U.S. Weather/Crop Progress
U.S. Drought Monitor Weather Forecast: The upper-level circulation pattern (of ridge west/trough east) will undergo a change in the next seven days. Weather systems will undermine the western ridge, allowing colder-than-normal air to spread westward and encompass most of the CONUS. Some precipitation (a tenth of an inch or more) is expected to fall across most of the CONUS during February 26-March 3. An inch or more is forecast for parts of the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and southern-to-central Rockies, and for most of the country from the eastern Plains to the East Coast. The eastern storm track is predicted to bring two or more inches of precipitation to the Mid-Mississippi Valley to Ohio Valley and Southern Appalachians, as well as the Coastal Carolinas. The driest areas are expected to be the Northern Plains, southwest Texas, and parts of California.
The 10-14 day outlooks keep the area of below-normal temperatures across most of the CONUS, with only the extreme Southeast warmer than normal. The greatest chances for above-normal precipitation during March 2-10 are expected to be over the eastern third of the CONUS. Below-normal precipitation is expected over the West and Northern Plains, spreading across the Rockies and into the Midwest later in the period. Follow this link to view current U.S. and international weather patterns and the future outlook: Weather and Crop Bulletin.