U.S. Weather/Crop Progress
U.S. Drought Monitor Weather Forecast: During the next 5 days (March 10-14), an ongoing storm in the southern Plains and Delta (as of Wednesday, March 9) is expected to slowly track northeastward, dumping heavy rains (more than 2 inches, locally to 10 inches in Louisiana) on the southern Plains, lower and middle Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio Valleys, and New England. This is expected to cause localized flooding in many parts of the Delta (and did in northern Louisiana Tuesday night). In the Far West, Pacific storm systems are forecast to drop heavy precipitation (8-14 inches) on western sections of Washington, Oregon, and northern and central California, including the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, with lesser totals (up to 4 inches) in the northern Rockies. In addition, temperatures should be much lower with this set of storms as compared to the early March storm, producing more snow for the Cascades and Sierra Nevada. Unfortunately, little or no precipitation is expected in-between these two large events (Southwest, central and southern Rockies, northern and central High Plains). Temperatures will also average well above normal from the Rockies eastward.
For days 6-10 (March 15-19), the odds favor above median precipitation in the Rockies, northern Plains, and eastern half of the Nation (except southern Florida). Below median precipitation probabilities were found in the Far West, Southwest, south-central Plains, and southern Florida. The eastern half of the U.S. will see good chances for above normal temperatures, while near to below normal readings are likely in the West.
Follow this link to view current U.S. and international weather patterns and the future outlook: Weather and Crop Bulletin.