U.S. Weather/Crop Progress
U.S. Drought Monitor Weather Forecast: As a slow-moving upper-level weather system gradually exits the CONUS, it will leave behind an inch or more of precipitation along the East Coast, with 2-4 inches possible in parts of the Northeast and eastern Gulf of Mexico Coast. In addition, the NWS HPC 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) calls for 1-2 inches of precipitation along the northern tier states, but no precipitation across the Southwest and southern Plains to Lower Mississippi Valley. Temperatures for May 1-6 should be below normal in the central CONUS as the upper low and surface cold front migrate eastward, and above normal in the West. Colder-than-normal air slides into the northern states during May 3-8.
The 10-day and 14-day outlooks indicate that a change in the upper-level circulation pattern, consisting of a trough over western North America and a ridge over the east, is predicted for May 6-14, bringing warmer-than-normal temperatures for Alaska and the southern Plains to Northeast, and below-normal temperatures for the West to northern Great Lakes. Precipitation is expected to be above normal for much of the CONUS, except for the immediate West Coast of the CONUS, Southeast, and extreme Southwest. Follow this link to view current U.S. and international weather patterns and the future outlook: Weather and Crop Bulletin.