutive week, scattered showers (5-25 mm) overspread southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. The showers may have slowed local summer crop drydown and harvesting. Overall, however, the rain was generally welcome, bringing some much-needed drought relief to the region while providing a bit of a boost in topsoil moisture in advance of winter wheat

planting. Although the rain was beneficial, much more rain is needed to end the long-term drought in eastern Australia. Warmer-than-normal weather (temperatures averaging 2-4°C above normal) persisted in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, hastening summer crop maturation but maintaining greater-than-normal evaporation rates.

AUSTRALIA



Following last week’s beneficial rain, warmer- and drier-than-normal weather dominated the corn belt for much of the week. Aside from occasional showers (rainfall totaling 10-35 mm) from southern North West to western Mpumalanga, little to no rain fell over large sections of the region, with daytime highs ranging from the upper 20s to middle 30s (degrees C) each day. In contrast, heavier rain

(25-100 mm) fell from eastern Mpumalanga southward through KwaZulu-Natal, providing a boost in moisture for sugarcane and other regional crops. Elsewhere, warm, sunny weather (daytime highs reaching the middle and upper 30s locally) dominated the Cape Provinces, spurring rapid development of corn, cotton, and other maturing summer crops primarily grown under irrigation.

SOUTH AFRICA



Drier conditions returned to Argentina’s southwestern agricultural areas after a brief period of favorable rainfall. Amounts totaled less than 10 mm over most locations in La Pampa, southwestern Buenos Aires, and neighboring parts of Cordoba. Dry weather also continued for a second week in eastern Cordoba and southwestern Santa Fe, with 10 to 25 mm of rain falling elsewhere in central Argentina (notably Entre Rios, western Cordoba, and the remainder of Buenos Aires). Moderate to heavy rain (10-25 mm or more) swept across northern Argentina, though a few pockets of dryness lingered in the vicinity of eastern Chaco. While coming too late for maturing summer crops, the continuation of seasonal

rain will ultimately benefit winter grains. Weekly temperatures averaged 1 to 3°C below normal throughout Argentina’s major agricultural areas, although daytime highs briefly reached the upper 20s and lower 30s (degrees C) at week’s end after several days of dryness. Low temperatures dropped below 5°C in traditionally cooler southern farming areas (notably La Pampa and Buenos Aires) but no freeze was recorded. According to the government of Argentina, summer crop planting advanced in many locations as weather permitted: sunflowers were 56 percent harvested as of March 21 as activity increased in southern farming areas, and corn was 10 percent harvested.

ARGENTINA



Widespread, locally heavy showers maintained overall favorable conditions for immature row crops throughout most major production areas of southern and central Brazil. Most areas received 25 to 100 mm, including eastern areas that were mostly dry the previous week (eastern Minas Gerais northward to Maranhao). The continuation of seasonal rainfall sustained favorable levels of moisture for immature crops, notably second-crop corn, cotton, and specialty crops including sugarcane and coffee; meanwhile, the impact on seasonal fieldwork was likely minimal. According to the government of Parana, soybeans and first-crop corn were 72 and 66 percent

harvested, respectively, as of March 18; second-crop corn planting was nearing completion at 94 percent. In Rio Grande do Sul, government reporting depicts soybean harvesting at 18 percent complete as of March 21, compared with 25 percent last year and 17 percent on average. Weekly temperatures continued to be near to slightly below normal in southern Brazil and up to 4°C above normal farther north, with daytime highs reaching the middle 30s (degrees C) in Mato Grosso, neighboring locations in Tocantins, and from northern Minas Gerais to the northeastern coastTocantins, and from Sao Paulo northeastward through Bahia.

BRAZIL

https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/spring-outlook-historic-widespread-flooding-to-continue-through-may

The Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (ISSN 0043-1974) is jointly prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Publication began in 1872 as the Weekly Weather Chronicle. It is issued under general authority of the Act of January 12, 1895 (44-USC 213), 53rd Congress, 3rd Session. The contents may be redistributed freely with proper credit. Correspondence to the meteorologists should be directed to: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, NOAA/USDA, Joint Agricultural Weather Facility, USDA South Building, Room 4443B, Washington, DC 20250. Internet URL: http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather E-mail address: [email protected] The Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin and archives are maintained on the following USDA Internet URL: http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather/pubs/Weekly/Wwcb/index.htm

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE World Agricultural Outlook Board Managing Editor.......................... Brad Rippey (202) 720-2397 Production Editor........................ Brian Morris (202) 720-3062 International Editor.................. Mark Brusberg (202) 720-2012 Agricultural Weather Analysts......................... Harlan Shannon

and Eric Luebehusen National Agricultural Statistics Service Agricultural Statistician and State Summaries Editor…..…..……. Jannety Mosley (202) 720-7621

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