Volume 105, No. 17 http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather April 24, 2018 (Continued on page 5) Contents Crop Moisture Maps ....................................................... 2 April 17 Drought Monitor & U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook ................................ 3 Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps ....... 4 Temperature Departure Map .......................................... 5 California Reservoir Update ........................................ 6 Growing Degree Day Maps ............................................ 7 National Weather Data for Selected Cities ..................... 9 National Agricultural Summary ..................................... 12 Crop Progress and Condition Tables ........................... 13 International Weather and Crop Summary ................... 18 Bulletin Information & Soil Temperature Map ............... 30 WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN he southern High Plains’ second wildfire outbreak in less than a week preceded the arrival of storm system that provided much-needed, but generally light, rainfall. The fires peaked in intensity on April 17, when southwesterly winds fanned flames amid soaring temperatures, but continued into the following day when winds shifted (to a northwesterly direction). Later, beneficial rain spread across the central and southern Plains, starting on April 20. However, rainfall in the most severely drought-affected areas totaled mostly an inch or less. Earlier, T 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 April 15 – 21, 2018 Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB
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weather WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN...2018/04/24 · record-setting rainfall totals for April 21 included 1.45 inches in Oklahoma City, OK, and 1.16 inches in Wichita, KS. Amarillo,
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Volume 105, No. 17 http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather April 24, 2018
(Continued on page 5)
Contents
Crop Moisture Maps ....................................................... 2 April 17 Drought Monitor & U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook ................................ 3 Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps ....... 4 Temperature Departure Map .......................................... 5 California Reservoir Update ........................................ 6 Growing Degree Day Maps ............................................ 7 National Weather Data for Selected Cities ..................... 9 National Agricultural Summary ..................................... 12 Crop Progress and Condition Tables ........................... 13 International Weather and Crop Summary ................... 18 Bulletin Information & Soil Temperature Map ............... 30
WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN
he southern High Plains’ second wildfire outbreak in less than a week preceded the arrival of storm system
that provided much-needed, but generally light, rainfall. The fires peaked in intensity on April 17, when southwesterly winds fanned flames amid soaring temperatures, but continued into the following day when winds shifted (to a northwesterly direction). Later, beneficial rain spread across the central and southern Plains, starting on April 20. However, rainfall in the most severely drought-affected areas totaled mostly an inch or less. Earlier,
T
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 April 15 – 21, 2018 Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB
2 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 3
SL
S
SL
SL
SL
SL
L
L
SL
SLS
SL
SL
S
S
The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements.
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
U.S. Department of Agriculture
4 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 5 (Continued from front cover) heavy precipitation had fallen in the eastern U.S.—the tail end of a storm system that had produced historic, mid-April snowfall from South Dakota and environs into the Great Lakes region. A subsequent but smaller storm followed a similar path across the Midwest and Northeast, delivering some additional snow. Meanwhile, dry weather in the Southwest contrasted with Northwestern rain and snow showers, which briefly reached as far south as the Sierra Nevada and the central Rockies. Elsewhere, unusually cool weather remained in place for much of the week from the Plains to the East Coast, while temperatures were closer to normal across the West. Weekly temperatures averaged at least 10°F below normal in the upper Midwest, while freezes occurred on April 15-16 as far south as portions of the southern Plains and mid-South. April 1-15 temperatures were the lowest on record, and more than 15°F below normal, in Iowa locations such as Mason City (average temperature of 27.6°F) and Waterloo (30.6°F). The cold weather extended well beyond Iowa, as the week opened on April 15 with a round of daily-record lows in Plains locations such as Valentine, NE (9°F), and Garden City, KS (14°F). The following day, record-setting lows for April 16 included 6°F in Kennebec, SD; 14°F in Hill City, KS; and 32°F in El Dorado, AR. El Dorado tied April 16, 2014, for its latest freeze on record. Farther north, Rochester, MN, failed to exceed the freezing mark on 3 consecutive days from April 14-16, peaking at 32, 25, and 30°F. On April 17, Muskegon, MI, observed its latest-ever maximum temperature below the 35-degree mark, with a high of 34°F. Cold weather persisted for much of the week in the Midwest, where South Bend, IN, posted consecutive daily-record lows (23 and 20°F, respectively) on April 17-18. Other record-setting lows for April 17 included 27°F in Lincoln, IL, and Crossville, TN. Meanwhile, sudden heat arrived on the central and southern High Plains. For example, Dodge City, KS, notched consecutive daily-record lows (19 and 23°F, respectively) on April 15-16, followed by a daily-record high of 94°F on April 17. Dodge City also clocked a wind gust to 66 mph on the 17th, shortly after the passage of a strong cold front ended the short-lived hot spell. By April 19, daily-record lows were observed in Kansas locations such as Russell (26°F) and Wichita (31°F). (Russell and Wichita had also reported daily-record lows on April 16—with 18 and 21°F, respectively.) Late in the week, chilly weather lingered in the Midwest and Northeast. Daily-record lows for April 20 dipped to 17°F in Mason City, IA, and 24°F in Moline, IL. The following day, Northeastern record-setting lows for April 21 fell to 22°F in Watertown, NY, and 28°F in Allentown, PA. As the week began, an historic, late-season snow storm began to wind down across the Great Lakes region. In Wisconsin from April 13-16, the greatest April snowfall on record featured 24.2 inches in Green Bay; 20.7 inches in Wausau; and 18.2 inches in Rhinelander. Marquette, MI, received 26.7 inches from April 15-17. Farther east, heavy rain resulted in daily-record totals for April 15 in numerous locations, including Raleigh-Durham, NC (3.31 inches); Columbus, OH (2.06 inches); and 1.88 inches in Bluefield, WV. Downpours persisted in the Northeast through April 16, when record-setting totals
reached 2.99 inches in Newark, NJ, and 2.50 inches at New York’s JFK Airport. Early-week precipitation also affected parts of the West, resulting in daily-record totals in locations such as North Bend, OR (1.83 inches on April 15), and Eureka, NV (0.40 inch on April 16). By April 18, heavy snow returned to a small area of the upper Midwest, where daily-record totals included 7.5 inches in Mason City, IA; 6.2 inches in Sioux Falls, SD; and 6.0 inches in La Crosse, WI. Mason City set an April snowfall record with 25.5 inches, easily surpassing its former mark of 14.5 inches in 1945. Similarly, April snowfall records were broken in Wisconsin locations such as Green Bay (36.7 inches; previously, 15.1 inches in 1907) and Wausau (34.5 inches; previously, 25.5 inches in 1909). Later, desperately needed precipitation fell on April 20-21 across the southern High Plains. Clayton, NM, netted a daily-record rainfall (0.88 inch) on April 20. The following day, record-setting rainfall totals for April 21 included 1.45 inches in Oklahoma City, OK, and 1.16 inches in Wichita, KS. Amarillo, TX, received 0.49 inch on April 20-21, boosting its year-to-date total to 0.74 inch (21 percent of normal). Prior to the rain’s arrival, Oklahoma’s two largest active wildfires—the Rhea Fire and the 34 Complex—charred approximately 350,000 acres of grass and brush. Although much of the Alaskan mainland experienced dry weather, many southern and western locations received precipitation. In fact, some of the heaviest precipitation fell in southeastern Alaska, where Annette Island received 2.65 inches on April 19-20. Through April 21, Annette Island’s month-to-date rainfall climbed to 5.20 inches (104 percent of normal). Meanwhile, chilly weather in east-central Alaska contrasted with mild conditions (at least 10°F above normal) across the state’s western tier. St. Paul Island posted a daily-record high of 43°F on April 15. Farther south, phenomenally heavy rain fell in windward sections of Kauai from April 13-15, when 48-hour totals reached 32.35 inches in Wainiha and 28.41 inches in Hanalei. In contrast, leeward locations, such as Honolulu, Oahu, and Kahului, Maui, received little or no rain during the week. Overall, however, Hawaii remained in a wet pattern, with April 1-21 rainfall totaling at least three times normal in locations such as Kahului (4.17 inches, or 339 percent of normal) and Lihue (5.42 inches, or 319 percent).
6 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
1‐Jan
1‐Feb
1‐M
ar
1‐Apr
1‐M
ay
1‐Jun
1‐Jul
1‐Aug
1‐Sep
1‐O
ct
1‐Nov
1‐Dec
California Reservoir Storage, Percent of Normal, 1977 and 2010‐18
Source: California Department of Water Resources
2011
2010
2012
2013
1977
20142015
2016
2017
2018
California Reservoirs, Recharge and WithdrawalMillion Acre‐Feet and Percent of Average
Recharge Withdrawal
2010‐11 12.47 (158%) 2011 8.78 (111%)
2011‐12 5.79 (73%) 2012 11.54 (146%)
2012‐13 6.52 (83%) 2013 11.49 (145%)
2013‐14 4.17 (53%) 2014 7.75 (98%)
2014‐15 6.46 (82%) 2015 7.12 (90%)
2015‐16 14.67 (186%) 2016 7.87 (100%)
2016‐17 15.00 (190%) 2017 9.30 (118%)
2017‐18 4.84 2018 N/A
Avg. 7.90 Avg. 7.90
Notes: Recharge and withdrawal values are based on end‐of‐month statistics,not daily readings. Recharge data for 2017‐18 is valid through March 31.
12 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
National Agricultural Summary April 16 – 22, 2018
Weekly National Agricultural Summary provided by USDA/NASS
HIGHLIGHTS
The majority of the nation was colder than average during the week ending April 22. Weekly average temperatures were 35°F or below from the Great Lakes region to New England. Along the Iowa-Minnesota border, average temperatures were below 30°F, which was more than 15°F below normal. Temperatures were above average
in parts of the Rockies, but no area was more than 5°F above normal. Rain and snow fell in the Atlantic Coast States, with the heaviest precipitation occurring in West Virginia and along the New England coast. Some rain fell in Oklahoma and northern Texas, but drought persisted there and in the Southwest.
Corn: By April 22, producers had planted 5 percent of the nation’s corn crop, 10 percentage points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. All states were at or behind their 5-year average except Texas, which had planted 65 percent—6 percentage points ahead of average. Soybean: By week’s end, 2 percent of the nation’s soybean crop was planted, 3 percentage points behind last year but equal to the 5-year average. Mississippi was the most advanced in progress, with 30 percent of the intended 2018 crop planted. Winter Wheat: By April 22, thirteen percent of the nation’s winter wheat had headed, 17 percentage points behind last year and 6 points behind the 5-year average. On April 22, thirty-one percent of the 2018 winter wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but 23 percentage points below last year. In Kansas, the largest winter wheat-producing state, 12 percent of the winter wheat crop was rated in good to excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week. In Texas, where the northern portion of the state has been in a winter-long drought, 14 percent of the winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent, an increase of 1 percentage point from the previous week. Cotton: Nationwide, 9 percent of the cotton crop had been planted by week’s end, 2 percentage points behind last year and 1 point behind the 5-year average. Sorghum: Twenty-four percent of the nation’s sorghum was planted by April 22, equal to the previous year but 1 percentage point ahead of the 5-year average. Texas had planted 78 percent of its intended sorghum acreage by week’s end, 14 percentage points ahead of last year and 21 points ahead of the 5-year average. Rice: By week’s end, producers had seeded 49 percent of the 2018 rice crop, eighteen percentage points behind the previous year but 3 points ahead of the 5-year average. Producers in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri planted more than 20
percent of their rice acreage during the week. By April 22, twenty-one percent of the nation’s rice acreage had emerged, 21 percentage points behind last year and six percentage points behind the 5-year average. Small Grains: Nationally, oat producers had seeded 31 percent of this year’s crop by April 22, twenty-four percentage points behind both the previous year and the 5-year average. Oat planting progress was behind the 5-year average in all estimating states except Texas, which had already completed seeding by the beginning of April. Twenty-six percent of the nation’s oat crop had emerged by April 22, ten percentage points behind the previous year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Eleven percent of the nation’s barley was planted by week’s end, 14 percentage points behind last year and 22 points behind the 5-year average. Planting progress was behind the historical pace in all estimating states. Washington was the furthest behind with only 14 percent planted by week’s end, compared to the 5-year average of 49 percent. By April 22, two percent of the nation’s barley crop had emerged, 4 percentage points behind last year and 6 points behind the 5-year average. By April 22, three percent of the spring wheat crop was seeded, 18 percentage points behind last year and 22 points behind the 5-year average. Spring wheat planting progress was behind the 5-year average pace in all 6 estimating states, and planting had not yet begun across much of the northern Plains. Other Crops: Nationally, peanut producers had planted 3 percent of this year’s peanut crop by week’s end, equal to both last year and the 5-year average. Planting was most advanced in Florida, at 12 percent complete, 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By week’s end, 12 percent of the sugarbeet crop was planted, 22 percentage points behind last year and 25 percentage points behind the 5-year average.
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 13
Crop Progress and Condition Week Ending April 22, 2018
Weekly U.S. Progress and Condition Data provided by USDA/NASS
Year Week 2018 Avg Year Week 2018 Avg ID 45 24 40 64
AR 82 27 53 48 AR 47 3 11 22 MN 13 0 0 25
CA 0 0 0 5 CA 0 0 0 1 MT 22 0 0 24
LA 88 87 90 83 LA 78 66 73 67 ND 9 0 0 13
MS 73 18 40 38 MS 40 5 10 20 SD 72 1 2 50
MO 61 11 35 39 MO 15 0 0 12 WA 35 37 39 67
TX 69 70 74 75 TX 58 55 62 60 6 Sts 21 3 3 25
6 Sts 67 32 49 46 6 Sts 42 15 21 27 These 6 States planted 99%
These 6 States planted 100% These 6 States planted 100% of last year's spring wheat acreage.
of last year's rice acreage. of last year's rice acreage.
Prev Prev Apr 22 5-Yr Prev Prev Apr 22 5-Yr
Year Week 2018 Avg Year Week 2018 Avg
ID 55 29 44 66 ID 24 NA 8 27
MN 7 0 0 17 MN 1 NA 0 2
MT 27 0 0 34 MT 2 NA 0 4
ND 5 0 0 9 ND 0 NA 0 1
WA 11 10 14 49 WA 1 NA 1 16
5 Sts 25 7 11 33 5 Sts 6 NA 2 8
These 5 States planted 80% These 5 States planted 80%
of last year's barley acreage. of last year's barley acreage.
Barley Percent Planted Barley Percent Emerged
Oats Percent Planted Oats Percent Emerged
Rice Percent Planted Rice Percent Emerged
Peanuts Percent Planted
Spring Wheat Percent Planted
VP - Very Poor; P - Poor; F - Fair; G - Good; EX - Excellent
NA - Not Available; *Revised
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 15
Crop Progress and Condition Week Ending April 22, 2018
Weekly U.S. Progress and Condition Data provided by USDA/NASS
7
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6.8
1.8
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5.4
5.4
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16 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
Crop Progress and Condition Week Ending April 22, 2018
Weekly U.S. Progress and Condition Data provided by USDA/NASS
2[0]
10[0]
0[0]
42[+2]
1[0]
4[+1]
10[-5]
0[0]
4[0]
11[-7]
7[-8]
3[0]
1[0]
6[-1]
43[-1]
8[+2]
8[-4]
11[-1]
21[-12]
17[+8]
16[-6]
24[+7]
35[-2]
3[0]
31[+8]
15[-8]
53[+4]
49[-9]
17[-1]
17[-15]
46[+5]
49[-3]
54[+3]
9[+4]
23[-16]
3[-3]
24[-10]
35[-14]
39[-11]
21[-33]
20[-8]
23[-1]
29[+4]
47[+18]
42[+18]
85[-10]
49[+1]
Topsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)
United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture
Data obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progressreports. These reports are available through http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/.
Topsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)
United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture
Percent Short to Very ShortWeek Ending - April 22, 2018
Data obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progressreports. These reports are available through http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/.
Top ## - Percent Short to Very Short
[Bottom ##] - Change from Last WeekShort to Very Short
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 17
Crop Progress and Condition Week Ending April 22, 2018
Weekly U.S. Progress and Condition Data provided by USDA/NASS
2[0]
10[0]
0[0]
5[0]
23[+3]
4[+1]
23[0]
1[+1]
6[-5]
7[+1]
2[0]
2[0]
7[0]
7[0]
1[+1]
16[-6]
1[+1]
1[-1]
4[+2]
11[0]
6[+4]
11[-8]
44[0]
16[+5]
27[-2]
24[+5]
15[-4]
47[+6]
45[-5]
18[+3]
10[0]
49[-3]
33[-9]
3[+2]
1[-1]
23[-12]
5[-1]
32[-10]
35[-10]
11[-34]
0[0]
14[+3]
32[+8]
42[+21]
100[0]
33[+13]
57[+7]
45[+45]
Subsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)
United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture
Data obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progressreports. These reports are available through http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/.
Subsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)
United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture
Percent Short to Very ShortWeek Ending - April 22, 2018
Data obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progressreports. These reports are available through http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/.
Top ## - Percent Short to Very Short
[Bottom ##] - Change from Last WeekShort to Very Short
April 15-21, 2018 International Weather and Crop Highlights and Summaries provided by USDA/WAOB
HIGHLIGHTS
EUROPE: Increasingly warm weather eased or erased lingering crop developmental delays over much of northern and eastern Europe. WESTERN FSU: Warm, mostly sunny weather promoted wheat development in key southern crop areas. MIDDLE EAST: Above-normal temperatures maintained a faster-than-normal crop development pace in western and central portions of the region. NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Sunny, mild weather benefited wheat and barley development in the west, while showers maintained good crop conditions in Tunisia. EASTERN ASIA: Unseasonably warm weather continued to advance development of winter crops and increase water demands.
SOUTHEAST ASIA: Early-season showers in Indochina provided a beneficial boost to soil moisture and irrigation supplies, as preparations continued for summer (wet-season) rice sowing. AUSTRALIA: In the northeast, scattered showers likely slowed local summer crop harvesting but may have triggered early winter wheat planting. SOUTH AFRICA: Warm, sunny weather favored corn and other filling to maturing summer crops. ARGENTINA: Heavy showers lingered over central Argentina, slowing fieldwork while increasing moisture for the upcoming winter grain season. BRAZIL: Showers continued over corn and cotton areas of west-central Brazil, but drier weather prevailed elsewhere. MEXICO: Dry weather dominated the region, limiting opportunities for planting summer crops.
Heavy Rain
Much Warmer (Europe)
Warm & Sunny
Scattered Showers
(NE Australia)
Locally Heavy Showers
(C Argentina)
Warm
Sunny & Mild
Warm
Early-Season Showers
(Indochina)
Warm & Sunny (Western FSU)
Drier (Mexico)
Drier (S Brazil)
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 19
Mostly sunny, increasingly warm weather eased or eliminated lingering crop developmental delays. Despite mostly dry conditions during the period, a wet winter and early spring boosted soil moisture reserves for winter crop development over many primary growing areas. However, short-term precipitation deficits (25-50 percent-of-normal rainfall over the past 60 days) have developed from southern Germany into southern and central Poland. With little — if any — rainfall (less than 5 mm) reported in these dry locales over the past week, rain will be needed soon to maintain the current favorable crop prospects. More noteworthy, increasingly warm weather (5-10°C above normal) over much of the
continent accelerated the development of winter grains and oilseeds after a cold March. Crop delays for winter wheat, barley, and rapeseed were now confined to Spain, France, and southeastern England (up to 7 days behind average); the previous protracted delays over eastern Europe have been erased by recent warmth. In Spain, where winter grains are reproductive to filling, this week’s sunny weather provided a welcome respite from recent excessive wetness before late-week showers (1-20 mm) returned. Winter grain producers on the Iberian Peninsula would likely welcome an extended respite from clouds and wetness as wheat and barley enter or progress through the filling stage of development.
EUROPE
20 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
Mild weather promoted winter wheat development after a protracted early-spring cold spell, though northern crop stages are still behind average. Temperatures during the 7-day period averaged 3 to 8°C above normal across the western half of the region, virtually eliminating lingering developmental delays from southern and western Ukraine into Belarus. Conditions
were not as warm (up to 2°C above normal) in west-central and southern Russia; winter wheat developmental delays range from nearly two weeks in northern portions of the Southern District and environs to near normal closer to the Black Sea Coast. Current prospects for winter wheat at this early juncture are good to excellent across the entire region.
WESTERN FSU
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 21
Persistent warmth in the west contrasted with cooler conditions in eastern growing areas. Temperatures across the western half of the region averaged 2 to 7°C above normal, maintaining the season-long accelerated pace of development for winter wheat and barley. Crops are developing two to four weeks ahead of average from Turkey into the eastern Mediterranean region, with wheat ranging from reproductive in central Turkey to the
filling stage in warmer locales from Syria into Israel and Jordan. In eastern growing areas, increasing clouds and widespread showers (2-20 mm, locally more) from Iraq (per satellite rainfall estimates) into Iran improved soil moisture supplies and brought beneficially cooler weather (2-6°C below normal) for winter grains approaching or progressing through the reproductive stages of development.
MIDDLE EAST
22 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
Conditions remained excellent for winter grains across the entire region. In Morocco — where heavy rain earlier in the spring boosted soil moisture supplies — mostly sunny, mild weather (1-2°C above normal) maintained nearly-ideal conditions for winter grains in the latter stages of reproduction
or progressing through grain fill. Likewise, sunny skies benefited reproductive to filling wheat and barley in western Algeria. Light to moderate showers (2-25 mm) in northeastern Algeria and northern Tunisia provided timely supplemental soil moisture for heading to flowering wheat and filling barley.
NORTHWESTERN AFRICA
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 23
Unseasonably warm weather continued across most of China, with temperatures averaging as much as 5°C above normal in key crop areas. The warmth advanced development of reproductive wheat and rapeseed in the east while also increasing water demands. Heavy showers (over 25 mm) in northern portions of the North China Plain provided good moisture to wheat, but other wheat
and rapeseed areas received little rainfall (less than 10 mm). Similarly low amounts were reported in southeastern rice areas as well. Many southern provinces are experiencing spring dryness and would welcome more seasonable rainfall to bolster irrigation supplies. Meanwhile in western China, temperatures supported cotton planting only in the southern interior of Xinjiang.
EASTERN ASIA
24 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
Pre-monsoon showers (25-100 mm) across northern Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam boosted soil moisture and irrigation supplies as fieldwork preparations were underway in advance of summer (wet-season) rice sowing; the wet season typically begins in early May across Indochina. In the Philippines, drier weather in the north aided fieldwork prior to the onset of seasonal
rainfall next month, while heavy showers (over 50 mm) in more southerly regions maintained good moisture supplies in key corn areas. Meanwhile, widespread late-season showers in Indonesia and Malaysia maintained good soil moisture for rice and oil palm. The rainfall was particularly welcomed for oil palm in western Malaysia where spring dryness has been prevalent.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 25
Scattered showers (5-25 mm, locally more) in central and southern Queensland and northern New South Wales likely slowed local cotton and sorghum harvesting, but helped moisten the topsoil in advance of wheat and other winter crop planting. The rain may have triggered some sowing, with the most likely location being in central Queensland. Elsewhere in the Australia wheat belt,
isolated showers favored fieldwork but provided little additional moisture in advance of winter crop sowing. The majority of the winter crop planting typically occurs during May and June in these areas. Temperatures in Western Australia averaged near normal, while in southern and eastern Australia temperatures averaged 2 to 3°C above normal.
AUSTRALIA
26 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
Mostly dry, seasonably warm weather fostered development of filling to maturing corn. Little to no rain (5 mm or less, most areas) fell across most commercial corn production areas (North West and Free State to Mpumalanga), although moderate showers (greater than 10 mm) developed at the edges of the main production areas. Weekly temperatures averaged near to above normal (daytime highs reaching the middle and upper 20s degrees C); nighttime lows fell below 10°C across much of the region but temperatures generally stayed well above freezing. Mostly dry weather also prevailed in
sugarcane areas of KwaZulu-Natal and eastern Mpumalanga, supporting harvesting. In the Cape Provinces, unseasonably heavy showers (greater than 10 mm) boosted irrigation reserves along the Orange River while in Western Cape, spotty showers (locally greater than 10 mm) brought localized drought relief but were insufficient for uniform germination of wheat. This is the final weekly summary of the season; coverage will resume in October 2018 upon commencement of summer crop planting.
SOUTH AFRICA
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 27
Unseasonably heavy rainfall lingered over central Argentina, slowing fieldwork but helping to replenish topsoil moisture for the upcoming winter grain season. Rainfall totaled 25 to 75 mm over high-yielding farming areas extending from eastern Cordoba to Entre Rios and eastern Buenos Aires. However, unseasonable warmth (weekly temperatures averaging 6°C above normal) accompanied the rainfall, with daytime highs reaching 30°C for at least one day at most locations prior to the
arrival of the rainfall. Warmer-than-normal weather (temperatures averaging 3-5°C above normal, with temperatures reaching the middle 30s degrees °C in spots) also dominated Argentina’s northern farming areas, spurring rapid development of late-planted corn and soybeans. According to reports emanating from Argentina, northern crops — and exceptionally late-planted central crops — could still benefit from rain but most unharvested crops were maturing.
ARGENTINA
28 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 24, 2018
Late-season showers maintained overall favorable conditions for corn and cotton in key production areas of central Brazil. Rainfall totaling 10 to 50 mm covered a broad area spanning Mato Grosso, Goias, and Mato Grosso do Sul, extending northeastward into Tocantins. Drier conditions prevailed in most other northeastern interior farming areas (Maranhao, Piaui, and western Bahia), where sunny, seasonably warm weather (daytime highs reaching the middle 30s degrees C in some areas) spurred development of cotton. Elsewhere, unseasonable dryness also prevailed from Minas Gerais
southward through Parana, reducing moisture for sugarcane, coffee, and second-crop corn. According to the government of Parana, just over 25 percent of the second corn crop had reached reproduction as of April 16 and was in mostly good condition; however, more rain was needed to ensure that current yield prospects are realized. Farther south, moderate to heavy rain (1-25 mm, locally higher) benefited immature summer crops in Rio Grande do Sul, where above-normal temperatures (daytime highs reaching the lower 30s) sustained a rapid rate of growth toward maturation.
BRAZIL
April 24, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 29
Following last week’s beneficial rain, drier weather prevailed in farming areas along the northern and central Gulf Coast. Similarly, virtually no rain fell across northern Mexico, southward through the southern plateau to the southern Pacific Coast. In northern Mexico, seasonable warmth (daytime highs reaching the lower and middle 30s degrees C) sustained rapid rates of growth of winter grains in the northwest (wheat and
corn) and the northeast (sorghum). Farther south, significant rain (greater than 25 mm) was generally confined to northern Chiapas and Campeche, otherwise dry weather prevailed. Corn planting typically begins in eastern sections of the southern plateau (in and around Puebla) in April upon the arrival of seasonal rainfall, with later planting in western growing areas (notably Jalisco).
MEXICO
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