Volume 107, No. 6 http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather February 11, 2020 (Continued on page 3) Contents Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps.............2 Temperature Departure Map ...............................................3 February 4 Drought Monitor & Snow Cover Map .................4 Daily Sierra Nevada Snowpack vs. Normal & February 5 Satellite Image of Eastern Pacific Ridge ....5 National Weather Data for Selected Cities ..........................6 January Weather and Crop Summary ..............................9 January Precipitation & Temperature Maps ..................13 January Weather Data for Selected Cities .....................16 International Weather and Crop Summary ........................17 Bulletin Information & U.S. Crop Production Highlights ..................................26 WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN acific moisture spilling across the Northwest and the northern and central Rockies sparked flooding in several areas, including northeastern Oregon and western Washington. In Oregon’s flood-affected areas, precipitation began as snow before changing to heavy rain. Farther east, a heavy-precipitation event unfolded across the Southeast on February 6-7. The rain, some of which fell on already saturated soils, triggered widespread flooding from the lower Mississippi Valley to the southern Atlantic coastal plain. Prior to the P 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 February 2 – 8, 2020 Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB
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weather WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN...February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 3 (Continued from front cover) Southeastern downpours, mid-week snow blanketed southern
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Volume 107, No. 6 http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather February 11, 2020
(Continued on page 3)
Contents
Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps ............. 2 Temperature Departure Map ............................................... 3 February 4 Drought Monitor & Snow Cover Map ................. 4 Daily Sierra Nevada Snowpack vs. Normal & February 5 Satellite Image of Eastern Pacific Ridge .... 5 National Weather Data for Selected Cities .......................... 6 January Weather and Crop Summary .............................. 9 January Precipitation & Temperature Maps .................. 13 January Weather Data for Selected Cities ..................... 16 International Weather and Crop Summary ........................ 17 Bulletin Information & U.S. Crop Production Highlights .................................. 26
WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN
acific moisture spilling across the Northwest and the northern and central Rockies sparked flooding in
several areas, including northeastern Oregon and western Washington. In Oregon’s flood-affected areas, precipitation began as snow before changing to heavy rain. Farther east, a heavy-precipitation event unfolded across the Southeast on February 6-7. The rain, some of which fell on already saturated soils, triggered widespread flooding from the lower Mississippi Valley to the southern Atlantic coastal plain. Prior to the
P
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 February 2 – 8, 2020
Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB
2 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin February 11, 2020
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 3 (Continued from front cover) Southeastern downpours, mid-week snow blanketed southern sections of the Rockies and Plains. Wintry precipitation, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain, later spread northeastward across the lower Great region and into the Northeast. Most other parts of the country, including California, the Desert Southwest, and the upper Great Lakes region, received little or no precipitation. At week’s end, however, a band of snow overspread parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Near- or above-normal temperatures prevailed across the eastern half of the U.S., but chilly conditions developed in many areas from the Pacific Coast to the High Plains. Weekly readings averaged as much as 10 to 15°F above normal in the mid-Atlantic—and were at least 5°F above normal across parts of the northern Plains and in most areas from the Mississippi River to the East Coast. Late in the week, however, a brief surge of cold air delivered sub-zero temperatures in the upper Midwest, extending as far south as northern Iowa. Elsewhere, early- to mid-week frost was noted in California’s San Joaquin Valley, with the coldest mornings generally occurring on February 4-5. Early-week temperatures briefly soared across the central and eastern U.S. in advance of a storm system plunging southeastward across West. On the Plains, record-setting high temperatures for February 2 climbed to the 80-degree mark or higher in locations such as Hill City, KS (83°F); Borger, TX (81°F); and Tribune, KS (80°F). Other daily-record highs for the 2nd included 81°F in Harrison, AR; 79°F in Pueblo, CO; and 77°F in McCook, NE. Subsequently, warmth spread into the Midwest, South, and East. On February 3, daily-record highs reached 79°F in Athens, GA; 74°F in Louisville, KY, and Knoxville, TN; 72°F in Columbia, MO; and 70°F in Evansville, IN. Consecutive daily-record highs were established on February 3-4 in Wilmington, DE (64 and 68°F), and Mansfield, OH (61 and 59°F). In contrast, cold, windy weather engulfed the West. A wind gust to 76 mph was clocked on February 2 in Tonopah, NV. In Arizona, peak wind gusts on the 3rd included 78 mph at Springerville and 70 mph at St. Johns. A gust to 79 mph was recorded on February 4 in southern California’s Fremont Canyon. Farther north, Meacham, OR, posted a daily-record low of -4°F on February 3. The following day in California, record-setting lows for February 4 dipped to 21°F in Paso Robles and 28°F at the Salinas Airport. By February 5, Western daily-record lows included -34°F in Crested Butte, CO, and 19°F in Ramona, CA. In the wake of record-setting snowfall, Midland, TX, notched a daily-record low of 8°F on February 6. Farther east, however, warmth lingered through February 6 across Florida, where daily-record highs soared to 88°F in Fort Pierce and 85°F in Jacksonville. In the Northwest, warmth quickly replaced previously cold conditions. In Oregon, record-setting highs for February 6 rose to 59°F in Portland and Troutdale. By February 8, warm weather expanded to other areas of the West, resulting in daily-record highs in Barstow-Daggett, CA (80°F), and Winslow, AZ (71°F). During the early- to mid-week period, a multi-day snowstorm unfolded across parts of the West. On February 2-3, Pocatello, ID, noted consecutive daily-record snowfall totals (3.4 and 3.7 inches, respectively). In Montana, daily-record totals for February 2 included 4.4 inches at the Bozeman Airport and 2.5 inches in Billings. On the 3rd, daily-record amounts reached 13.1 inches in Lander, WY, and 8.6 inches in Salt Lake City, UT. In Wyoming, weekly snowfall totals topped 50 inches in a few locations near Centennial. On February 4-5 in Oregon, 24-hour snowfall reached 10.0 inches at La Grande and 9.6 inches at Long Creek. Subsequently, runoff from heavy rain and melting snow sparked flooding in northeastern Oregon. La Grande set another record on February 5-6, with 1.55 inches (all rain) falling in a 24-hour period. Previously, La Grande’s wettest 24-hour period in February had been February 22-23, 1986, when 1.50 inches fell. Elsewhere in Oregon, Meacham received precipitation totaling 7.45 inches during the first 8 days of February, including 2.51 inches on the 5th. Farther east, Midland, TX, measured 7.9 inches of snow on February 4-5. With a 5.7-inch total, the 5th was Midland’s snowiest February day on record (previously, 4.4 inches on
February 23, 2010). Other daily-record snowfall totals for February 5 included 4.6 inches in Oklahoma City, OK, and 3.3 inches in Wichita Falls, TX. Meanwhile, heavy rain erupted across the South, where record-setting totals for February 4 reached 2.63 inches in Paducah, KY, and 1.72 inches in Harrison, AR. The following day, Crossville, TN, netted a record-setting sum (2.96 inches) for February 5. The 6th was the wettest February and winter day on record in Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (5.36 inches), and Greensboro, NC (3.69 inches). It was also the wettest February day in Fayetteville, NC (3.33 inches), Danville, VA (3.18 inches), and Charlotte, NC (3.16 inches). On February 6, the Cumberland River at Pineville, KY, climbed 17.06 feet above flood stage—the second-highest level on record behind 19.80 feet above flood stage on April 5, 1977. Lookout Creek at New England, GA, also achieved its second-highest crest (8.53 feet above flood stage on February 7), behind only 8.73 feet above flood stage on August 17, 1982. On the 6th, the Emory River at Oakdale, TN (6.88 feet above flood stage), rose to its highest level since March 23, 1991, while the Pigeon River at Newport, TN (9.53 feet above flood stage), surged to its highest level since September 17, 2004. Eastern precipitation lingered through February 7, when Cape Hatteras, NC, measured a daily-record sum of 3.69 inches. Farther north, record-setting snowfall totals for the 7th included 12.8 inches in Caribou, ME; 9.2 inches in Syracuse, NY; and 5.1 inches in Pittsburgh, PA. Caribou received 16.2 inches of snow from February 6-8. Farther west, a final round of heavy precipitation spread across the nation’s northern tier. The 6th was the wettest February day on record in Lewiston, ID, where 1.24 inches fell (previously, 0.99 inch on February 11, 1897). By February 8-9, a band of heavy snow developed from South Dakota to Michigan. Huron, SD, received a 2-day snowfall total of 10.4 inches, aided by a daily-record sum of 7.5 inches on February 8. Mild weather returned across the southern half of Alaska, but bitterly cold conditions persisted on the Seward Peninsula and along and near the Arctic Coast. Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow, posted a low of -41°F on February 5—the lowest reading in that location since February 4, 2012—and noted readings of -40°F on February 2 and 8. Meanwhile in Bettles, occasional snow—totaling 15.3 inches during the first 9 days of February—accompanied periods of milder weather. Other February 1-9 snowfall totals in Alaska included 7.1 inches in Fairbanks, 12.1 inches in Juneau, and 24.1 inches in Valdez. However, all of Juneau’s snow fell by February 4, followed by highs of 40°F on February 5 and 9. Farther south, heavy Hawaiian precipitation fell around mid-week, followed by a period of cool, mostly dry weather. Kahului, Maui, netted rainfall totaling 0.95 inch on February 6. Lihue, Kauai, reported a 2-day (February 5-6) sum of 1.32 inches. Later, on the Big Island, Hilo reported a low of 59°F on February 8. It was Hilo’s first reading below the 60-degree mark since February 28, 2019.
4 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin February 11, 2020
S
L
L
SL
SL
SL
S
SS
S
S
S
The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions.Local conditions may vary. For more information on theDrought Monitor, go to https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/About.aspx
droughtmonitor.unl.edu
U.S. Drought Monitor February 4, 2020
Valid 7 a.m. EST
(Released Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020)
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)
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 5 Minimal snow has accumulated in the Sierra Nevada since late December, except for a brief period in mid-January. The average water equivalency of the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which stood at 9 inches (105 percent of normal) on December 23, gained only 3 inches during January. By February 9, the snowpack’s average water content of 12 inches was just 60 percent of normal. Meanwhile, record-setting January precipitation fell in parts of western Washington, as the primary storm track shifted northward. In early February, a strong ridge of high pressure over the eastern Pacific Ocean further helped to deflect storminess to the north, leaving California’s key watershed areas experiencing a continuation of dry conditions.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
501‐Dec
8‐Dec
15‐Dec
22‐Dec
29‐Dec
5‐Jan
12‐Jan
19‐Jan
26‐Jan
2‐Feb
9‐Feb
16‐Feb
23‐Feb
2‐M
ar
9‐M
ar
16‐M
ar
23‐M
ar
30‐M
ar
Source: California Department of Water Resources
Daily Sierra Nevada Snowpack (Inches) vs. Normal
Normal
2016‐17
2017‐18
2018‐19
2019‐20
6 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin February 11, 2020
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 9
January Weather and Crop Summary
Weather Weather summary provided by USDA/WAOB
Highlights: Western weather patterns flipped in January, with wetter conditions developing in the Northwest and a drier regime arriving across California and the Southwest. As a result, Northwestern snowpack dramatically improved to near-normal values by month’s end, while little snow accumulated in California’s key watershed areas. According to the California Department of Water Resources, the average water equivalency of the Sierra Nevada snowpack increased only 3 inches (from 9 to 12 inches) during the month—and was only about 70 percent of the late-January average. Meanwhile, most of the central and eastern U.S. experienced unsettled weather. Relative to normal, precipitation was par-ticularly heavy in the Midwest, further delaying final harvest efforts. By late January, harvesting of corn and sunflowers was 96 percent complete in South Dakota. In North Dakota, where many areas have experienced continuous snow coverage since late November, the corn and sunflower harvests were just 49 and 67 percent complete, respectively. Heavy precipitation from the Midwest southward to the cen-tral Gulf Coast led to a rare, mid-winter flood event. Some of the most significant flooding developed around mid-month from Mississippi to Michigan, fueled by a series of storms. Midwestern basins such as the Illinois and Wabash Rivers experienced mostly minor to moderate flooding. Flooding also affected the lower Mississippi Valley and environs. Late in the month, topsoil moisture was rated at least 40 percent surplus in many Midwestern States, including Michigan (63 percent), Ohio (59 percent), South Dakota (48 percent), Missouri (45 percent), North Dakota (44 percent), and Illinois (40 percent). In contrast, lingering pockets of drought across the High Plains and the Southwest left topsoil moisture rated 65 percent very short to short in New Mexico, along with 61 percent in Colorado and 32 percent in Kansas. By late January, nearly one-quarter of the winter wheat was rated in very poor to poor condition in Colorado (24 percent) and Kansas (23 percent). Despite brief cold episodes, near- or above-normal January temperatures dominated the country. Warmth was especially notable east of the Mississippi River, where monthly temperatures averaged as much as 6 to 10°F above normal. For most areas east of the Rockies, the harshest period of cold weather lasted about a week and culminated with a freeze across parts of Florida’s peninsula on January 22. During Florida’s brief cold outbreak, high winds and temperatures near the freezing mark may have reduced the yield potential of highly sensitive vegetables.
Historical Perspective: According to preliminary data provided by the National Centers for Environmental Information, the contiguous U.S. experienced its fifth-warmest, 25th-wettest January during the 126-year period of record. The nation’s monthly average temperature of 35.5°F was 5.4°F above the 1901-2000 mean, while precipitation averaged 2.70 inches (117 percent of normal). January average temperatures were higher only in 2006 (38.9°F), 1990 (36.5°F), 1953 (36.4°F), and 2012 (36.1°F). Warmer-than-normal weather stretched from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Seaboard. Utah, with its 38th-warmest January, was the state with the lowest (“coolest”) ranking. Top-ten rankings for January warmth were noted in thirteen states from the Great Lakes region into the Northeast (figure 1). Meanwhile, state precipitation rankings ranged from the sixth-driest January in Rhode Island to the fourth-wettest January in Washington (figure 2). Elsewhere, Massachusetts experienced its tenth-driest January, but top-ten rankings for January wetness were reported in Missouri and Oklahoma. Figure 1 Figure 2
10 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin February 11, 2020 Summary: Early in the New Year, a heavy-rain event unfolded across the South, where daily-record amounts for January 2 totaled 4.15 inches in Jackson, MS, and 3.42 inches in Huntsville, AL. Columbia, SC, after completing its wettest December on record (9.31 inches, tying 2009), netted a daily-record rainfall of 1.46 inches on January 3. Subsequently, tranquil weather prevailed for several days, except in the Pacific Northwest. In western Washington, daily-record totals for January 6 included 3.01 inches in Olympia and 2.57 inches in Hoquiam. Another round of precipitation overspread the Northwest on January 10, when Spokane, WA, received a daily-record snowfall of 7.0 inches. Meanwhile, heavy rain and severe thunderstorms developed across the southeastern Plains and swept eastward. Record-setting rainfall amounts for January 10 included 3.82 inches in McAlester, OK; 3.63 inches in Springfield, MO; and 3.27 inches in Fayetteville, AR. In Missouri, January 9-11 precipitation totaled more than 4 inches—ending as accumulating snow—in locations such as Springfield (4.11 inches, with 1.1 inches of snow) and St. Louis (4.33 inches, with 2.5 inches of snow). The Southern deluge continued through January 11, when daily-record amounts topped the 3-inch mark in locations such as Stuttgart, AR (3.41 inches); Paducah, KY (3.09 inches); and Greenwood, MS (3.06 inches). From January 10-12, there were well over 700 reports of wind damage and more than six dozen tornadoes across the South, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service. There were three deadly tornadoes during outbreak—one fatality on January 10 in Nacogdoches County, TX, and three fatalities apiece on January 11 from EF-2 twisters in Bossier Parish, LA, and Pickens County, AL. The Pickens County tornado, with estimated winds in excess of 130 mph, cut a 6.3-mile swath and had a maximum width of more than 1,000 yards. Elsewhere on the 11th, heavy rain expanded into the lower Great Lakes region, where daily-record amounts totaled 2.42 inches in South Bend, IN, and 2.38 inches in Lansing, MI. Elsewhere in Michigan, totals on the 11th of 2.42 inches in Flint and 2.06 inches in Detroit represented the highest January daily amounts on record. Previous records had been 1.34 inches (on January 18, 1949) in Flint and 1.76 inches (on January 12, 1908) in Detroit. As precipitation shifted eastward, wintry weather affected northern Maine. On January 12, Caribou, ME, noted daily-record totals (12.8 and 1.04 inches, respectively) for snow and precipitation. Northwestern warmth resulted in the highest New Year’s Day temperatures on record in Washington locations such as Ephrata (54°F) and Wenatchee (51°F). From January 1-4, Omak, WA, posted four consecutive daily-record highs (49, 45, 49, and 48°F). Later, warmth continued in the Northwest and developed across the Southeast. On January 3, daily-record highs climbed to 61°F in Bellingham, WA, and Pendleton, OR. On the same date, record-setting Southeastern highs soared to 85°F in Jacksonville, FL, and 82°F in Augusta, GA. Jacksonville also tied a monthly record, originally set on January 30, 2013. Elsewhere in Florida, January 3-4 featured consecutive daily-record highs in Vero Beach (86°F both days) and Fort Pierce (87°F both
days). On the northern High Plains, daily-record highs for January 4 rose to 65°F in Sheridan, WY, and 58°F in Miles City, MT. Northwestern warmth re-developed by January 6, when daily-record highs included 59°F in Yakima, WA, and The Dalles, OR. On January 7, Troutdale, OR, also registered a daily-record high of 59°F. A few days later, warmth rapidly expanded across the central and eastern U.S. By January 9, daily-record highs surged to 66°F in Kansas City, MO, and 62°F in Ottumwa, IA. On January 10-11, consecutive daily-record highs were noted in locations such as Huntington, WV (68 and 78°F); Lexington, KY (67 and 75°F); and Cincinnati, OH (61 and 67°F). Other record-breaking highs for January 11 included 87°F in Naples, FL; 80°F in Charleston, WV; and 70°F in Cleveland, OH, and Boston, MA. Charleston had not attained an 80-degree reading in January since January 15, 1932, when the high reached 81°F. On January 11-12, consecutive daily-record highs were established in Eastern locations such as Fort Myers, FL (87 and 88°F), and Boston, MA (70 and 74°F). Fort Myers tied a monthly record, previously set on January 9, 2013, and earlier dates, while Boston shattered its January record of 72°F, achieved on January 26, 1950. Monthly record highs were also set on January 12 in locations such as Naples, FL (89°F); Providence, RI (70°F); and Bridgeport, CT (69°F). Warmth lingered across the Deep South for several days. For example, Jacksonville, FL, posted four consecutive daily-record highs (84, 84, 82, and 83°F) from January 12-15. In Texas, Corpus Christi notched consecutive daily-record highs (83 and 80°F, respectively) on January 14-15. McAllen, TX, posted highs above the 80-degree mark each day from January 12-18, with the temperature peaking at 89°F (a daily-record high) on the 14th. In stark contrast, Klamath Falls, OR, notched a daily record-tying low of -3°F on January 15. Although daily records were not set, lows on January 16 plunged to -30°F in Grand Forks, ND, and -24°F in Aberdeen, SD. Across the mid-South and lower Midwest, mid-January downpours culminated in heavy runoff and extensive lowland flooding. In the central Gulf Coast States, intense rainfall on January 14 led to daily-record amounts in locations such as Jackson, MS (4.51 inches), and Monroe, LA (3.87 inches). On January 15, the Noxubee River at Macon, MS, rose 8.12 feet above flood stage—the second-highest crest on record in that location behind 12.97 feet above flood stage on April 13, 1979. Elsewhere on the 15th, the Yockanookany River near Ofahoma, MS, climbed 5.34 feet above flood stage, rising to its highest level since May 22, 1983. Later, the Big Black River near Bovina, MS, crested on the night of January 18-19 at 10.88 feet above flood stage—just 1.89 feet below the May 1983 high-water mark. Early on the 19th, the Pearl River at Jackson, MS, crested 6.34 feet above flood stage—the highest level in that location since April 8, 2003. Minor to moderate flooding also occurred in several Midwestern river basins, including parts of the Illinois and Wabash Rivers. An ice jam on the Fox River, an Illinois River tributary, pushed the water level in Dayton, IL, to 6.15 feet above flood stage on January 21—the highest crest in that location since April 2013. Late in the
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 11 month, river flooding began to subside in many areas but persisted along portions of the James, Illinois, and Wabash Rivers. In addition, water levels along the lower Mississippi River continued to rise, while significant flooding continued along the Pearl River in Mississippi and eastern Louisiana. The Pearl River near Bogalusa, MS, crested 3.55 feet above flood stage on January 23—the highest level in that location since March 13, 2016. In Natchez, MS, the Mississippi River crested 5.61 feet above flood stage on January 30—just 4.30 feet below last year’s highest level (9.91 feet above flood stage on March 12). The Mississippi River at Natchez set a record in 2019 with 212 days above flood stage (previously, 77 days in 1927). In the Northwest, a mid-month storm delivered 9.3 inches of snow from January 13-16, including a daily-record sum of 4.8 inches on the 13th. By January 16, precipitation developed across the southern Plains and quickly spread northeastward. January 16-17 rainfall totaled 2.40 inches in Wichita Falls, TX, and 1.90 inches in Oklahoma City, OK. Heavy snow developed on January 17 across the upper Midwest, where daily-record totals included 7.6 inches in Brainerd, MN, and 6.6 inches in Sioux Falls, SD. High winds developed on January 17 across the northern Plains, where gusts were clocked to 67 mph in Rapid City, SD, and 60 mph in Fargo ND, and Imperial, NE. Fargo also received 4.1 inches of snow on January 17-18. Other 2-day snowfall totals included 7.1 inches in Sioux Falls, SD; 6.3 inches in Huron, SD; 5.2 inches in Sioux City, IA; and 1.8 inches in Lincoln, NE; peak gusts on the 18th reached 55 to 60 mph in each of those locations. Later, rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow spread eastward across the Midwest and Northeast. Record-setting precipitation totals for January 18 included 1.13 inches in Columbus, OH, and 0.73 inch in Parkersburg, WV, while daily-record snow amounts in Michigan reached 11.6 inches in Marquette, 7.1 inches in Flint, and 6.8 inches in Detroit and Lansing. Precipitation returned across parts of the Plains on January 21, when Hastings, NE, netted a daily-record precipitation total—mostly rain and freezing rain—of 0.32 inch. From January 21-23, Hastings received precipitation totaling 0.66 inch and 1.8 inches of snow. Farther south, beneficial rain developed in the drought-affected western Gulf Coast region, where Victoria, TX, netted a daily-record total of 1.51 inches on January 22. As precipitation changed to mostly snow across the central Plains and Midwest, daily-record amounts included 4.2 inches (on January 23) in Omaha, NE, and 3.0 inches (on January 24) in Rockford, IL. Later, heavy rain showers swept across parts of the South and East. In Virginia, record-setting totals for January 24 included 1.54 inches in Roanoke and 1.31 inches in Lynchburg. On January 25, record-setting rainfall amounts reached 2.54 inches in Wilmington, DE, and 1.25 inches in Scranton, PA. For Wilmington, it was the third-wettest January day on record, behind 2.60-inch totals on January 3, 1936, and January 22, 1902. Despite a Midwestern drying trend in late January, the Mississippi River at La Crosse, WI, set a record for having its highest daily average January level. Using
observations from 7 am CST, the average daily January river stage of 8.20 feet smashed the 2017 record of 7.34 feet. The average daily value during January in that location is 5.14 feet, with records going back to 1938. In addition, the 7 am stage on January 27 was 8.73 feet, breaking the monthly record of 8.33 feet set on January 28, 2017. Farther south, late-month showers dotted the western Gulf Coast region. On the 26th, Galveston, TX, experienced its fifth-wettest January day with a total of 3.34 inches. Two days later, snow developed across portions of the central and southern High Plains, where amounts for January 28 included 5.4 inches in Dodge City, KS, and 3.0 inches in Dalhart, TX. At month’s end, heavy showers swept across the southern Atlantic region, where record-setting rainfall totals for January 31 included 1.52 inches in Naples, FL, and 1.24 inches in Florence, SC. Meanwhile, periods of heavy precipitation persisted in the Pacific Northwest. Quillayute, WA, completed its wettest month on record (30.78 inches, or 211 percent of normal), aided by a daily-record sum of 4.01 inches on January 31. The previous wettest January in Quillayute had occurred in 2006, when 24.02 inches fell, while the wettest month had been November 1983, with 29.14 inches. Elsewhere in western Washington, it was the wettest January since 2006 in Hoquiam (19.91 inches, or 193 percent of normal) and Olympia (15.56 inches, or 198 percent). In contrast, January precipitation totals in Florida included 0.18 inch (5 percent of normal) in Jacksonville and 0.44 inch (16 percent) in Daytona Beach. Meanwhile, not a drop of rain fell during January in Las Vegas, NV, for the first time since 1976. Despite a brief cold outbreak east of the Rockies, few daily-record lows were established due to competition in earlier years. Still, sub-zero temperatures occurred from January 19-21 in Des Moines, IA (-3, -3, and -4°F), and from January 18-21 in Norfolk, NE (-5, -2, -6, and -1°F). On the morning of January 22, low temperatures in Florida dipped to 35°F in Daytona Beach and 36°F in Tampa, Orlando, and Melbourne. Those values were more than 10°F higher than the daily-record low values established on January 22, 1985. Nevertheless, this year’s brief Southeastern cold spell was accompanied by strong winds, which on the 22nd gusted to 35 mph in Tampa and Vero Beach. Elsewhere on January 22, Great Falls, MT, reported a minimum temperature of 34°F—higher than the lows of 32°F observed that day in Palmdale and Clewiston, FL, west of Lake Okeechobee. Late in the month, mild weather returned across the central and eastern U.S., while pockets of record-setting warmth developed in the West. For example, January 25 featured daily-record highs in locations such as Hermiston, OR (60°F), and Vancouver, WA (58°F). Meanwhile in southern Texas, McAllen posted three consecutive highs of 85°F or greater from January 26-28. McAllen’s high of 88°F on the 28th set a daily record. Late in the month, warmth surged northward in advance of a Pacific storm system. On January 31 – February 1, Alturas, CA, posted consecutive daily-record highs of 62°F. Other record-setting highs on the last day of January included 65°F in Yakima, WA, and 62°F in Portland, OR.
12 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin February 11, 2020
Mississippi River at La Crosse, WisconsinAverage 7 am Daily January River Stage (Feet)
A January‐recordaverage river stage value of 8.20 feetwas set in 2020,breaking the 2017 recordof 7.34 feet. Other top‐ten values are shownin the graph. The average daily January river level in La Crosse is 5.14feet, with recordsdating back to 1938.
Mainland Alaska endured its coldest January since 2012, with little day-to-day relief from the frigid conditions. In King Salmon, a low of -41°F on January 2 represented the lowest reading in that location since February 2, 2006. A few days later, Kodiak posted consecutive daily-record lows (2 and -1°F, respectively); Kodiak had not experienced a sub-zero reading since January 27, 2012. In McGrath, the temperature stayed continuously below -15°F from January 2-11; the lowest reading during that time was -51°F on the 9th. McGrath also reported sub-zero low temperatures each day during January for the first time since 2012, and—with a monthly average temperature of -24.4°F (17.9°F below normal), endured its fourth-coldest January on record, behind -28.5°F in 2012; -27.5°F in 1989; and -27.4°F in 1971. In Anchorage, where the monthly average tem-perature of 6.2°F was 10.9°F below normal, a streak of 22 consecutive warmer-than-normal months was broken. Late in the month, lows on January 26 and 27 plunged to -54°F in Bettles. In contrast, a week-long stretch of mild weather in the Aleutians culminated with a daily-record high of 50°F (on January 10) in Cold Bay. Mild weather also developed in southeastern Alaska, following a very cold period in early and mid-January. Heavy snow fell at times in southern Alaska, with monthly totals reaching 30.9 inches (112 percent of normal) in Juneau and 17.1 inches (151 percent) in Anchorage. The snow in Anchorage fell in two primary waves: 10.2 inches from December 31 – January 2 and 8.1 inches from January 20-22. Juneau received a daily-record snowfall (7.3 inches) on January 30. Elsewhere in southeastern Alaska, Ketchikan received precipitation totaling at least one-tenth of an inch during each of the last 14 days in January—13.11 inches in all.
General warmth continued across Hawaii, while locally heavy rain fell during the first half of the month in many windward (and a few leeward) locations. On the Big Island, Hilo collected a daily record-tying high of 87°F on January 10, accompanied by a daily-record rainfall of 3.21 inches. Elsewhere on the Big Island, Glenwood received 31.29 inches of rain during the 7-day period ending on the morning of January 12. Some of the heaviest rain fell on January 11-12, when 24-hour totals included 21.84 inches at Saddle Quarry and 20.38 inches at Hakalau. In Kahului, Maui, and Honolulu, Oahu, the month’s wettest day was January 12, when totals reached 1.28 and 0.56 inch, respectively. In the rain’s wake, Kahului’s minimum temperature of 55°F on January 22 represented the lowest reading in that location since January 16, 2019.
Fieldwork Fieldwork summary provided by USDA/NASS
January was warmer than average for most of the nation. Temperatures averaged 5°F or more above normal in many Eastern States. The Western States also experienced above-average temperatures, except in parts of Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. During January, much of the eastern U.S. and the Pacific Northwest received above-average precipitation. Totals in portions of Mississippi, Oregon, and Washington were more than 5 inches above normal. In contrast, much of the Atlantic Seaboard and California, as well as parts of the Rocky Mountain region and the Southwest, saw drier-than-normal January conditions.
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 13
15
8 4
7
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February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 15
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February 2-8, 2020 International Weather and Crop Highlights and Summaries provided by USDA/WAOB
HIGHLIGHTS
EUROPE: Wet weather continued over much of the continent, though localized dryness and drought lingered in parts of southern Europe. MIDDLE EAST: Additional rain and snow across the western half of the region maintained good moisture supplies for dormant (north) to vegetative (central and south) winter crops. NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Dry weather lingered, increasing drought concerns in Morocco and exacerbating short-term dryness in eastern growing areas. SOUTHEAST ASIA: Heavy showers in Java, Indonesia, benefited rice.
AUSTRALIA: The drought-plagued east received another much-needed soaking. SOUTH AFRICA: Showers provided timely moisture for reproductive summer crops across much of the corn belt. ARGENTINA: Rain benefited previously dry western farming areas, but pockets of warmth and dryness raised concern for immature summer crops in some eastern farming areas. BRAZIL: Unseasonable warmth and dryness spurred rapid maturation of soybeans in southern farming areas, while rain farther north benefited emerging corn and cotton.
Local Dryness (S Europe) Rain &
Snow
Showers
Beneficial Rainfall (W Argentina)
Showers Soaking Rain (E Australia)
Warm & Dry (S Brazil)
Heavy Rain for Rice (Java)
Wet
Too Dry
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Widespread rain continued across much of the continent, though dry weather prevailed in southern Europe. Another round of moderate to heavy showers (5-65 mm, locally more) were reported from France and England into most of eastern Europe. The rain further eased or eliminated the protracted short-term dryness which had developed over much of the continent since the beginning of January and boosted moisture reserves for dormant winter wheat and rapeseed. However, more rain is needed in parts of Germany, where longer-term precipitation deficits remained
(90-day precipitation locally less than 50 percent of normal). Despite the wet weather pattern, dry conditions were observed in Spain and Italy; short-term dryness was most pronounced in the latter region, where 60-day rainfall remained locally less than 50 percent of normal. Despite the clouds and showers across much of Europe, temperatures averaged 2 to 6°C above normal, keeping primary growing areas devoid of snow cover and likely causing some unseasonably early winter crop green up in warmer western and southern growing areas.
EUROPE
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 19
Another in a series of slow-moving disturbances generated rain and snow across the western half of the region. In Turkey, precipitation (rain and snow) totaled 10 to 40 mm on the Anatolian Plateau, with higher totals (25-100 mm) reported along the Black and Mediterranean Sea Coasts. This same storm system produced moderate to heavy showers (10-50 mm) from the eastern Mediterranean Coast into western Iran, with snow observed in the higher
terrain. Overall, moisture supplies remained favorable for dormant (north) to vegetative (central and south) wheat and barley, though satellite-derived vegetation health data indicated lingering impacts from autumn drought on central Turkey’s Anatolian Plateau. Temperatures averaged up to 4°C above normal, but winter crops remained dormant in the climatologically colder growing areas of central Turkey and northwestern Iran.
MIDDLE EAST
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Sunny weather prevailed, increasing drought concerns in Morocco and exacerbating short-term dryness in eastern growing areas. Outside of a few isolated light showers in eastern Tunisia (5 mm or less), there was no rain reported in northern Africa for a second consecutive week. In fact, the rain-free period in Morocco extended to four consecutive weeks, which on top of a dry autumn has left soil moisture in very short supply for vegetative to heading winter grains. Furthermore, satellite-derived vegetation health data corroborated the increased crop moisture stress in Morocco, particularly in
western and southern portions of the country. The dry spell has not been as protracted across Algeria and Tunisia, though increasing rainfall deficits since the end of December have rapidly reduced topsoil moisture for wheat and barley in the vegetative stages of development. Compounding the impacts of the dryness were temperatures up to 4°C above normal, with daytime highs in the upper 20s and lower 30s more typical of readings observed in early May. Winter grains across the entire region will need moisture soon to prevent widescale yield reductions, with crops in Morocco in the worst shape.
NORTHWESTERN AFRICA
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 21
Heavy showers (25-100 mm or more) across Java, Indonesia, continued to benefit main-season rice. After a poor start to the rainy season, moisture supplies have improved in Java, with most areas reporting above-normal rainfall over the last 30 days. In contrast, rainfall
continued to be lighter than normal in western oil palm areas of Indonesia and Malaysia, reducing yield potential. Similarly in the Philippines, lighter-than-normal showers (less than 25 mm) kept moisture supplies short for winter rice and corn.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
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Soaking rain (25-75 mm, locally more) overspread a large portion of southern Queensland and New South Wales, bringing much-needed drought relief to eastern Australia. Although the rain was welcome, yield prospects remained poor for dryland summer crops because of the severity and long duration of the drought. However, prospects for irrigated crops are somewhat improved now. The recent rainfall benefited immature irrigated crops by directly
boosting soil moisture. The rainfall also helped stabilize water levels in drought-depleted reservoirs, increasing the likelihood that farmers will have sufficient water to irrigate crops as necessary throughout the remainder of the growing season. Temperatures averaged near normal in major summer crop producing areas, with maximum temperatures generally ranging from the middle 30s to lower 40s degrees C.
AUSTRALIA
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Showers returned to much of the corn belt, providing a timely boost in moisture for summer crops in or nearing the reproductive stages of development. Rainfall totaled 10 to 50 mm at most locations stretching from North West and Free State eastward through Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal; unusually heavy rain (greater than 100 mm) reached southward from Botswana and Zimbabwe into northern Limpopo, likely causing some flooding in bordering areas. In contrast to the abundant rainfall in most commercial corn areas, pockets of dryness persisted in the vicinity of southern Gauteng, and additional moisture would be welcome as later-planted crops advance through reproduction. Weekly
temperatures averaging up to 2°C above normal (daytime highs mostly capped in the lower 30s degrees C) fostered rapid development rates of crops growing with generally favorable levels of moisture. Elsewhere, moderate to heavy rain (25-50 mm or more) covered a large area ranging from southern KwaZulu-Natal westward into the country’s southern interior, benefiting rain-fed summer crops such as sugarcane and providing a significant boost to irrigation for corn, cotton, and other irrigated row crops grown in the Orange River Valley. Meanwhile, sunny, warm weather (daytime highs reaching the upper 30s) favored late-season development of tree and vine crops in Western Cape.
SOUTH AFRICA
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Locally heavy showers greatly increased levels of moisture for summer grains and oilseeds in western farming areas. This week’s heaviest rainfall (50-150 mm) covered a broad area stretching from Cordoba northward through Salta, though pockets of similar accumulations were recorded in southeastern Buenos Aires and eastern Formosa. Other locations recorded at least 10 mm, an exception being Entre Rios, which recorded drier conditions for a second week. In nearly all major farming
areas of central and northern Argentina, weekly temperatures averaged 2 to 3°C above normal and daytime highs reached the middle and upper 30s (degrees C) on at least one day. According to the government of Argentina, corn and soybeans were both at least 99 percent planted as of February 6. The weekly report depicted generally good crop conditions, although locally some crops had displayed signs of stress from recent periods of heat and dryness.
ARGENTINA
February 11, 2020 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 25
Widespread, locally heavy rainfall maintained generally favorable prospects for second-season corn and cotton in major production areas of central and northeastern Brazil. Amounts generally ranged from 25 to 50 mm, though pockets of drier weather (5-25 mm) prevailed in Mato Grosso; according to government reports, soybeans in Mato Grosso were 45 percent harvested as of February 7, with corn and cotton planting at 39 and 98 percent complete, respectively. Elsewhere, moderate rain (25-50 mm) benefited sugarcane, coffee, and other specialty crops in Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais, as well as
second-crop corn. The rain extended southward into northern parts of Parana, but drier weather returned to Rio Grande do Sul. According to the government of Parana, harvesting of both corn and soybeans had reached 4 percent complete as of February 3, with over 75 percent of the remaining crops filling to maturing; second-crop corn was reportedly 7 percent planted. In Rio Grande do Sul, 87 percent of corn and 76 percent of soybeans had reached reproductive to filling stages of development as of February 6, with 33 percent of corn having already been harvested.
BRAZIL
U.S. Crop Production Highlights The following information was released by USDA’s Agricultural Statistics Board on February 11, 2020. Forecasts refer to February 1.
The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2019-2020 season is 5.31 million tons, down 2 percent from the previous forecast and down slightly from the 2018-2019 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 72.0 million boxes (3.24 million tons), is down 3 percent from the previous forecast but up slightly from last season’s final utilization.
In Florida, early, midseason, and Navel varieties are forecast at 31.0 million boxes (1.40 million tons), down 3 percent from the previous forecast but up 2 percent from last season. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 41.0 million boxes (1.85 million tons), is down 2 percent from the previous forecast and 1 percent below last season. California and Texas orange production forecasts were carried forward from the previous forecast.
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