U.S. Weather/Crop Progress
U.S. Drought Monitor Weather Forecast: During the next 5 days (January 5-9), several Pacific storm systems laden with moisture are expected to batter California and the West, with up to 18 inches of precipitation forecast for the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Coastal areas of Oregon and the northern two-thirds of California are expecting more than 4 inches of precipitation, while the Intermountain West, northern, central, and southern Rockies and Cascades may see 1-3 inches. Unfortunately, little or no precipitation is predicted in the middle third of the Nation (including the Plains), while a storm may develop off the Atlantic Coast. Light totals (less than 1 inch) may occur along the eastern Gulf and south Atlantic Coasts, with lake-effect snows likely in the favored Great Lakes snow belts. Temperatures across much of the lower 48 States should be well-below normal except for above-normal readings in the Southwest.
During January 10-14, the odds favor above-median precipitation in the West, northern Plains, Midwest, and Northeast, with good chances for sub-median precipitation in the southern Rockies, southern half of the Plains, and along the Gulf and southern Atlantic Coasts. Temperatures are expected to rebound from the day 1-5 cold spell, with a favorable tilt toward above-normal readings across the southern half and eastern third of the U.S., with the cold expected to remain in the Northwest and northern Plains.
Follow this link to view current U.S. and international weather patterns and future outlook: Weather and Crop Bulletin.