After the wet pattern continued in parts of the West this week, building off of widespread wet and snowy weather this winter, widespread improvements were made to the drought depiction, especially in northern California, northern Nevada, southern Idaho and Utah, with scattered changes, mostly improvements, also taking place in other western states. East of the Rockies, drought and abnormally dry conditions mostly stayed the same or worsened in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, northwest Oklahoma, and central and southeast Texas. The western edge of heavy rains this week fell mostly along and southeast of the Interstate 44 corridor in Oklahoma and western north Texas, leading to further tightening of an already tight drought condition gradient in these areas. Farther west in northwest Oklahoma and western Kansas, extreme and exceptional drought persisted or intensified. Very dry recent weather continued in the Florida Peninsula, where severe drought expanded in coverage and extreme drought developed in response to quickly increasing fire danger. In the Mid-Atlantic, short- and long-term drought and abnormal dryness grew a bit in coverage this week. Conditions also worsened in northwest Puerto Rico and the southern Puerto Rico coast, the latter of which reported nearby forest fires. For more specific details, please refer to the regional paragraphs below.
Forecast
From the morning of Wednesday, March 29 through the evening of Monday, April 3, the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center is forecasting precipitation in some of the higher elevation areas of California, with heavier amounts likely in western Oregon and Washington. Some mountainous areas of Idaho, Colorado, southwest Montana, Wyoming and Utah will likely see over 0.75 inches of precipitation, with some locally heavy amounts possible. Farther east, the southern Great Plains are likely to remain dry, while precipitation is likely from South Dakota into the Upper Great Lakes, and from the Lower Great Lakes southwest toward the Lower Mississippi Valley as a strong storm system traverses the central Great Plains and Midwest. Localized precipitation amounts at or exceeding 0.75 inches are possible for northeast New York and Vermont as well.
From April 4-8, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center forecast strongly favors colder-than-normal weather in the West and warmer-than-normal conditions in the Southeast, with the dividing line between warmer and colder than normal running from Chicago southwest to St. Louis southwest to the Texas Big Bend region. Northwest of this line, below-normal temperatures generally become more likely, with the opposite true southeast of this line. Below-normal temperatures are slightly favored in much of Alaska, especially in the southeast regions. Above-normal precipitation is favored across much of the contiguous U.S., excluding the Florida Panhandle, western Montana, southern Arizona, New Mexico, and the El Paso area. The highest confidence for above-normal precipitation for this time period is over South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Wetter-than-normal weather is also favored in Alaska.
Midwest
Wet weather occurred across much of the Midwest this week, excluding the western Michigan Upper Peninsula, southeast Iowa and Wisconsin, far northwest Missouri and Minnesota. Precipitation amounts from 2 to locally as high as 4 or 5 inches fell roughly along and south of the Interstate 44 and 70 corridors. Temperatures across the region ranged from 6 to 12 degrees colder than normal in much of Minnesota to 6 to 9 degrees warmer than normal in parts of Kentucky, with a mostly continuous gradient between these extremes from northwest to southeast. The region remained mostly free of drought this week, with the exception of lingering long-term drought in western Iowa, western Minnesota and southeast Lower Michigan, and the edge of more significant short- and long-term drought extending from the Kansas into far southwest Missouri. Conditions were reassessed after wetter winter conditions in southwest Minnesota, leading to some reduction in moderate drought there.
AXUS74 KARX 161216
DGTARX
IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-032>034-041>044-
053>055-061-231200-
Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
716 AM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023
...Continual Improvement in the Dryness across the Upper Mississippi
River Valley...
.SYNOPSIS:
.Drought intensity and extent:
From 7 AM on January 10 through 7 AM on February 16, precipitation
totals ranged from 1.42 inches near Oelwein, IA to 4.88 inches near
Mondovi, WI. This precipitation along with what has fallen since
November 1, 2022, has ended the moderate (D1) across Floyd County in
northeast Iowa; and the abnormally dry (D0) conditions in Buffalo
County in west-central Wisconsin; Dodge, Olmsted, and Wabasha
counties in southeast Minnesota; and in Clayton, Howard, and
Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa.
While there was an improvement in the dryness in the La Crosse
Hydrologic Service Area (HSA), abnormally dry (D0) conditions still
remain in Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd, and Mitchell counties in
northeast Iowa; and Mower County in southeast Minnesota.
U.S. Drought Monitor Summary:
In the March 14 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate (D1)
to exceptional (D4) drought continued in northwest Iowa.
Abnormally dry (D0) conditions to moderate (D1) drought were found
in northwest and southwest Minnesota.
Abnormally dry (D0) conditions were found in eastern Iowa, and south-
central and west-central Minnesota.
Note: The data cutoff for Drought Monitor maps is Tuesday at 7 a.m.
Central Daylight Time.
Local Area Affected:
Abnormally Dry (D0) in all or parts of:
Northeast Iowa: Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd, and Mitchell counties.
Southeast Minnesota: Mower County.
.Precipitation:
Precipitation surpluses from November 1, 2022, through March 14,
2023, were up to 6 inches across western Wisconsin and up to 4
inches in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.
These precipitation surpluses alleviated have ended the moderate
(D1) across Mitchell County in northeast Iowa, and the abnormally
dry (D0) conditions in Buffalo County in west-central Wisconsin;
Dodge, Olmsted, and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota; and in
Clayton, Howard, and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa.
.Hydrologic conditions:
As of the morning of March 16, the river and stream flow were near
normal in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota, and western
Wisconsin.
NOTE: This is time-sensitive and conditions could change.
.SUMMARY OF IMPACTS:
.FIRE HAZARDS:
As of the morning of March 16, there was a low (fires are not easily
started fire danger) fire danger in northeast Iowa, southeast
Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.
NOTE: This is time-sensitive and conditions could change from day to
day. Fire conditions can change drastically on drier, windy days.
Updated DNR fire conditions can be found via links to the right.
Citizens should always check with local officials in their area
before undertaking any outside burning. Citizens are liable for
damages and suppression costs of any wildfire they may start.
.DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS:
None reported.
.PRECIPITATION/TEMPERATURE OUTLOOKS:
From March 16 through March 21 it will be colder and wetter than
normal. During this time frame, daily average temperatures range
from 32 to 37°F, and precipitation averages around 4-tenths of an
inch.
Beyond this time frame, the 8 to 14-day forecast (March 22-March 28)
from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is calling for near-normal
temperatures and above-normal precipitation. The daily average
temperatures for this period range from 35 to 40°F and the normal
precipitation is around a half inch.
During April, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is forecasting
enhanced chances of above-normal temperatures. Like the winter, they
are forecasting enhanced chances for above-normal precipitation in
western Wisconsin. Meanwhile, there are equal chances of above-,
near-, and below-normal precipitation for southeast Minnesota and
northeast Iowa. During this month, average temperatures typically
range from 40 to 50°F and range from 2.75 inches in north-central
Wisconsin to nearly 4 inches south of Interstate 90.
From April through June, the Climate Prediction Center has equal
chances of warmer-, near-, and colder-than-normal for the Upper
Mississippi River Valley. As far as precipitation, the odds are
tilted toward wetter-than-normal. Seasonal temperatures typically
average from 50 to 60°F and precipitation ranges from 11 to 15
inches (highest across northeast Iowa).
.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE:
This product will be updated on Thursday, April 20.
Additional information on current drought conditions may be found
at the following web addresses:
U.S. Drought Monitor: https://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
U.S. Drought Portal: https://drought.gov/
Climate Prediction Center (CPC): https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
Midwestern Regional Climate Center: https://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/
Wisconsin State Climatology Office: https://www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/
Minnesota Climatology Working Group: https://climateapps.dnr.state.
mn.us/index.htm
Iowa Climatology Bureau: https://www.iowaagriculture.gov/
climatology.asp
Additional water and river information:
NWS: https://water.weather.gov/
OWP: https://water.noaa.gov/
U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS): https://water.usgs.gov/
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/
.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a multi-agency effort involving
NOAA/s National Weather Service and National Centers for
Environmental Information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), state and regional climatologists, and the National
Drought Mitigation Center. Information for this statement was
gathered from NWS and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
observation sites, state cooperative extension services,
USACE and USGS.
.CONTACT INFORMATION:
Should you have any questions or comments about this drought
statement, please contact:
National Weather Service
N2788 County Road FA
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-784-7294
Email: [email protected]
$$
Boyne
AXUS74 KARX 161216
DGTARX
IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-032>034-041>044-
053>055-061-231200-
Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
716 AM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023
...Continual Improvement in the Dryness across the Upper Mississippi
River Valley...
.SYNOPSIS:
.Drought intensity and extent:
From 7 AM on January 10 through 7 AM on February 16, precipitation
totals ranged from 1.42 inches near Oelwein, IA to 4.88 inches near
Mondovi, WI. This precipitation along with what has fallen since
November 1, 2022, has ended the moderate (D1) across Floyd County in
northeast Iowa; and the abnormally dry (D0) conditions in Buffalo
County in west-central Wisconsin; Dodge, Olmsted, and Wabasha
counties in southeast Minnesota; and in Clayton, Howard, and
Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa.
While there was an improvement in the dryness in the La Crosse
Hydrologic Service Area (HSA), abnormally dry (D0) conditions still
remain in Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd, and Mitchell counties in
northeast Iowa; and Mower County in southeast Minnesota.
U.S. Drought Monitor Summary:
In the March 14 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate (D1)
to exceptional (D4) drought continued in northwest Iowa.
Abnormally dry (D0) conditions to moderate (D1) drought were found
in northwest and southwest Minnesota.
Abnormally dry (D0) conditions were found in eastern Iowa, and south-
central and west-central Minnesota.
Note: The data cutoff for Drought Monitor maps is Tuesday at 7 a.m.
Central Daylight Time.
Local Area Affected:
Abnormally Dry (D0) in all or parts of:
Northeast Iowa: Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd, and Mitchell counties.
Southeast Minnesota: Mower County.
.Precipitation:
Precipitation surpluses from November 1, 2022, through March 14,
2023, were up to 6 inches across western Wisconsin and up to 4
inches in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.
These precipitation surpluses alleviated have ended the moderate
(D1) across Mitchell County in northeast Iowa, and the abnormally
dry (D0) conditions in Buffalo County in west-central Wisconsin;
Dodge, Olmsted, and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota; and in
Clayton, Howard, and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa.
.Hydrologic conditions:
As of the morning of March 16, the river and stream flow were near
normal in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota, and western
Wisconsin.
NOTE: This is time-sensitive and conditions could change.
.SUMMARY OF IMPACTS:
.FIRE HAZARDS:
As of the morning of March 16, there was a low (fires are not easily
started fire danger) fire danger in northeast Iowa, southeast
Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.
NOTE: This is time-sensitive and conditions could change from day to
day. Fire conditions can change drastically on drier, windy days.
Updated DNR fire conditions can be found via links to the right.
Citizens should always check with local officials in their area
before undertaking any outside burning. Citizens are liable for
damages and suppression costs of any wildfire they may start.
.DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS:
None reported.
.PRECIPITATION/TEMPERATURE OUTLOOKS:
From March 16 through March 21 it will be colder and wetter than
normal. During this time frame, daily average temperatures range
from 32 to 37°F, and precipitation averages around 4-tenths of an
inch.
Beyond this time frame, the 8 to 14-day forecast (March 22-March 28)
from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is calling for near-normal
temperatures and above-normal precipitation. The daily average
temperatures for this period range from 35 to 40°F and the normal
precipitation is around a half inch.
During April, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is forecasting
enhanced chances of above-normal temperatures. Like the winter, they
are forecasting enhanced chances for above-normal precipitation in
western Wisconsin. Meanwhile, there are equal chances of above-,
near-, and below-normal precipitation for southeast Minnesota and
northeast Iowa. During this month, average temperatures typically
range from 40 to 50°F and range from 2.75 inches in north-central
Wisconsin to nearly 4 inches south of Interstate 90.
From April through June, the Climate Prediction Center has equal
chances of warmer-, near-, and colder-than-normal for the Upper
Mississippi River Valley. As far as precipitation, the odds are
tilted toward wetter-than-normal. Seasonal temperatures typically
average from 50 to 60°F and precipitation ranges from 11 to 15
inches (highest across northeast Iowa).
.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE:
This product will be updated on Thursday, April 20.
Additional information on current drought conditions may be found
at the following web addresses:
U.S. Drought Monitor: https://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
U.S. Drought Portal: https://drought.gov/
Climate Prediction Center (CPC): https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
Midwestern Regional Climate Center: https://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/
Wisconsin State Climatology Office: https://www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/
Minnesota Climatology Working Group: https://climateapps.dnr.state.
mn.us/index.htm
Iowa Climatology Bureau: https://www.iowaagriculture.gov/
climatology.asp
Additional water and river information:
NWS: https://water.weather.gov/
OWP: https://water.noaa.gov/
U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS): https://water.usgs.gov/
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/
.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a multi-agency effort involving
NOAA/s National Weather Service and National Centers for
Environmental Information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), state and regional climatologists, and the National
Drought Mitigation Center. Information for this statement was
gathered from NWS and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
observation sites, state cooperative extension services,
USACE and USGS.
.CONTACT INFORMATION:
Should you have any questions or comments about this drought
statement, please contact:
National Weather Service
N2788 County Road FA
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-784-7294
Email: [email protected]
$$
Boyne
AXUS73 KOAX 131728
DGTOAX
IAC071-085-129-133-137-145-155-165-NEC003-011-021-023-025-027-037-
039-053-055-067-095-097-107-109-119-127-131-133-139-141-147-151-
153-155-159-167-173-177-179-201730-
Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1228 PM CDT Mon Mar 13 2023
...DROUGHT AGAIN REDUCED ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHEAST NEBRASKA...
.DROUGHT INTENSITY AND EXTENT:
D4 - Exceptional Drought category - Portions of Pierce, Wayne,
Thurston, Madison, Stanton, Cuming, Burt, Platte, Colfax, Dodge,
Butler, and Saunders counties in Nebraska and the northwestern
corner of Monona County, Iowa.
D3 - Extreme Drought category - Portions of Cedar, Antelope,
Pierce, Wayne, Platte, Dodge, Madison, Burt, Washington, Butler,
Douglas, and Saunders in northeast Nebraska, and the western
portions of Monona and Harrison counties in Iowa.
D2 - Severe Drought category - Covers the majority of Knox, Cedar
and Antelope counties in northeast Nebraska. Most of Lancaster,
Dodge, Saline, and Seward counties in southeast Nebraska.
D1 - Moderate Drought category - Covers much of the remainder of
western Iowa and southeast Nebraska.
D0 - Abnormally Dry category - Covers the remainder of far
southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa.
.PRECIPITATION SO FAR THIS YEAR (through March 12):
Norfolk, NE :::: 2.92" : 16th wettest of 131 years
Omaha, NE :::::: 3.47" : 19th wettest of 153 years
Lincoln, NE :::: 2.97" : 23rd wettest of 137 years
.HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS:
Precipitation deficits were several inches below normal for 2022.
Norfolk, NE recorded the least amount of precipitation observed
for any year on record.
After that historically dry 2022, Nebraska and Iowa have observed
above normal precipitation since the beginning of 2023.
Unfortunately, with very low average moisture this time of the
year, that doesn't necessarily mean a lot of improvement in
drought conditions. Soil moisture is low, falling into below the
30th percentile for most.
The Missouri River saw below-normal runoff (86% of average) above
Sioux City, IA.
.SUMMARY OF IMPACTS:
There is enough water in the Missouri River for water supply
needs.
The dry summer in Nebraska meant that hay production was much
lower than normal. The hay supply is 35% lower than at this time
in 2022... and prices are up 40% to 50%.
The US beef cow heard dropped to its lowest level since 1962.
$$
Nicolaisen
AXUS73 KFSD 171340
DGTFSD
IAC021-035-041-059-093-119-141-143-149-167-193-MNC033-063-081-083-
101-105-117-133-NEC043-051-SDC003-005-009-011-015-023-027-035-043-
053-061-067-073-077-079-083-087-097-099-101-111-125-127-135-
241345-
Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
840 AM CDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...Drought Severity and Coverage Have Improved But Remain...
.SYNOPSIS:
.Drought intensity and extent: According to the March 14th issuance
of the U.S. Drought Monitor, Exceptional Drought (D4) is still being
shown across portions of northeastern Nebraska and far western Iowa.
Counties with D4 include Dakota and Dixon in northeastern Nebraska,
and Woodbury in Iowa. Extreme Drought (D3) is being shown in parts
of Dakota and Dixon counties in Nebraska; Woodbury county in
northwest Iowa and extreme southern Union county in South Dakota.
Severe Drought(D2) is being shown across all or parts of Beadle,
Jerauld, Sanborn, Aurora, Davison, Gregory, Bon Homme, Yankton,
Union and Clay counties in South Dakota; Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien,
Clay, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Woodbury and Ida counties in
Northwest Iowa. Moderate Drought (D1) or Abnormally Dry conditions
(D0) are depicted across the rest of the region. The percentage of
the region in D4 is at 1.81 percent, down from 1.98 percent at the
start of the calendar year. The percentage of the forecast area in
D3 or worse is 3.57 percent, down from 20.61 percent at the start of
the calendar year. The total percentage of the forecast area in D2
or worse has decreased from 63.86 percent to 25.45 percent since the
start of the calendar year.
.Precipitation: Precipitation since the start of the calendar year
has generally been between 2 to 4 inches in most locations across
the coverage area, closer to 1 to 2 inches along the Highway 14
corridor in South Dakota. These precipitation totals are
generally 0 to 2 inches above normal for the period.
.Temperature: Temperatures since the start of the calendar year have
generally been a couple degrees within normal when averaged over
the period, with slightly above normal values east of I-29 and
slightly below average values west of I-29.
.Hydrologic conditions: Rivers and streams are either ice covered or
at least ice affected in many locations. However, ambient
streamflow going into winter were generally at or below normal
values.
.Soil Moisture Conditions: Current soil moisture anomalies are
around 1 to 2.5 inches below normal across much of the region.
.SUMMARY OF IMPACTS:
.Agricultural Impacts: None known at this time.
.Hydrologic Impacts: None known at this time.
.Fire Hazards: None known at this time. Many locations are currently
snow covered.
.DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS: None reported.
.LOCAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK: The latest seasonal drought outlook from the
Climate Prediction Center shows that the drought is expected to
remain but improve or drought status removal is likely.
The latest 8-14 day favor below normal temperatures with slightly
elevated odds for above normal precipitation. The 3 month outlook
for April through June shows equal chances for above normal, normal,
or below normal temperatures and precipitation.
.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE: The product will be updated by the end of
April, or as conditions warrant.
.RELATED WEB SITES:
Additional information on current drought conditions may be found
at the following web addresses:
US Drought Monitor: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu
US Drought Information System: https://www.drought.gov
NOAA Drought Page: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/Drought
Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC):
https://mrcc.illinois.edu
High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC):
https://hprcc.unl.edu
South Dakota State Climatologist/Climate and Weather Information:
https://climate.sdstate.edu
Minnesota State Climatology Office:
http://climate.umn.edu
Iowa Climatology Bureau:
https://iowaagriculture.gov/climatology-bureau
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Northwestern Division
Missouri River Basin Water Management Division:
https://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc
Additional water and river information:
NWS: https://water.weather.gov
OWP: https://water.noaa.gov
US Geological Survey (USGS): https://water.usgs.gov
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): https://www.usace.army.mil
.ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
The Drought Monitor is a multi-agency effort involving the
National Weather Service and National Centers for Environmental
Information, the USDA, state and regional center climatologists
and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Information for this
statement has been gathered from NWS and FAA observation sites,
state cooperative extension services, the USDA, USACE and USGS.
.CONTACT INFORMATION:
If you have questions or comments about this Drought Information
Statement, please contact:
National Weather Service
26 West Weather Lane
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-330-4247
$$