WWCB

Volume 99, No.
12
WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN
http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather
March 20, 2012
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service and World Agricultural Outlook Board
HIGHLIGHTS March 11 - 17, 2012

istoric and nearly unprecedented early-season warmth covered most areas from the Plains to the East Coast, promoting rapid development of winter wheat and other crops, including fruits. Weekly temperatures ranged from 20 to 30F above normal in the Midwest and averaged at least 10F above normal in all other areas east of the Rockies, except across Floridas peninsula. In fact, nearto below-normal temperatures were limited to areas along the Pacific Coast. Meanwhile, northern and central California experienced an impressive period of stormy (Continued on page 5)
Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB
Contents
Water Supply Forecast for the Western United States.............. 2 Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps ........................ 4 Temperature Departure Map ........................................................... 5 March 13 Drought Monitor & U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook ................................................. 6 National Weather Data for Selected Cities ...................................... 7 Winter Weather Review ............................................................... 10 Winter Precipitation & Temperature Maps................................ 12 Winter Weather Data for Selected Cities ................................... 15 National Agricultural Summary & Soil Temperature Map ............. 16 International Weather and Crop Summary.................................... 17 February International Temperature/Precipitation Maps ........ 29 Bulletin Information & Record Reports .......................................... 44
Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin
March 20, 2012
Water Supply Forecast for the Western United States

Highlights
Despite a weakening La Nia, significant February precipitation fell in much of the Northwest. Unexpectedly heavy precipitation occurred during February in the eastern Great Basin (Utah) and San Juan Mountains (Colorado). Much of the Far West, including the Sierra Nevada, continued to endure extremely dry conditions.
SNOTEL River Basin Snow Water Content

Figure 1
Snowpack and Precipitation

By March 19, 2012, the snow water content map reflected below-average packs across much of the West, excluding the northern tier of the region from Washington to Montana and Wyoming (figure 1). The driest regions with respect to the normal water equivalency of the snow pack included the Sierra Nevada, the Great Basin, and parts of the Southwest, where some basin-level values were less than 50 percent of average. Parts of the Southwest experienced substantial losses in snow water content during February due to warm, dry conditions. In California and the Pacific Northwest, the March 19 values reflected a significant improvement from the beginning of March as a result of widespread, mid-month storminess. Season-to-date precipitation (October 1, 2011 - March 19, 2012) indicated that southern and western portions of the region received substantially belowaverage precipitation during the first 5 months of the Western wet season. In particular, barely half of the normal season-to-date precipitation had fallen from the Sierra Nevada into parts of Arizona (figure 2). In contrast, near- to above-normal season-to-date pre.
SNOTEL River Basin Precipitation

Figure 2
March 20, 2012
cipitation covered the northern tier of the West and many basins covering the Front Range of the Rockiesparticularly across Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
Figure 3
Spring and Summer Streamflow Forecasts

By March 1, projections for spring and summer runoff were not optimistic in basins stretching from California and the Great Basin into Arizona. Less than half of the normal streamflow can be expected in parts of the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin, as well as parts of Arizona (figure 3). During February, streamflow prospects deteriorated in all of the aforementioned areas. Farther north, however, prospects improved across the northern tier of the West. As a result, March 1 forecasts indicated that near-normal runoff should occur in the Cascades and the northern Rockies. Streamflow prospects were only slightly less optimistic (slightly belownormal runoff expected) across much of the northern Intermountain West and the central and southern Rockies.
Reservoir Storage
On March 1, reservoir storage as a percent of average for the date was near to above normal in every Western State except Arizona and New Mexico (figure 4). Those two states had the best start to Western wet season, but turned warm and mostly dry in January and February. Many Western States, including California, Nevada, and Utah, have a reservoir storage buffer against developing drought.
Figure 4
For More Information

The National Water and Climate Center homepage provides the latest available snowpack and water supply information. Please visit: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov
March 20, 2012
March 20, 2012

( (Continued from front cover)
weather, boosting the average water equivalent of the high-elevation Sierra Nevada snow pack from 9 to 12 inches (32 to 46 percent of normal) between March 12 and 18. Significant precipitation also fell across the Northwest. Toward weeks end, muchneeded rain and snow spread into parts of the Southwest. Farther east, rain across the nations mid-section was mostly confined to the eastern Plains. Warm, dry, breezy weather continued to stress pastures and winter grains on the southern High Plains, while wheat was breaking dormancy and in need of moisture on the northern High Plains. Elsewhere, periods of generally light precipitation accompanied record-setting warmth across the eastern half of the U.S. Heavier rain (2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts) caused some flooding in Louisiana, while 1- to 2inch totals maintained abundant moisture reserves across the southern and eastern Corn Belt. However, little or no rain fell along the East Coast, except for a few heavy showers in southern Florida. Drought remained a significant concern across the lower Southeast, including Floridas peninsula, where heavy irrigation has been required to maintain crop conditions. Early in the week, heavy rain spread into the western and central Gulf Coast States. Daily-record amounts for March 11 included 3.04 inches in Monroe, LA, and 2.81 inches in Houston, TX. Through March 17, Houstons year-to-date precipitation totaled 15.79 inches (186 percent of normal). In 2011, Houstons precipitation did not reach 15.79 inches until November 8. Later, March 12-13 rainfall locally topped 8 inches at a few locations in Louisiana, especially in St. Martin and Lafayette Parishes. Farther west, early-week snow ended across the southern Rockies and the Southwest, where Albuquerque, NM (1.9 inches on March 11), received its highest single-day snowfall since December 15, 2008, when 2.2 inches fell. Farther north, heavy precipitation and high winds arrived in the Northwest. On March 12-13 along the Oregon coast, gusts reached 87 mph in Pacific City and 81 mph at Cape Foulweather. In the Washington Cascades, Holden Village twice received more than a foot of snow in a 24-hour period15 inches on March 12-13 and 14 inches on March 14-15. Elsewhere in Washington, Spokane experienced its wettest March day on record (1.18 inches on March 15), eclipsing the 0.96-inch standard from March 9, 1989. Unofficial weekly snowfall totals of 4 to 6 feet were noted in the Sierra Nevada, with 70 inches reported at Squaw Valley, CA. Closer to the Pacific Coast, isolated 15- to 20inch rainfall totals were noted in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near San Francisco. Ben Lomond, CA, netted a weekly rainfall of 16.31 inches. At weeks end, heavy precipitation spread into southern California and the Southwest. Fresno, CA, received a March 16-18 total of 1.78 inches, andwith a 1.51-inch sum on the 17thexperienced its wettest day since March 20, 2011, when 1.82 inches fell. In Flagstaff, AZ, where snow began to fall late in the day on March 17, more than one-quarter (26.4 of 92.5 inches) of the season-to-date total occurred on March 18-19. Farther north, windy conditions prevailed across the northern High Plains. Cut Bank, MT, clocked winds to 55 mph or greater on 6 days during the first half of the month, including a gust to 63 mph on March 13.
From March 14-18, Chicago, IL, reeled off a string of 5 days with highs of 80F or greater. Previously, Chicagos earliest observance of five consecutive days of 80-degree warmth occurred more than a month later in the yearfrom April 23-27, 1915. Chicago also set a record for the most 80-degree days in March, previously set with 2 days in 1986. A multitude of Midwestern locations reached or exceeded 80F earlier than ever before. Among them: Sioux City, IA (81F on March 13); Traverse City, MI (81F on March 14); Grand Rapids, MI (80F on March 14); Moline, IL (81F on March 15); Rockford, IL (82F on March 15); Madison, WI (82F on March 15); Mason City, IA (81F on March 16); Sioux Falls, SD (82F on March 16); Rochester, MN (81F on March 17); and Oshkosh, WI (80F on March 17). South Bend, IN (81F on both March 14-15), posted consecutive 80-degree days in March for the first time since March 28-29, 1910. All-time high temperature records for March were tied or broken in locations such as Marquette, MI (75F on March 17; previously, 71F on March 8, 2000); International Falls, MN (77F on March 17; previously, 76F on March 27, 1946); Traverse City, MI (82F on March 17; tied 82F on March 29, 1910); Chadron, NE (83F on March 16; tied 83F on March 12, 2007, and earlier dates); and Bismarck, ND (81F on March 16; tied 81F on March 25, 2007, and earlier dates). Hundreds of dailyrecord highs were established from the Plains to the East Coast, with readings of 88F noted in Greensburg, KS (on March 13); Columbia, SC (on March 15); Borger, TX (on March 16); and Colby, KS (on March 17). In Florida, Sarasota-Bradenton notched a daily-record high of 89F on March 15. A late-season cold wave gripped Alaska, where weekly temperatures averaged at least 10 to 20F below normal at many interior locations. In Fairbanks, where the last warmer-than-normal day occurred on March 7, the temperature dipped to -28F on the 11th. With an average temperature of -22.6F, Barrow experienced its coldest March 1-17 period since 1974. Stormy weather was mostly confined to the Aleutians, where Cold Bay received weekly snowfall totaling 6.7 inches and also posted a daily-record low of 3F on March 13. Farther south, mostly dry weather returned to Hawaii, following the previous weeks deluge. A few heavy showers lingered across Kauai on March 11-12, when Kilohana netted 4.09 inches in a 24-hour period. Despite the return of dry weather, month-to-date rainfall through March 17 in Lihue, Kauai, stood at 17.75 inches (704 percent of normal).
March 20, 2012
U.S. Drought Monitor

S S S S SL
March 13, 2012

Valid 8 a.m. EDT
S S
S S L L L SL L L S L SL
SL
Intensity: D0 Abnormally Dry D1 Drought - Moderate D2 Drought - Severe D3 Drought - Extreme D4 Drought - Exceptional
Drought Impact Types: Delineates dominant impacts S = Short-Term, typically <6 months (e.g. agriculture, grasslands) L = Long-Term, typically >6 months (e.g. hydrology, ecology)
SL
The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements.
Released Thursday, March 15, 2012
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
Author: Michael Brewer/Liz Love-Brotak, NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC
U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook

Drought Tendency During the Valid Period
Valid for March 15 - June 30, 2012 Released March 15, 2012
Improvement
No Drought Posted/Predicted
Improvement
Some Improvement
Development
KEY:
Drought to persist or intensify Drought ongoing, some improvement Drought likely to improve, impacts ease Drought development likely
Persistence
Persistence
No Drought Posted/Predicted
Depicts large-scale trends based on subjectively derived probabilities guided by short- and long-range statistical and dynamical forecasts. Short-term events -- such as individual storms -- cannot be accurately forecast more than a few days in advance. Use caution for applications -- such as crops -- that can be affected by such events. "Ongoing" drought areas are approximated from the Drought Monitor (D1 to D4 intensity). For weekly drought updates, see the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. NOTE: the green improvement areas imply at least a 1-category improvement in the Drought Monitor intensity levels, but do not necessarily imply drought elimination.
March 20, 2012
Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Weather Data for Selected Cities
Weather Data for the Week Ending March 17, 2012
Data Provided by Climate Prediction Center (301-763-8000, Ext. 7503)
RELATIVE HUMIDITY PERCENT
PCT. NORMAL SINCE JAN 1 TOTAL, IN., SINCE JAN 1 AVERAGE MAXIMUM AVERAGE MINIMUM
NUMBER OF DAYS TEMP. F

32 AND BELOW 90 AND ABOVE
TEMPERATURE F
DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL WEEKLY TOTAL, IN. AVERAGE MAXIMUM AVERAGE MINIMUM AVERAGE EXTREME HIGH EXTREME LOW
PRECIPITATION
PCT. NORMAL SINCE MAR 1 GREATEST IN 24-HOUR, IN. TOTAL, IN., SINCE MAR 1
.01 INCH OR MORE
AL
AK
AZ
AR CA
CO
CT DC DE FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
BIRMINGHAM HUNTSVILLE MOBILE MONTGOMERY ANCHORAGE BARROW FAIRBANKS JUNEAU KODIAK NOME FLAGSTAFF PHOENIX PRESCOTT TUCSON FORT SMITH LITTLE ROCK BAKERSFIELD FRESNO LOS ANGELES REDDING SACRAMENTO SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO STOCKTON ALAMOSA CO SPRINGS DENVER INTL GRAND JUNCTION PUEBLO BRIDGEPORT HARTFORD WASHINGTON WILMINGTON DAYTONA BEACH JACKSONVILLE KEY WEST MIAMI ORLANDO PENSACOLA TALLAHASSEE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH ATHENS ATLANTA AUGUSTA COLUMBUS MACON SAVANNAH HILO HONOLULU KAHULUI LIHUE BOISE LEWISTON POCATELLO CHICAGO/O'HARE MOLINE PEORIA ROCKFORD SPRINGFIELD EVANSVILLE FORT WAYNE INDIANAPOLIS SOUTH BEND BURLINGTON CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES DUBUQUE SIOUX CITY WATERLOO CONCORDIA DODGE CITY GOODLAND TOPEKA
79 78 79 80 26 -15 11 40 28 10 57 83 67 82 79 78 72 69 60 57 59 61 58 60 63 68 71 69 73 57 62 73 67 77 81 81 80 81 77 83 85 79 78 77 80 79 80 80 79 80 82 77 57 51 57 76 75 75 74 79 76 74 76 75 75 73 76 71 75 74 75 76 75 76
58 57 59 58 11 -24 -14 29 16 -7 23 54 34 46 57 59 48 49 51 44 47 54 49 47 17 37 37 38 34 42 38 49 44 60 56 72 69 61 61 57 65 69 52 57 52 57 53 56 64 70 66 70 41 38 35 48 48 50 47 51 52 46 51 50 49 48 49 46 41 44 49 42 36 54
86 85 84 86 33 3 20 44 34 17 62 87 72 85 87 82 77 76 62 60 63 62 61 67 68 75 76 73 80 70 74 82 76 80 84 81 82 84 83 88 87 81 85 83 86 86 87 85 80 82 85 79 63 54 64 82 82 81 82 83 82 81 81 81 82 82 84 81 85 82 82 84 85 84
52 47 55 52 0 -31 -28 25 14 -25 19 51 31 43 47 51 44 42 46 32 37 52 42 38 9 34 33 25 30 37 27 35 31 57 53 71 67 58 60 54 64 63 39 42 39 50 41 48 62 68 59 67 37 31 27 41 33 35 33 36 33 28 36 36 36 30 36 33 32 28 36 35 33 41
69 67 69 69 19 -20 -2 34 22 2 40 68 51 64 68 69 60 59 56 51 53 58 54 54 40 53 54 54 53 49 50 61 55 69 68 76 75 71 69 70 75 74 65 67 66 68 66 68 72 75 74 74 49 45 46 62 62 63 61 65 64 60 63 62 62 60 63 59 58 59 62 59 55 65
15 15 9 12 -6 -5 -11 1 -10 -7 4 6 8 5 16 16 3 4 -2 -1 -1 -2 0 0 8 16 16 11 12 10 13 15 13 5 7 3 3 4 9 9 8 4 12 13 11 11 10 9 0 1 1 2 6 1 9 26 25 24 26 24 19 23 22 25 23 25 26 25 23 25 21 16 16 22
0.06 1.48 1.57 0.04 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.27 0.26 0.01 0.22 0.00 0.05 0.00 1.36 1.06 0.85 1.66 0.49 3.05 2.10 0.38 2.08 1.00 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.14 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.06 0.53 2.97 0.32 0.90 0.77 0.00 0.53 0.73 0.08 0.21 0.21 0.44 0.10 0.53 0.01 0.14 0.25 0.91 0.68 0.44 0.19 0.27 0.27 0.79 0.23 0.27 0.18 0.66 0.45 0.42 0.22 0.40 0.36 0.26 0.37 0.17 0.15 0.01 0.71
-1.35 -0.09 -0.13 -1.46 -0.01 0.00 -0.06 -0.53 -0.90 -0.10 -0.40 -0.26 -0.41 -0.19 0.46 0.00 0.52 1.14 -0.09 1.83 1.43 -0.16 1.30 0.46 -0.08 -0.19 -0.21 -0.22 -0.20 -0.78 -0.81 -0.82 -0.88 -0.87 -0.82 0.14 2.45 -0.49 -0.60 -0.77 -0.65 -0.27 -0.44 -1.18 -0.86 -1.14 -0.70 -0.69 -2.68 -0.43 -0.38 -0.56 0.61 0.45 0.14 -0.34 -0.34 -0.34 0.31 -0.47 -0.69 -0.42 -0.10 -0.15 -0.22 -0.23 -0.04 -0.18 -0.16 -0.06 -0.37 -0.24 -0.27 0.15
0.04 1.47 1.56 0.04 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.16 0.15 0.01 0.22 0.00 0.05 0.00 1.36 1.06 0.85 1.48 0.49 1.88 0.90 0.38 0.79 0.40 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.12 0.04 0.02 0.03 0.00 0.06 0.35 2.30 0.32 0.78 0.71 0.00 0.49 0.40 0.06 0.21 0.12 0.23 0.09 0.18 0.01 0.13 0.11 0.31 0.27 0.17 0.19 0.14 0.18 0.70 0.12 0.21 0.18 0.57 0.37 0.29 0.21 0.38 0.23 0.22 0.32 0.16 0.15 0.01 0.39
2.75 3.00 2.96 1.46 0.53 0.01 0.00 2.81 0.84 0.20 0.22 0.00 0.05 0.00 4.12 2.52 0.85 1.66 0.49 3.10 2.10 0.38 2.17 1.04 0.06 0.06 0.04 0.20 0.11 0.65 0.95 0.55 0.53 1.75 0.65 0.67 3.40 0.63 2.49 4.15 1.14 1.10 2.86 3.16 1.20 1.63 1.34 3.37 7.05 5.53 2.48 17.76 1.11 0.70 0.45 0.66 0.58 1.10 1.42 0.85 1.92 0.98 2.06 1.03 0.85 0.84 0.44 1.35 0.26 0.49 0.19 0.22 0.01 0.83
85 80 75 40 143 100 0 135 29 67 14 0 4 0 196 104 106 128 32 102 121 29 109 77 32 13 8 40 27 31 48 28 25 87 32 74 283 34 71 115 70 63 101 103 47 51 48 186 98 481 202 906 154 127 62 56 44 79 138 53 85 71 115 76 59 87 46 113 30 53 16 26 2 67
11.61 14.35 12.45 9.49 3.62 0.42 1.11 12.34 12.96 1.47 1.63 0.00 0.54 0.22 10.72 9.11 1.58 3.79 1.80 10.34 5.45 1.97 4.99 3.13 0.40 0.37 1.20 1.00 0.74 5.21 5.38 5.07 5.16 3.55 1.88 6.67 6.99 3.90 10.73 10.30 4.11 5.30 7.68 10.53 3.72 10.73 7.06 7.47 22.62 7.22 2.56 30.96 4.50 3.30 2.71 4.16 3.23 4.04 3.96 3.92 7.06 6.08 6.92 6.30 2.52 2.39 2.63 3.91 3.02 2.96 2.79 1.25 0.52 3.57
90 101 84 67 202 175 106 113 77 75 26 0 12 9 152 97 50 68 24 69 60 35 48 48 62 34 126 63 74 59 61 65 62 45 21 144 136 59 79 76 63 66 64 83 33 86 57 86 88 116 35 316 138 125 94 91 73 88 105 78 85 113 104 113 59 77 83 101 145 105 109 59 35 106
91 87 94 91 75 80 78 94 72 76 67 26 52 24 85 91 68 78 84 87 93 80 87 88 58 40 36 37 40 81 81 81 94 93 94 82 81 90 94 91 86 76 90 82 94 91 96 93 84 72 79 81 78 88 80 78 86 92 87 93 90 90 86 82 93 94 84 91 94 91 94 91 59 91
43 58 67 50 61 70 64 78 67 66 15 13 10 10 48 49 50 56 72 73 66 68 77 74 18 8 10 16 24 65 50 39 48 54 44 62 56 62 64 54 41 58 63 52 59 43 46 55 73 64 66 66 51 69 59 51 51 48 56 39 60 46 45 51 50 40 54 54 56 52 55 32 24 68
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 1 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
2 2 2 1 1 0 0 2 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 5 5 1 4 4 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 4 5 1 7 2 0 4 5 2 1 2 3 2 6 1 2 4 5 6 3 1 2 2 4 3 3 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2
Based on 1971-2000 normals
*** Not Available
.50 INCH OR MORE
STATES AND STATIONS
PRECIP
0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Weather Data for the Week Ending March 17, 2012 TEMPERATURE F
March 20, 2012

PCT. NORMAL SINCE JAN01 TOTAL, IN., SINCE JAN01 AVERAGE MAXIMUM AVERAGE MINIMUM

PRECIPITATION
.01 INCH OR MORE
KY
LA
ME MD MA MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
NH NJ NM NY
NC
ND
OH
WICHITA JACKSON LEXINGTON LOUISVILLE PADUCAH BATON ROUGE LAKE CHARLES NEW ORLEANS SHREVEPORT CARIBOU PORTLAND BALTIMORE BOSTON WORCESTER ALPENA GRAND RAPIDS HOUGHTON LAKE LANSING MUSKEGON TRAVERSE CITY DULUTH INT'L FALLS MINNEAPOLIS ROCHESTER ST. CLOUD JACKSON MERIDIAN TUPELO COLUMBIA KANSAS CITY SAINT LOUIS SPRINGFIELD BILLINGS BUTTE CUT BANK GLASGOW GREAT FALLS HAVRE MISSOULA GRAND ISLAND LINCOLN NORFOLK NORTH PLATTE OMAHA SCOTTSBLUFF VALENTINE ELY LAS VEGAS RENO WINNEMUCCA CONCORD NEWARK ALBUQUERQUE ALBANY BINGHAMTON BUFFALO ROCHESTER SYRACUSE ASHEVILLE CHARLOTTE GREENSBORO HATTERAS RALEIGH WILMINGTON BISMARCK DICKINSON FARGO GRAND FORKS JAMESTOWN WILLISTON AKRON-CANTON CINCINNATI CLEVELAND COLUMBUS DAYTON MANSFIELD
74 75 71 75 75 80 81 81 81 39 51 71 56 57 63 71 67 72 67 68 58 60 69 70 66 80 79 79 77 75 79 75 66 49 52 62 59 62 50 76 76 75 74 74 75 73 58 76 55 59 56 64 70 61 66 65 67 65 72 77 75 69 77 77 68 68 64 61 65 65 70 72 70 70 71 69
54 54 53 53 55 60 68 64 64 19 34 45 39 36 32 46 35 46 45 41 36 31 45 44 36 61 57 57 55 55 55 54 37 27 25 33 31 27 30 41 42 41 32 47 31 36 36 56 40 38 32 43 37 37 40 42 41 38 45 50 50 53 51 50 30 30 35 31 31 28 46 50 48 48 50 47
80 82 78 83 82 83 83 84 84 52 62 80 71 69 81 80 79 79 77 82 75 77 80 81 76 85 85 84 85 82 86 82 73 53 62 70 65 70 59 84 83 84 82 84 80 84 62 78 61 65 71 76 74 70 71 73 72 68 77 84 82 73 84 84 81 78 76 73 78 77 77 78 77 78 77 75
41 40 39 35 38 57 63 62 54 4 29 28 30 27 24 38 26 37 37 31 32 19 34 36 30 57 54 48 42 44 37 46 32 23 19 28 26 24 26 34 32 34 28 40 23 33 32 49 32 27 22 31 32 25 29 34 36 24 28 31 36 43 31 35 26 23 28 27 26 23 31 36 38 31 34 34
64 65 62 64 65 70 75 73 72 29 42 58 48 47 48 59 51 59 56 55 47 46 57 57 51 71 68 68 66 65 67 65 52 38 39 47 45 45 40 59 59 58 53 61 53 55 47 66 48 48 44 54 53 49 53 54 54 52 58 64 62 61 64 64 49 49 50 46 48 46 58 61 59 59 61 58
19 19 17 18 18 10 15 11 14 6 9 15 10 14 21 26 23 26 23 25 23 24 26 28 24 15 11 16 23 22 22 20 16 8 9 17 13 14 3 22 21 22 16 23 17 21 12 8 5 7 12 13 6 15 21 21 21 20 13 12 14 9 14 10 21 20 24 22 21 18 21 18 22 18 22 22
0.26 0.78 1.33 2.62 1.05 1.73 2.49 0.84 1.72 0.82 0.25 0.01 0.14 0.35 0.47 0.86 0.77 0.64 0.77 0.31 0.28 0.30 0.30 0.32 0.14 0.03 0.08 0.59 0.72 0.56 2.49 0.37 0.00 0.52 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.44 0.29 0.23 0.16 0.52 0.27 0.00 0.00 0.22 0.18 0.09 0.34 0.13 0.05 0.18 0.40 0.07 0.23 0.10 0.50 0.32 1.01 0.36 0.00 0.89 0.14 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.61 0.41 1.31 0.61 0.18 0.65
-0.36 -0.23 0.31 1.60 0.11 0.63 1.70 -0.30 0.79 0.25 -0.66 -0.90 -0.71 -0.60 0.01 0.33 0.34 0.18 0.28 -0.08 -0.07 0.11 -0.09 -0.05 -0.15 -1.23 -1.51 -0.87 0.03 0.02 1.69 -0.45 -0.23 0.35 -0.10 -0.07 -0.17 -0.10 0.24 -0.15 -0.25 -0.26 0.26 -0.19 -0.24 -0.23 -0.02 0.04 -0.11 0.15 -0.54 -0.91 0.04 -0.27 -0.56 -0.42 -0.45 -0.15 -0.73 -0.01 -0.52 -1.15 -0.06 -0.85 -0.17 -0.10 0.06 0.01 -0.18 -0.15 -0.09 -0.46 0.68 -0.02 -0.52 -0.06
0.26 0.75 0.63 1.31 0.49 1.54 2.46 0.84 1.72 0.60 0.25 0.01 0.07 0.28 0.47 0.74 0.77 0.64 0.77 0.31 0.28 0.30 0.29 0.20 0.13 0.03 0.08 0.48 0.55 0.49 1.34 0.37 0.00 0.27 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.21 0.29 0.23 0.16 0.52 0.26 0.00 0.00 0.22 0.18 0.05 0.31 0.12 0.03 0.18 0.27 0.07 0.13 0.06 0.49 0.16 0.97 0.20 0.00 0.67 0.14 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.34 0.24 0.52 0.37 0.17 0.34
0.75 2.96 3.00 4.15 2.90 2.52 4.05 1.15 3.44 1.46 1.69 0.93 1.08 1.51 1.70 1.59 2.10 1.41 1.80 2.12 0.77 0.48 0.46 0.32 0.19 3.01 5.45 2.55 1.60 1.20 2.90 0.50 0.10 0.57 0.01 0.25 0.12 0.04 0.54 0.30 0.23 0.16 0.52 0.27 0.00 0.00 0.52 0.18 0.11 0.46 1.40 0.46 0.18 1.37 1.32 0.92 0.62 1.69 1.64 2.97 0.86 1.99 2.10 2.19 0.03 0.04 0.39 0.44 0.02 0.08 2.02 1.43 2.27 1.75 0.90 1.54
55 120 122 171 127 94 219 41 150 110 80 43 54 69 163 138 219 140 165 249 107 120 58 43 33 103 145 73 99 97 157 27 20 146 4 125 26 12 113 32 23 18 91 28 0 0 93 49 21 110 90 21 58 89 88 61 48 114 65 121 41 74 91 92 8 21 74 110 5 24 123 71 155 118 57 97
4.38 11.72 9.63 9.98 8.64 15.83 20.86 7.67 10.19 7.42 7.45 5.89 4.75 5.96 5.18 6.79 6.72 5.02 6.77 4.88 2.55 2.02 2.53 2.52 2.00 15.31 17.78 11.91 5.01 4.39 7.24 3.81 0.95 0.84 0.53 1.14 0.73 0.59 3.01 1.50 2.48 2.07 1.87 2.62 1.02 2.46 2.41 0.24 2.25 1.75 5.64 4.68 0.84 4.63 5.61 7.06 6.07 6.98 7.08 6.55 4.53 10.45 6.00 6.12 0.81 0.47 1.92 1.33 0.46 0.48 7.85 8.36 7.74 7.46 6.90 7.67
136 121 106 111 89 113 196 54 92 117 80 68 51 64 125 144 176 123 138 87 96 107 96 103 104 117 118 89 90 119 115 61 51 60 59 141 44 51 130 69 106 93 127 103 62 192 118 15 85 94 82 51 68 75 86 99 107 113 68 66 52 84 61 58 61 47 102 80 30 38 122 109 124 120 106 120
95 81 89 88 93 100 92 93 90 89 88 85 81 89 89 85 89 84 84 86 74 87 78 91 90 94 96 91 91 90 78 87 57 91 73 67 66 67 83 86 95 84 89 92 62 80 48 32 67 60 94 78 41 81 73 83 80 86 95 88 86 93 90 94 76 68 76 90 88 81 83 87 83 88 83 90
75 38 63 51 54 57 68 66 55 58 58 55 55 47 42 46 52 53 61 34 51 37 50 65 43 50 64 60 50 50 58 61 21 41 31 36 26 44 67 42 64 51 29 64 27 34 30 23 41 45 52 55 9 45 42 47 47 42 52 37 37 63 46 42 35 18 45 47 35 36 48 62 45 62 47 46
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 2 1 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 1 1 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 7 2 6 6 5 0 1 0 5 0 5 0 1 0 2 3 3 1 1 2 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 5 4 3 4 4 5 1 0 0 1 0 0
1 3 4 4 4 3 3 1 1 4 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 4 1 0 5 1 1 2 1 4 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 4 2 2 4 3 4 0 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 2 4 3 2 4
*** Not Available
.50 INCH OR MORE
STATES AND STATIONS
PRECIP
0 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
March 20, 2012

Weather Data for the Week Ending March 17, 2012 TEMPERATURE F
9
PCT. NORMAL SINCE JAN01 TOTAL, IN., SINCE JAN01 AVERAGE MAXIMUM AVERAGE MINIMUM

PRECIPITATION
.01 INCH OR MORE
OK OR
PA
RI SC
SD
TN
TX
UT VT VA
WA
WV
WI
WY
TOLEDO YOUNGSTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY TULSA ASTORIA BURNS EUGENE MEDFORD PENDLETON PORTLAND SALEM ALLENTOWN ERIE MIDDLETOWN PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH WILKES-BARRE WILLIAMSPORT PROVIDENCE BEAUFORT CHARLESTON COLUMBIA GREENVILLE ABERDEEN HURON RAPID CITY SIOUX FALLS BRISTOL CHATTANOOGA KNOXVILLE MEMPHIS NASHVILLE ABILENE AMARILLO AUSTIN BEAUMONT BROWNSVILLE CORPUS CHRISTI DEL RIO EL PASO FORT WORTH GALVESTON HOUSTON LUBBOCK MIDLAND SAN ANGELO SAN ANTONIO VICTORIA WACO WICHITA FALLS SALT LAKE CITY BURLINGTON LYNCHBURG NORFOLK RICHMOND ROANOKE WASH/DULLES OLYMPIA QUILLAYUTE SEATTLE-TACOMA SPOKANE YAKIMA BECKLEY CHARLESTON ELKINS HUNTINGTON EAU CLAIRE GREEN BAY LA CROSSE MADISON MILWAUKEE CASPER CHEYENNE LANDER SHERIDAN
72 69 75 75 47 47 51 52 56 50 50 67 66 70 67 71 69 70 58 77 80 81 77 68 70 71 73 73 77 75 77 77 74 81 79 78 82 82 79 78 76 76 79 81 81 75 79 79 75 77 67 58 75 75 77 74 74 46 46 47 46 52 68 72 72 73 70 66 71 73 68 65 66 64 67
46 44 57 59 38 30 39 37 34 39 38 38 46 42 45 44 41 38 36 55 53 53 53 33 38 36 39 45 54 51 61 53 57 44 60 66 67 66 61 41 61 68 64 48 39 54 62 65 60 56 47 36 45 51 49 49 44 36 35 36 32 32 48 47 36 50 42 42 45 46 45 34 33 37 33
78 77 80 84 52 54 57 56 61 56 55 76 74 75 76 77 76 75 72 83 86 88 85 81 84 82 82 78 86 82 82 83 81 87 81 80 85 85 85 84 80 78 82 86 88 81 81 82 78 81 70 67 82 87 86 81 84 53 50 52 51 59 75 80 76 80 82 78 83 82 78 71 70 68 74
32 33 45 47 33 26 33 30 26 33 32 23 35 28 32 28 27 25 28 48 45 43 39 28 32 32 30 29 38 34 50 37 44 33 45 59 55 55 43 35 50 64 56 36 1 41 48 54 50 45 34 30 28 33 30 31 31 32 31 33 27 26 39 29 22 29 33 36 31 41 37 30 30 27 27
59 57 66 67 43 39 45 45 45 44 44 52 56 56 56 57 55 54 47 66 66 67 65 51 54 54 56 59 66 63 69 65 65 63 70 72 74 74 70 60 69 72 72 65 60 64 70 72 68 66 57 47 60 63 63 61 59 41 41 42 39 42 58 60 54 61 56 54 58 59 56 50 50 50 50
23 21 16 17 -3 2 -1 -2 0 -3 -2 14 21 16 14 18 18 17 9 9 9 12 14 22 23 20 25 13 15 14 16 16 9 16 9 10 6 8 7 4 12 9 10 15 5 8 9 9 10 13 14 17 15 15 16 15 17 -2 -3 -4 0 0 17 16 15 16 26 24 25 27 22 16 17 15 16
2.24 0.65 0.68 1.01 6.00 0.68 3.67 1.57 0.43 3.12 4.30 0.00 0.61 0.00 0.08 0.79 0.05 0.01 0.02 0.25 0.05 0.13 0.00 0.27 0.57 0.00 0.17 0.11 0.93 1.02 2.09 1.09 0.13 0.00 0.28 0.15 0.12 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.48 2.82 0.08 0.00 0.01 0.43 0.21 0.20 0.29 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.18 0.22 0.01 0.03 3.71 5.84 3.76 2.10 0.29 0.83 0.72 0.26 1.01 0.58 0.53 0.20 0.31 0.94 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1.70 -0.01 0.02 0.20 4.31 0.40 2.32 1.15 0.15 2.27 3.34 -0.80 -0.06 -0.74 -0.79 0.08 -0.52 -0.69 -0.95 -0.56 -0.86 -0.92 -1.26 0.00 0.22 -0.20 -0.20 -0.80 -0.52 -0.19 0.86 -0.04 -0.17 -0.24 -0.21 -0.68 -0.04 -0.18 -0.19 -0.05 -0.50 -0.13 2.08 -0.06 -0.09 -0.19 0.02 -0.29 -0.36 -0.21 -0.41 -0.11 -0.88 -0.76 -0.73 -0.86 -0.77 2.51 3.29 2.91 1.76 0.15 0.00 -0.19 -0.64 0.13 0.21 0.10 -0.18 -0.14 0.43 -0.19 -0.22 -0.25 -0.19
1.43 0.38 0.68 1.01 2.34 0.23 1.06 0.71 0.12 0.90 1.11 0.00 0.28 0.00 0.08 0.46 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.14 0.04 0.13 0.00 0.27 0.52 0.00 0.17 0.07 0.55 0.74 1.41 0.72 0.12 0.00 0.28 0.11 0.12 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.39 2.81 0.08 0.00 0.01 0.43 0.20 0.20 0.29 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.08 0.22 0.01 0.02 1.26 2.38 0.89 1.22 0.16 0.59 0.29 0.25 0.82 0.40 0.53 0.11 0.20 0.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
3.58 1.82 1.33 1.41 7.87 0.74 4.18 1.73 0.44 3.94 4.84 0.43 1.36 0.30 0.41 1.84 0.92 0.80 0.85 4.46 4.02 0.96 2.15 0.29 0.58 0.04 0.19 1.58 3.12 4.03 3.53 2.65 0.76 0.27 2.13 2.68 0.16 0.36 0.04 0.00 1.50 2.16 4.74 0.16 0.07 1.10 1.16 1.94 2.13 1.83 0.23 0.86 1.21 1.87 1.07 1.38 0.91 4.19 13.23 4.57 2.10 0.29 2.28 2.39 1.70 2.16 0.65 1.18 0.20 1.18 1.93 0.19 0.00 0.36 0.24
289 121 85 75 187 104 124 162 66 183 195 23 88 17 20 112 70 49 38 240 191 39 71 51 81 9 26 71 91 140 120 98 103 52 169 139 42 37 8 0 85 150 269 46 27 196 114 162 146 154 23 77 58 84 48 67 48 147 204 215 247 81 114 109 79 101 88 131 26 123 174 41 0 67 59
7.78 9.54 4.42 3.63 25.47 3.25 16.35 6.68 3.37 13.59 19.30 4.50 7.65 5.58 4.84 7.93 3.85 5.56 5.74 7.82 6.93 5.18 7.24 1.86 3.37 0.73 3.37 9.89 12.47 13.79 8.29 10.59 5.23 0.95 13.29 16.85 4.73 4.90 1.74 0.68 9.56 12.49 15.79 0.74 1.26 7.10 10.78 6.96 9.16 4.67 3.14 3.71 6.04 6.34 6.02 5.28 5.00 17.92 40.22 15.03 5.59 2.24 9.48 7.74 7.11 6.71 3.03 3.70 2.72 3.61 4.78 1.74 1.03 1.67 1.53
154 162 100 67 117 108 94 118 101 119 144 55 120 74 59 118 66 79 57 87 75 47 62 122 190 57 191 108 91 120 72 102 184 56 259 154 162 111 86 69 158 154 188 47 92 278 243 123 158 120 85 74 69 67 69 63 65 108 124 131 134 96 116 90 81 80 117 119 92 103 104 104 75 104 87
85 87 90 86 93 89 88 90 84 90 91 85 79 92 86 85 74 84 87 92 96 87 87 89 90 59 90 91 91 91 88 87 90 77 92 99 97 94 89 28 91 100 91 80 81 86 95 97 93 90 46 86 81 86 86 75 79 93 97 92 93 78 77 94 95 91 90 85 94 82 80 55 47 52 69
56 46 58 69 85 67 72 59 62 74 77 55 47 38 59 34 33 50 59 52 47 47 39 55 37 18 46 43 64 46 53 50 72 20 71 74 68 68 68 8 61 86 71 43 42 66 65 78 77 69 22 46 34 41 40 39 40 80 83 78 61 52 48 48 33 43 40 50 45 54 61 29 17 20 34
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 3 0 1 2 0 2 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 5 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 5 3 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 3 1 3
2 4 1 1 7 6 7 5 4 7 7 0 3 0 1 3 1 1 2 5 2 1 0 1 2 0 1 2 5 5 3 4 2 0 1 5 1 1 0 0 1 3 2 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 4 0 3 1 1 2 7 7 7 7 4 3 4 2 4 3 1 2 3 2 0 0 0 0
*** Not Available
.50 INCH OR MORE
STATES AND STATIONS
PRECIP
2 0 1 1 5 0 4 1 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 4 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
10
March 20, 2012
Winter Weather Review

Review provided by USDA/WAOB Highlights: The winter of 2011-12 featured little in the way of sustained cold, especially east of the Rockies. However, even in a winter without much cold weather, Floridas peninsula endured a brief freeze on January 4-5 and several other minor cool snaps. Farther north, winter wheat largely escaped without significant cold-season damage, despite a general lack of snow cover and occasional high winds. Nevertheless, the southern High Plains wheat crop, not to mention rangeland and pastures, continued to suffer from aftereffects of the historic drought of 2011. Meanwhile, precipitation was considerably below normal across much of the western U.S., except for unexpectedly heavy December rain and snow in the Southwest and periods of mid- to late-winter storminess in the Northwest. Drier-thannormal conditions also plagued parts of the Atlantic Coast States, which led to worsening drought across the lower Southeast. Notable winter wetness was generally confined to the nations mid-section, stretching from portions of the central and southern Plains into the Ohio Valley. According to preliminary information provided by the National Climatic Data Center, the meteorological winter of 2011-12 was overall mild and dry. In fact, it was the fourthwarmest, 20th-driest winter on record. The only warmer December-February periods occurred in 1999-2000, 199899, and 1991-92. It was the nations driest winter since 2001-02. The contiguous states winter average temperature of 36.8F was 3.9F above the historic mean, while the average precipitation of 5.70 inches was 88 percent of normal. State temperature rankings ranged from the 41stcoolest winter in New Mexico to the second-warmest winter in Delaware, New York, and five of the six New England states (figure 1). Top-ten values for winter warmth were observed in twenty other states from the Dakotas into the Midwest and East. Elsewhere, top-ten winter wetness was confined to Kansas, while top-ten values for dryness were Figure 1 Figure 2
observed in California, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon (figure 2). California experienced its second-driest winter on record, behind 1976-77. December: During December, mostly dry weather prevailed from the Pacific Coast into the north-central United States. In California and neighboring areas, extremely dry conditions stunted pasture growth and raised concerns about sub-par spring and summer runoff from meager mountain snow packs. On the northern Plains, mild, dry weather left winter wheat exposed to potential weather extremes. In contrast, widespread precipitation boosted high-elevation snow packs and benefited winter wheat and droughtdamaged pastures and rangeland from Arizona to the southern half of the Plains. Wetness also extended into parts of the Midwest, where producers in the eastern Corn Belt continued to wait for fields to freeze before being able to proceed with final corn harvest efforts. Elsewhere, highly variable conditions existed across the Southeast, ranging from wet weather in the Mid-South to dryness in the southern Atlantic region and along the central Gulf Coast. January: The year without a winter gained momentum in January, with the majority of the continental United States reporting above-normal temperatures. Monthly temperatures averaged more than 10F degrees F above normal in parts of the north-central U.S., while near- to slightly below-normal temperature were confined to southern Florida and the Pacific Northwest.
March 20, 2012
11
Nevertheless, cold weather caused some concerns during January. For example, an early-month freeze damaged some vegetables and other temperature-sensitive crops across Floridas peninsula on January 4-5. Later, a midJanuary cold spell resulted in sub-zero readings across the northern Plains. At the time of the initial cold blast, the northern High Plains winter wheat crop had no protective snow cover. Much of the Plains wheat belt also experienced drier-thannormal conditions during January, although an earlyFebruary snow storm provided much-needed moisture across central portions of the region. On both the northern and southern High Plains, mild, mostly dry, windy weather reduced wheats winter hardiness. In contrast, periods of heavy rain provided some drought relief across the southeastern Plains, including central and northeastern Texas. Farther northeast, slowly developing drought in the upper Midwest contrasted with unfavorably soggy conditions in parts of the eastern Corn Belt. In some of the wettest areas of the lower Midwest, numerous freeze-thaw cyclescombined with excessive soil moisturewere detrimental to the health of soft red winter wheat. Meanwhile, drought remained a concern across much of the Deep South as the spring planting season approached. In fact, drought intensified during January in the southern Atlantic region, where mostly dry weather and occasional freezes resulted in the deterioration of pasture conditions. Elsewhere, drought also expanded in the West, particularly from California to the Intermountain region. Despite a week of wet weather (from January 17-23), the Sierra Nevada ended the month with prospects fo r a normal season
diminishing. The average water content of the highelevation Sierra Nevada snow pack stood at 6 inches on January 31, less than 40 percent of average. Areas to the north, from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies, fared better during January, with periods of heavy rain and snow. February: Most areas east of the Rockies completed a fourth consecutive month with above-normal temperatures, capping a winter with only fleeting periods of cold weather. February warmth was especially prevalent across the eastern half of the nation, where pastures, winter grains, and fruit crops exhibited earlier-than-normal spring development. Meanwhile, portions of the West moved closer to a failed winter wet season, with California and the Great Basin expecting significantly below-average spring and summer runoff. However, much of the Westexcluding Arizona and New Mexicohas a temporary buffer against developing drought in the form of abundant reservoir storage. Farther east, the Plains escaped the winter without a severe cold wave, although moisture shortages and a lack of a protective snow cover caused some problems for winter wheat. In particular, the southern High Plains suffered through several February dust storms, a byproduct of high winds and soil moisture depleted by the historic drought of 2011. Elsewhere, late-February storminess eased dry conditions in the upper Midwest and provided snow across the nations northern tier, while damaging thunderstorms and heavy rains swept across parts of the South, East, and lower Midwest. However, most of the late-month rain bypassed Floridas parched peninsula.
Warmest Winter on Record, Selected Locations

Location Jackson, KY Trenton, NY Dulles Airport, VA Mt. Pocono, PA Fargo, ND Avg. Temperature (F) 41.6 40.5 40.1 31.2 22.1 Previous Record / Year 41.2 in 1998-99 40.3 in 1931-32 39.8 in 2001-02 30.4 in 1931-32 22.1 in 1986-87
12
March 20, 2012
March 20, 2012
13
14
March 20, 2012
March 20, 2012
Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Weather Data for Selected Cities
Winter 2011/12
Data Provided by Climate Prediction Center (301-763-8000, Ext. 7503)
TEMP, F
DEPARTURE
15
PRECIP.
DEPARTURE
TEMP, F
DEPARTURE
PRECIP.
DEPARTURE
TEMP, F
DEPARTURE
PRECIP.
DEPARTURE
3.49 3.37 3.16 1.12 4.81 0.21 -2.31 -5.44 -0.73 -5.11 -1.58 -0.82 -2.80 0.39 -1.40 3.01 -0.47 -0.77 0.63 -1.05 0.04 4.05 -3.12 -6.84 -6.55 -5.16 -3.46 -6.94 0.56 1.59 -0.25 2.26 2.10 0.82 -0.74 1.60 -0.92 -0.01 3.03 0.43 9.73 3.88 2.47 6.58 0.50 5.57 0.40 -0.19 4.52 4.98 0.22 1.06 4.07 7.09 -0.58 4.90 -0.08 -0.99 -1.03 -0.43 -4.27 -2.67 -1.08 -0.34 -3.18 -5.61 -2.23 -1.08 -1.06 1.93 -0.98 -0.92 -1.79 0.71 0.29 0.52 0.47 -0.64 0.62 0.42 0.11 0.61 -0.15
AVERAGE
AVERAGE
AVERAGE
STATES AND STATIONS

AL BIRMINGHAM HUNTSVILLE MOBILE MONTGOMERY AK ANCHORAGE BARROW COLD BAY FAIRBANKS JUNEAU KING SALMON KODIAK NOME AZ FLAGSTAFF PHOENIX TUCSON AR FORT SMITH LITTLE ROCK CA BAKERSFIELD EUREKA FRESNO LOS ANGELES REDDING SACRAMENTO SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO STOCKTON CO ALAMOSA CO SPRINGS DENVER GRAND JUNCTION PUEBLO CT BRIDGEPORT HARTFORD DC DE FL WASHINGTON WILMINGTON DAYTONA BEACH FT LAUDERDALE FT MYERS JACKSONVILLE KEY WEST MELBOURNE MIAMI ORLANDO PENSACOLA ST PETERSBURG TALLAHASSEE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH GA ATHENS ATLANTA AUGUSTA COLUMBUS MACON SAVANNAH HI HILO HONOLULU KAHULUI LIHUE ID BOISE LEWISTON POCATELLO IL CHICAGO/O'HARE MOLINE PEORIA ROCKFORD SPRINGFIELD IN EVANSVILLE FORT WAYNE INDIANAPOLIS SOUTH BEND IA BURLINGTON CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES DUBUQUE SIOUX CITY WATERLOO KS CONCORDIA DODGE CITY GOODLAND HILL CITY TOPEKA WICHITA KY JACKSON
STATES AND STATIONS

LEXINGTON LONDON-CORBIN LOUISVILLE PADUCAH LA BATON ROUGE LAKE CHARLES NEW ORLEANS SHREVEPORT ME BANGOR CARIBOU PORTLAND MD MA BALTIMORE BOSTON WORCESTER MI ALPENA DETROIT FLINT GRAND RAPIDS HOUGHTON LAKE LANSING MUSKEGON TRAVERSE CITY MN DULUTH INT'L FALLS MINNEAPOLIS ROCHESTER ST. CLOUD MS JACKSON MERIDIAN TUPELO MO COLUMBIA JOPLIN KANSAS CITY SPRINGFIELD ST JOSEPH ST LOUIS MT BILLINGS BUTTE GLASGOW GREAT FALLS HELENA KALISPELL MILES CITY MISSOULA NE GRAND ISLAND HASTINGS LINCOLN MCCOOK NORFOLK NORTH PLATTE OMAHA/EPPLEY SCOTTSBLUFF VALENTINE NV ELKO ELY LAS VEGAS RENO WINNEMUCCA NH NJ CONCORD ATLANTIC CITY NEWARK NM NY ALBUQUERQUE ALBANY BINGHAMTON BUFFALO ROCHESTER SYRACUSE NC ASHEVILLE CHARLOTTE GREENSBORO HATTERAS RALEIGH WILMINGTON ND BISMARCK DICKINSON FARGO GRAND FORKS JAMESTOWN MINOT WILLISTON OH AKRON-CANTON CINCINNATI CLEVELAND
STATES AND STATIONS

COLUMBUS DAYTON MANSFIELD TOLEDO YOUNGSTOWN OK OKLAHOMA CITY TULSA OR ASTORIA BURNS EUGENE MEDFORD PENDLETON PORTLAND SALEM PA ALLENTOWN ERIE MIDDLETOWN PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH WILKES-BARRE WILLIAMSPORT PR RI SC SAN JUAN PROVIDENCE CHARLESTON COLUMBIA FLORENCE GREENVILLE MYRTLE BEACH SD ABERDEEN HURON RAPID CITY SIOUX FALLS TN BRISTOL CHATTANOOGA JACKSON KNOXVILLE MEMPHIS NASHVILLE TX ABILENE AMARILLO AUSTIN BEAUMONT BROWNSVILLE COLLEGE STATION CORPUS CHRISTI DALLAS/FT WORTH DEL RIO EL PASO GALVESTON HOUSTON LUBBOCK MIDLAND SAN ANGELO SAN ANTONIO VICTORIA WACO WICHITA FALLS UT VT VA SALT LAKE CITY BURLINGTON LYNCHBURG NORFOLK RICHMOND ROANOKE WASH/DULLES WA OLYMPIA QUILLAYUTE SEATTLE-TACOMA SPOKANE YAKIMA WV BECKLEY CHARLESTON ELKINS HUNTINGTON WI EAU CLAIRE GREEN BAY LA CROSSE MADISON MILWAUKEE WAUSAU WY CASPER CHEYENNE LANDER SHERIDAN
TOTAL
TOTAL
50 47 57 53 17 -14 25 -5 32 12 27 0 31 57 53 46 47 51 45 49 57 48 48 57 51 47 20 32 31 32 32 38 35 43 39 63 71 69 58 73 65 71 64 58 66 57 66 69 49 50 50 53 51 55 72 75 73 73 35 36 28 33 32 33 30 36 40 32 36 32 33 29 32 28 28 28 35 35 32 33 38 38 42
5 5 5 4 0 -1 -4 2 4 -4 -3 -7 0 1 0 5 4 2 -3 2 0 1 0 -1 1 0 2 3 1 3 1 6 7 5 5 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 4 3 4 4 2 5 5 3 4 4 4 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 8 7 7 7 7 6 5 6 6 7 7 8 7 6 8 5 2 2 3 7 5 5
14.10 17.72 11.37 11.45 5.83 1.01 16.34 2.06 17.65 3.88 18.04 3.44 3.57 1.10 2.25 10.04 14.33 0.73 12.61 2.13 1.98 7.62 3.62 2.45 2.95 2.25 0.61 0.77 1.94 1.15 1.47 8.26 9.43 9.42 9.07 4.88 2.98 2.23 3.07 6.40 4.57 4.63 4.07 15.94 4.17 10.55 3.16 5.10 8.50 11.79 3.80 14.12 8.75 5.25 35.85 2.80 0.08 14.90 3.75 2.81 2.46 6.15 5.31 5.82 4.60 5.69 11.18 8.87 9.96 7.89 4.99 4.43 4.72 5.24 3.54 4.85 4.47 3.16 0.92 1.23 6.15 7.32 12.93
-0.03 1.66 -4.14 -4.01 3.36 0.66 6.34 0.40 3.41 0.74 -3.49 0.76 -3.00 -1.42 -0.65 1.69 2.68 -2.42 -5.22 -3.49 -5.90 -9.04 -6.21 -3.18 -8.40 -4.74 -0.18 -0.28 1.17 -0.47 0.49 -1.86 -0.97 0.53 -0.57 -3.70 -5.31 -3.68 -6.41 0.53 -2.71 -1.50 -3.02 1.95 -4.06 -3.54 -4.08 -4.34 -4.29 -1.73 -7.95 0.46 -4.73 -4.43 6.75 -5.13 -9.10 2.27 -0.16 -0.33 -0.79 0.34 0.02 0.25 -0.21 -0.27 1.63 2.11 2.04 0.55 0.04 0.80 1.17 0.85 1.67 1.85 2.22 1.11 -0.35 -0.31 2.60 4.11 1.42
39 40 41 42 57 58 60 52 26 18 30 40 37 33 27 33 31 32 27 31 33 30 21 17 26 26 23 52 51 48 38 41 36 39 35 40 31 23 23 30 27 28 28 28 31 30 30 31 29 29 31 29 29 29 29 50 37 30 29 41 40 38 31 30 32 32 33 43 46 45 52 47 51 23 24 22 19 22 24 22 34 37 35
4 3 5 6 5 5 6 3 5 5 5 5 5 7 7 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 9 10 9 10 10 5 3 5 7 5 6 4 5 7 4 4 8 6 4 4 7 3 6 3 4 2 6 3 6 2 5 1 2 1 2 -2 6 7 6 0 6 6 5 6 8 5 2 5 4 5 3 9 6 11 9 9 10 9 6 4 7
11.05 11.01 11.04 13.03 16.13 21.50 7.82 14.63 7.35 9.28 9.27 9.46 7.64 9.61 4.48 7.70 5.85 7.79 5.72 5.83 7.30 4.26 2.33 2.03 3.06 3.41 2.21 18.97 17.74 15.12 6.92 5.50 6.22 6.14 5.00 7.46 1.06 0.56 1.24 0.81 1.90 3.15 0.98 3.04 2.31 2.81 3.83 0.96 2.70 1.67 4.06 1.36 2.66 1.45 2.11 0.20 2.14 1.30 8.32 8.38 8.73 1.86 7.02 7.40 9.76 7.96 7.77 10.55 6.99 6.69 11.62 5.95 4.51 1.25 0.55 1.89 1.54 0.70 0.49 0.58 10.58 13.45 10.43
0.41 -1.03 0.82 1.25 -0.42 8.10 -8.59 1.27 -1.86 1.06 -2.20 -0.38 -3.31 -1.36 -0.46 1.40 0.75 1.53 1.11 0.60 0.86 -3.17 -0.56 -0.15 0.23 0.70 0.17 3.46 1.16 -0.82 0.52 -1.55 2.12 -1.42 1.55 0.18 -0.99 -0.97 0.26 -1.05 0.54 -1.12 -0.31 0.06 0.43 0.86 1.64 -0.71 0.72 0.37 1.57 -0.32 1.55 -1.50 0.12 -1.48 -0.86 -0.96 0.03 -1.22 -1.78 0.44 -0.31 -0.67 0.38 0.85 -0.06 -0.73 -3.74 -3.01 -2.72 -4.58 -7.45 -0.15 -0.59 -0.03 -0.27 -0.88 -1.32 -0.92 2.83 4.50 2.52
36 34 33 33 33 43 44 42 29 40 39 35 41 41 36 34 37 40 35 34 34 78 36 54 51 51 47 51 23 26 29 26 42 46 44 45 48 44 48 39 53 59 65 56 62 50 54 47 60 58 42 46 49 56 58 51 46 33 28 41 48 44 43 40 38 41 41 31 32 38 40 36 40 24 27 27 29 31 24 26 28 24 27
5 5 6 6 5 4 5 -1 3 -1 -1 0 0 0 6 5 6 5 5 5 6 1 5 4 5 4 4 3 8 8 4 8 6 4 3 5 5 4 2 1 1 5 4 4 4 3 1 0 3 4 2 1 2 4 3 3 3 2 7 4 6 5 5 6 -1 0 -1 2 1 5 4 5 4 8 8 7 8 7 7 2 1 2 3
11.15 11.34 11.22 7.57 12.14 4.94 3.67 22.45 2.86 17.18 5.89 3.33 12.16 17.78 8.24 11.55 8.54 8.80 8.56 6.04 8.44 13.94 8.84 3.56 5.33 5.42 9.05 3.67 1.90 3.03 0.98 3.80 12.41 15.88 13.20 14.67 13.31 12.19 6.40 2.22 16.05 18.17 6.12 15.51 5.71 12.41 2.68 1.42 14.74 15.33 2.10 2.82 7.00 12.46 6.37 11.99 4.29 2.94 5.08 9.44 6.03 6.98 8.09 8.55 18.42 34.89 12.70 4.50 2.29 11.21 8.78 9.15 7.88 3.58 3.92 3.93 4.66 5.08 3.94 2.26 1.46 2.28 1.87
*** Not Available
TOTAL
16
March 20, 2012
National Agricultural Summary

March 12 18, 2012
Weekly National Agricultural Summary provided by USDA/NASS
Warmer-than-normal weather continued to provide excellent conditions for spring fieldwork and crop development across much of the nation during the week. With temperatures more than 15F above average from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Coast, producers in many areas were planting their spring crops ahead of the normal pace. Precipitation was limited to locations west of the Rocky Mountains, as well as portions of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys and the Delta. Most notably, storm systems dumped precipitation totaling 6 inches or more on many locations in northern California. In Florida, warm weather and limited rainfall promoted an aggressive fieldwork pace for row crop, fruit, and vegetable producers. Peanut producers were planting fields in Levy County. Light harvesting of blueberries was underway, with volumes expected to increase in the coming weeks. Strawberry harvest slowed as the season drew to a close. In northern portions of the state, watermelon planting gained speed. Valencia harvest increased. Citrus growers continued orchard maintenance activities, including irrigation, hedging and topping, and care of young trees. Parts of Texas received rain during the week, with eastern locations receiving up to 2 inches. Warm, showery weather aided oat and wheat development in most regions, with fields in central and southern Texas beginning to head. Small grain producers in these areas were busy scouting fields for signs of fungus and insects, following wet weather. Winter wheat on the High Plains remained drought-stressed and was in need of moisture. Corn and sorghum was being planted in many areas, although fieldwork in the Blacklands was delayed due to soggy conditions. Statewide, cotton producers
were applying herbicides ahead of planting, with limited acreage planted in the Lower Valley. Pecan trees from the Low Plains to East Texas were budding, and fruit trees were in bloom. Orchards in the Trans-Pecos were being irrigated, and chilies were being planted. In the Lower Valley, spring onions, as well as citrus, sugarcane, and vegetables, continued to be harvested. Temperatures in Arizona were mostly above average, with precipitation recorded at 14 of the 21 reporting weather stations. Despite recent moisture, over half of all range and pastureland remained in very poor or poor condition. Alfalfa hay harvest was currently active in approximately three-quarters of the states fields, with conditions reported as mostly fair to good. Cotton planting was active in western portions of the state. Vegetable growers in central and western locations continued to ship a variety of crops. With the exception of a late-week storm system, southern California remained dry, while northern portions of the state received widespread precipitation. Small grains continued to show good growth in northern fields and irrigated southern fields. Development in dryland fields in the south was lagging. Heavy rains in the riceproducing area of the state hampered some paddy draining, but ground preparation and fertilization continued. Bed formation and herbicide application continued in preparation for cotton planting. Most fruit trees were blooming, and growers made bloom sprays to control fungus. Petal fall was evident in early varieties of stone fruits and almonds. Blueberries were blooming, and bees were present to aid with pollination. A variety of citrus crops and vegetables were harvested.
Average Soil Temperature ( F, 4" Bare)

March 11 - 17, 2012
41 42 48 43 41 45 40 40 37 32 43 43 34 33 42 43 4049 36 32 36 33 35 40 42 39 41 38 37 36 34 31 323534 35 44 4135 37 35 33 34 34 34 35 36 41 39 36 41 36 38 34 39 3737 36 42 43 3636 43 39 35 38 37 40 4037 39 43 4140 33 41 38 40 39 49 43 41 41 49 49 47 49 49 50 40 51 54 49 45
47 46
34 3641 40
39 32 39 45
33 35 48 53 50 48 53 51 49 51 49 47 49 51 49 50 51 50 49 48 50 50 5351 50 56 43 32
46
44 45 39 45
48 45 33 35 49
47 50 40 50 47 49 53 50 49 43 48 50 50 50 5240 52 49 49 56 50 49 31 45 47 50 48 52 51 34 47 49 46 5150 49 54 53 47 56 51 55 50 51 50 53 49 52 54 48 52 57 47 49 52 5549 57 54 59 47 56 5555 56 56 55 52 49 49 54 55 5657 5556 56 63 52 57 5756 58 49 5959 48 52 53 57 5961 56 48 56 58 54 58 53 58 56 55 57 57 4948 47 55 57 5657 51 56 57 62 5656 56 5657 64 62 56 57 57 57 57 59 57 5758585758 61 59 6260 50 51 57 56 57 61 58 58 52 5956 58 48 62 63 54 59 58 53 58 62 54 50 59 54 55 64 61 59 60 61 58 545858 58 61 64 56 59 65 62 6056 65 63 61 55 57 43 49 46 62 57 58 67 65
48 50 48
< 35
47
35 40 45
57
56
50 55
55 58 63
60 65 70 75
65 68 72
40 F Wheat can develop 50 F Corn can develop 60 F Cotton can develop
> 80
Based on preliminary data
NOAA/USDA JOINT AGRICULTURAL WEATHER FACILITY

Supplemental data provided by Alabama A&M University, Bureau of Reclamation - Pacific Northwest Region AgriMet Program, High Plains Regional Climate Center, Illinois State Water Survey, Iowa State University, Louisiana Agriclimatic Information System, Mississippi State Univeristy, Oklahoma Mesonet, Purdue University, University of Missouri and USDA/NRCS Soil Climate Analysis Network.
March 20, 2012
17
International Weather and Crop Summary

March 11-17, 2012
International Weather and Crop Highlights and Summaries provided by USDA/WAOB
HIGHLIGHTS
EUROPE: Dry, mild conditions prevailed across the continent, intensifying drought on the Iberian Peninsula while easing crops out of dormancy in Germany and western Poland. WESTERN FSU: Mild weather in Belarus and Ukraine contrasted with cold, snowy conditions in Russia. MIDDLE EAST: Widespread rain and snow across the northern half of the region maintained favorable moisture reserves for winter grains. NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Dry weather expanded across the region, increasing concerns for winter crops in Morocco while favoring adequately watered winter grains in eastern growing areas. SOUTH ASIA: Heat began to build across India as the subcontinent transitioned into the summer season. EAST ASIA: Winter wheat began breaking dormancy across the North China Plain. SOUTHEAST ASIA: Drier weather favored rice harvesting in Java, Indonesia. AUSTRALIA: A pocket of mostly dry weather in eastern Australia favored summer crop drydown and harvesting, while showers in surrounding areas slowed maturation. SOUTH AFRICA: Scattered showers brought localized relief from warmth and dryness. ARGENTINA: Warm, showery weather maintained adequate to abundant levels of moisture for late-planted corn and soybeans. BRAZIL: Unseasonable warmth and dryness persisted in southern production areas, hastening soybean harvesting but limiting moisture for second-season corn.
Mild & Dry (Europe) Drought Intensifies (Iberian Peninsula) Dry
Mild, Belarus & Ukraine; Russia Cold & Snowy (Western FSU) Rain & Snow Hot
Wheat Greening
Showers (C Brazil) Warm, Showery Weather Continues (C Argentina) Warm & Dry (S Brazil) Scattered Showers Dry Weather Aids Rice Harvesting (Java, Indonesia)
Dryness Favors Summer Crop Harvests
For additional information contact: mbrusberg@oce.usda.gov
18
March 20, 2012
EUROPE
Dry, mild weather expanded across the continent, worsening drought in Spain while further easing winter crops out of dormancy in the north. Under sunny skies, temperatures averaged 2 to 6C above normal over most major growing areas. Weekly average temperatures topped 5C in Poland and the northern Balkans, and reached 8 to 10C in Germany. Consequently, winter crops have broken dormancy in Germany and are easing out of dormancy in western Poland and the northern Danube River Valley. In Spain, a lack of rain further
reduced prospects for vegetative (north) to reproductive (south) winter wheat and barley. However, showers were developing on the Iberian Peninsula as of March 19, although the amount and coverage will be vital in determining the amount of drought relief and crop benefit the rain brings (additional information will appear in next weeks Bulletin). In Italy, dry weather maintained high irrigation demands for vegetative winter wheat in the north, while soil moisture in central and southern Italy remained favorable due to recent rain.
March 20, 2012
19
WESTERN FSU
Increasingly mild conditions in the west contrasted with persistent cold in central and eastern crops districts. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4C above normal in Belarus and western Ukraine, melting the remaining snow cover in these areas and reducing cold hardiness. In Russia, temperatures averaged up to 7C below normal, which coupled with a fresh snow fall kept crops dormant beneath a moderate to deep snowpack (20-30 cm, locally more). However, central and
western portions of the Southern District are snow free, leaving winter crops exposed to nighttime temperatures as low as -16C; despite the cold, temperatures were not low enough to cause widespread winterkill, although some localized burnback was possible. Light to moderate precipitation (5-15 mm) fell from Belarus and northern Ukraine into central and northern Russia, with western rain contrasting with snow in Russia.
20
March 20, 2012
MIDDLE EAST
Unsettled, cool weather maintained mostly favorable prospects for winter grains. Precipitation totaled 10 to 110 mm (liquid equivalent) from Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean Coast into northern portions of Iraq and Iran. At weeks end, a moderate to deep snowpack remained in place from central and eastern Turkey into northern Iran, although the central
Anatolia Plateau is now snow free. Consequently, soil moisture remained adequate for heading (south) to dormant (north) winter crops. Temperatures averaged 2 to 5C below normal across the northern half of the region, while milder conditions (up to 3C above normal) accelerated crop development in southern Iran.
March 20, 2012
21
NORTHWESTERN AFRICA
Dry weather expanded across the region, favoring eastern winter crops but worsening crop prospects in Morocco. In Morocco, a lack of rain since late January continued to reduce soil moisture for reproductive winter grains, with
rain needed soon to prevent widespread yield reductions. Meanwhile sunny skies returned to the eastern half of the region following last weeks heavy rain, promoting crop development.
22
March 20, 2012
SOUTH ASIA
Abundant spring sunshine initiated the heating of the Indian subcontinent, typical for late March. Maximum temperatures crept into the upper 30s (degrees C) across nearly all the Indian states, with a few reports of 40C predominantly in Maharashtra. Winter wheat and rapeseed harvesting was well
underway and little affected by the heat. The hot, dry air was in fact beneficial for drydown of winter crops which also include rabi rice in the east. The heating that occurs regularly at this time of year is essential in establishing the summer monsoon later on.
March 20, 2012
23
EASTERN ASIA
Showers passed through winter crop areas of eastern China during the latter half of the week. On the North China Plain, 1 to 10 mm of rain dampened soils for winter wheat that was beginning to break dormancy. Similar amounts of rainfall occurred in southern China, where the weather warmed sufficiently weekly temperatures averaging over
10C to promote early double-crop rice transplanting. Higher rainfall totals (10-50 mm) prevailed in the eastern Yangtze Valley, benefiting winter rapeseed beginning to flower. Additionally, temperatures surpassing 10C in eastern Sichuan and western Hubei encouraged spring corn planting.
24
March 20, 2012
SOUTHEAST ASIA
In Indonesia, drier weather across central Java favored rice harvesting, with heavy rain (25-75 mm) occurring outside major producing areas. Seasonable amounts of rainfall (25100 mm) in Sumatra maintained beneficial soil moisture for oil palm, while in Kalimantan, nearly 200 mm of rain slowed oil palm harvesting. In Malaysia meanwhile, showers were generally seasonable (50-100 mm), causing few harvest delays of oil palm. In the Philippines, 25 to over 150 mm of rain maintained abundant moisture supplies
for rice and corn in eastern and southern growing areas. Light showers (less than 10 mm) in northern Vietnam favored vegetative spring rice, while mostly dry conditions in southern Vietnam continued to benefit spring rice harvesting. Elsewhere in Indochina, an unseasonable dousing of rainfall upwards of 50 mm in Thailand provided an early boost to northern reservoir levels. Farmers are between cropping seasons with the next season beginning in early May.
March 20, 2012
25
AUSTRALIA
In southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, mostly dry weather (less than 5 mm) near the border region favored summer crop dry down and harvesting. Surrounding this region, showers (5-25 mm or more)
benefited immature cotton and sorghum but hampered the maturation of earlier sown summer crops. Temperatures averaged near to below normal (up to 2C below normal).
26
March 20, 2012
SOUTH AFRICA
Showers increased from the previous week in some locales, offering partial relief from an extended period of untimely warmth and dryness. Northern sections of the corn belt (portions of North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, as well as outlying areas in Limpopo) recorded rainfall of 10 to 25 mm or more, although the continuation of near- to abovenormal temperatures (daytime highs in the upper 20s and lower 30s degrees C) maintained high evapotranspiration rates. Drier conditions persisted in Free State and neighboring locations of southern Mpumalanga and
northwestern KwaZulu-Natal, where accumulations fell below 10 mm. Meanwhile, locally heavy showers (25-50 mm, locally 100 mm) along the eastern Indian Coast boosted moisture for sugarcane in key production areas of KwaZulu-Natal and northeastern sections of Eastern Cape. In Western Cape, unseasonably heavy rain (10-50 mm or more) was untimely for harvests of tree and vine fruit in some southern farming areas, but the rain ushered in a seasonably cooler air mass, bringing some relief from early week temperatures that approached 40C.
March 20, 2012
27
ARGENTINA
A general pattern of warm, showery weather continued, maintaining adequate to abundant moisture for late-sown corn and soybeans but causing some delays in seasonal fieldwork. Rainfall totaled 25 to more than 50 mm over most of Buenos Aires and in neighboring locations of La Pampa, Cordoba, Santa Fe, and Entre Rios; these amounts were below those recorded last week but still averaged near to above normal. After a brief period of lingering heat (highs reaching the lower and middle 30s degrees C), seasonably cooler conditions prevailed, with daytime highs mostly in the middle and upper
20s. As a result, weekly average temperatures were near to slightly above normal. Farther north, somewhat lighter rain fell, with most areas recording below-normal rainfall (amounts generally totaling 10-25 mm). In addition, weekly average temperatures were 2 to 3C above normal across the region, with several days of high temperatures near 40C maintaining stress on livestock and immature summer crops. According to Argentinas Ministry of Agriculture, sunflowers were 56 percent harvested, 17 points ahead of last weeks pace but still lagging last year (60 percent).
28
March 20, 2012
BRAZIL
Unseasonable warmth and dryness persisted throughout much of the south, fostering rapid drydown and harvesting of soybeans but further reducing moisture available to emerging winter-grown (safrinha) corn. Rainfall totaled less than 25 mm in key production areas of Rio Grande do Sul, Parana, and Mato Grosso do Sul; the midweek showers ended a brief period of stressful warmth (highs of 35-37C), though rainfall amounts were not sufficient to significantly improve safrinha corn prospects. Similarly, early week heat gave way to somewhat heavier rain (local showers in excess of 50 mm) in Paraguay. Meanwhile, scattered showers (1025 mm or more) brought some relief to sugarcane and other
crops in western Sao Paulo, following more than a week of warmer- and drier-than-normal conditions. Farther north, seasonably heavy rain (25-50 mm or more) returned from Mato Grosso eastward through southern Minas Gerais, increasing moisture for safrinha corn, coffee, and other regionally important crops. However, mostly dry, unseasonably warm weather (weekly average temperatures 1-2C or more above normal, with highs in excess of 35C) continued over parts of the northeast, including the area in and around western Bahia. Although the dryness was timely for soybean harvesting, additional moisture would be welcome for cotton and other later-maturing crops.
March 20, 2012
29
February International Temperature and Precipitation Maps
EUROPE
Sharply colder February weather threatened exposed winter grains and oilseeds in northern portions of France, Germany, and Poland. Bitter cold was also reported in the Balkans, although a deep snowpack protected dormant winter wheat and rapeseed. Elsewhere in southern Europe, a hard freeze was accompanied by historic snow in typically mild portions of the central Mediterranean, posing a risk to unharvested citrus and
other temperature-sensitive specialty crops. Meanwhile, drought intensified on the Iberian Peninsula, reducing yield prospects for late-vegetative winter wheat and barley. Drierthan-normal conditions also expanded into France, Germany, and England, lowering soil moisture for spring growth. Winter crops in France and western Germany broke dormancy at months end.
30
March 20, 2012
WESTERN FSU
Bitterly cold weather persisted over winter grain areas during February, although most crops were protected by a deep snowpack. Winter wheat in southern Ukraine may have suffered some freeze damage or burnback with the arrival of arctic air due to an initially shallow snow cover. Above-
normal precipitation in Belarus, Russia, and northern and western Ukraine boosted moisture reserves for spring growth. In contrast, drier-than-normal weather (40-80 percent of normal) returned to east-central Ukraine, lowering moisture reserves for spring growth.
March 20, 2012
31
EASTERN FSU
In February, bitterly cold, dry weather prevailed over Kazakhstan and Russia. Temperatures averaged up to 11C below normal in eastern Kazakhstan and southwestern portions of the Siberia District, with nighttime readings plunging below -40C. This is not a primary winter crop
area, although any planted winter grains were protected from the cold by a deep snowpack. Meanwhile, rain and mountain snow (10-100 mm liquid equivalent) boosted irrigation reserves and mountain snowpacks across the south.
32
March 20, 2012
MIDDLE EAST
Much-needed rain and snow overspread the region during February, boosting soil moisture for dormant (north) to vegetative (south) winter wheat and barley. Precipitation totaled locally more than 200 percent of normal in Turkey and northeastern Iran, while a pocket of unfavorable
dryness (less than 25 percent of normal) persisted in northwestern Iran. Winter crops in Turkey were insulated from incursions of cold by a deep snowpack. Overall, wheat and barley prospects remained favorable heading into the spring.
March 20, 2012
33
NORTHWESTERN AFRICA
In February, above-normal rainfall in Tunisia and Algeria contrasted with developing dryness in Morocco. The eastern rainfall - which totaled locally more than 200 mm caused some flooding but was overall beneficial for
vegetative winter grains. Temperatures were consistently below normal, with hard freezes posing a risk to tillering wheat and barley as well as temperature-sensitive specialty crops.
34
March 20, 2012
SOUTH ASIA
In February, sunny, mild weather aided winter crops in the latter stages of development. Winter rapeseed was maturing in northwest India, while wheat in northern India and Pakistan
was in the filling stage of development. By months end, warmer conditions promoted drydown and harvesting of rapeseed and rabi rice.
March 20, 2012
35
EASTERN ASIA
Generally mild weather during February favored overwintering crops in China, with widespread showers in the southeast boosting moisture reserves for spring planting. Toward the
end of February, warmer weather eased winter rapeseed out of dormancy, while cold weather on the North China Plain kept winter wheat dormant.
36
March 20, 2012
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Periodic flooding from torrential rainfall caused fieldwork delays in the Philippines. Despite the delays, the rainfall maintained moisture supplies at very high levels, ensuring favorable rice and corn prospects for the first half of the year.
In Vietnam, mostly dry weather favored spring rice harvesting in the south, while occasional showers in the north benefited vegetative spring rice. Rice was maturing across Java, Indonesia, during February, under generally wet conditions.
March 20, 2012
37
AUSTRALIA
In February, above-normal rainfall in eastern Australia maintained abundant to locally excessive moisture supplies for immature cotton and sorghum. Isolated flooding caused
local crop damage. Nevertheless, the rainfall was overall beneficial for summer crops, maintaining good to excellent yield prospects.
38
March 20, 2012
SOUTH AFRICA
In February, warmer- and drier-than-normal weather dominated the eastern half of the region, reducing moisture for rain-fed summer crops. The onset of unseasonable warmth and dryness, which began during the latter part of January, was especially untimely for reproductive to filling corn. Traditionally higher yielding farming areas of the eastern corn belt (in and around Mpumalanga) were particularly hard hit, with rainfall totaling less than half of normal and monthly average temperatures 2C or more above normal. Daytime highs often reached the lower and middle 30s (degrees C),
compounding stress on crops in vulnerable stages of development. Similar conditions prevailed in the rain-fed sugarcane areas of southern KwaZulu-Natal, which experienced a third month of unseasonable dryness. Elsewhere, fairly frequent showers maintained mostly favorable irrigation reserves in Eastern Cape and in Northern Capes Orange River Valley. Mostly dry, seasonably warm weather advanced tree and vine crops toward maturity in Western Cape, but daytime highs occasionally reached stressful levels (near to above 40C) for crops and livestock.
March 20, 2012
39
ARGENTINA
During February, wet, occasionally warm weather favored soybeans and other late-planted summer crops in central Argentinas main farming areas, although the moisture came too late to significantly improve prospects for droughtdamaged crops planted earlier in the season. Monthly rainfall accumulations over 200 mm were reported in the high-yielding farming areas in and around northern Buenos Aires. Amounts were mostly near to above normal elsewhere in the region, although rainfall totaled below 100 mm in the less-intensive corn and soybean areas of southernmost Buenos Aires.
Monthly average temperatures were generally 1C above normal as hot weather (highs at or above 35C) returned briefly during several relatively dry periods. Shower activity was highly variable farther north, with pockets of belownormal rainfall centered over Chaco. Monthly average temperatures were 2 to 4C above normal across the north, with highs reaching 40C on several occasions. The warmth and dryness accelerated drydown and harvesting of sunflowers, while promoting rapid maturation of the mostly rain-fed cotton crop.
40
March 20, 2012
BRAZIL
In February, unfavorable warmth and dryness caused varying degrees of stress on soybeans and other summer crops in key southern production areas. This was especially true for Rio Grande do Sul, where temperatures averaged 3C above normal and daytime highs of 35C or higher were common as summer crops advanced through reproductive and filling stages of development; otherwise, conditions fostered rapid drydown and harvesting of soybeans in other southern states where crops were farther along in development. Rainfall rebounded somewhat during the latter half of the month, and much of the south recorded near- to above-normal rainfall during the second half of February. The moisture was timely for germination and
establishment of secondary (safrinha) corn but came too late to significantly improve prospects for all but the latest-planted soybeans. Elsewhere, drier- and warmer-than-normal conditions also reduced available moisture for sugarcane and coffee in the southeast (Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Espirito Santo). Rainfall was near to above normal in the Center-West region (Mato Grosso, Goias, and northern Mato Grosso do Sul) and northeastern interior; sporadic dryness promoted rapid soybean harvesting but additional rain would have been welcome for cotton and safrinha corn. Seasonably drier conditions along the northeastern coast aided routine fieldwork, including harvesting of sugarcane and cocoa.
March 20, 2012
41
MEXICO
During February, unseasonably wet weather boosted moisture reserves across central and northeastern Mexico. The rain, which came mostly during the early part of the month, was timely for germination and establishment of winter sorghum, most of which is rain-fed and grown in Tamaulipas. On the southern plateau, locally heavy rainfall (monthly totals in excess of 50 mm) helped to replenish local reservoirs but came too early in the year to promote planting of corn or other rain-fed summer crops. A similar pattern brought above-normal rainfall to northern Veracruz but somewhat drier conditions prevailed in eastern sections
of the southern Pacific Coast. Meanwhile, locally heavy showers were scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Dry, albeit mild, weather promoted growth of irrigated winter crops in the northwestern part of the country. Despite occasional cool weather, no significant freezes were reported in any of the regions main agricultural areas. Elsewhere, monthly average temperatures were near to slightly above normal. According to the government of Mexico, total national reservoir capacity was at 48.0 percent as of February 29, compared with 73.8 percent last year and 74.4 percent in 2010.
42
March 20, 2012
CANADIAN PRAIRIES
In February, warmer- and drier-than-normal weather continued throughout the Prairies. Monthly average temperatures were 3 to 6C above normal in most major agricultural areas, the exception being southern Alberta, where temperatures averaged closer to normal. However, in spite of the generally warm pattern that dominated during the month, the region experienced 2 outbreaks of bitter cold (lows falling below -20C), one around February 10 and the
other toward months end. Snow cover offered some protection to overwintering grains and pastures in Manitoba but snow was patchy to non-existent in large parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta during both events. In addition to depleting the protective layer of snow cover, the warmth and dryness further increased drought concerns throughout the Prairies, as precipitation totaled below 10 mm in nearly all major farming districts for the entire month.
March 20, 2012
43
SOUTHEASTERN CANADA
The trend of warmer-than-normal weather that has affected eastern Canada since last autumn continued during the month of February. On average, Ontario experienced unseasonable warmth nearly every day, resulting in monthly average temperatures of 2 to 4C or more above normal. Low temperatures occasionally fell below -20C, but snow cover offered some protection to overwintering wheat on the coldest days. Precipitation was near to below normal in western parts of the province, although an outbreak of locally heavy rain and
snow occurred during the latter part of February. Precipitation was below normal in Ontarios eastern districts. In Quebec, a similar pattern of warmth existed, although a relatively higher number of seasonably cooler days were observed. Consequently, more days were seen with nighttime lows below -20C but as in Ontario, snow cover offered some protection to overwintering wheat and pastures. February precipitation was below normal in Quebecs agricultural districts, with monthly totals generally ranging from 15 to 35 mm.
Daily Weather Records (ASOS & COOP)

March 11-15, 2012*
h h h h h h h h h " h " h h h h " h h X h h h h " h h h h h h h h h h h " " X " " " " " " h
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" "" " ""
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Record Type
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Joint Agricultural Weather Facility World Agricultural Outlook Board
Snow (41) Pcp (272)
" Tmax (1406)

X X Tmin (9)
Data courtesy of the U.S. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)
*Incomplete due to NCDC system outage.
The Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (ISSN 0043-1974) is jointly prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Publication began in 1872 as the Weekly Weather Chronicle. It is issued under general authority of the Act of January 12, 1895 (44-USC 213), 53rd Congress, 3rd Session. The contents may be redistributed freely with proper credit. Correspondence to the meteorologists should be directed to: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, NOAA/USDA, Joint Agricultural Weather Facility, USDA South Building, Room 4443B, Washington, DC 20250. Internet URL: http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather E-mail address: brippey@oce.usda.gov The Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin and archives are maintained on the following USDA Internet URL:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather/pubs/Weekly/Wwcb/index.htm
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE World Agricultural Outlook Board Managing Editor............................Brad Rippey (202) 720-2397 Production Editor..........................Brian Morris (202) 720-3062 International Editor...................Mark Brusberg (202) 720-3508 Editorial Advisors..............Charles Wilbur and Brenda Chapin Agricultural Weather Analysts.........................Tom Puterbaugh, Harlan Shannon, and Eric Luebehusen National Agricultural Statistics Service Agricultural Statistician and State Summaries Editor..... Julie Schmidt (202) 720-7621
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service/Climate Prediction Center Meteorologists..................................David Miskus, Brad Pugh, and Adam Allgood
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-Free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

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Volume 99, No.

WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN

March 20, 2012

HIGHLIGHTS March 11 - 17, 2012

Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

March 20, 2012

Water Supply Forecast for the Western United States

SNOTEL River Basin Snow Water Content

Snowpack and Precipitation

SNOTEL River Basin Precipitation

March 20, 2012

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

Spring and Summer Streamflow Forecasts

For More Information

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

March 20, 2012

March 20, 2012

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

March 20, 2012

U.S. Drought Monitor

March 13, 2012

Released Thursday, March 15, 2012

Author: Michael Brewer/Liz Love-Brotak, NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC

U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook

March 20, 2012

NUMBER OF DAYS TEMP. F

.01 INCH OR MORE

52 47 55 52 0 -31 -28 25 14 -25 19 51 31 43 47 51 44 42 46 32 37 52 42 38 9 34 33 25 30 37 27 35 31 57 53 71 67 58 60 54 64 63 39 42 39 50 41 48 62 68 59 67 37 31 27 41 33 35 33 36 33 28 36 36 36 30 36 33 32 28 36 35 33 41

Based on 1971-2000 normals

*** Not Available

.50 INCH OR MORE

STATES AND STATIONS

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

March 20, 2012

NUMBER OF DAYS TEMP. F

.01 INCH OR MORE

Based on 1971-2000 normals

*** Not Available

.50 INCH OR MORE

STATES AND STATIONS

March 20, 2012

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

NUMBER OF DAYS TEMP. F

.01 INCH OR MORE

Based on 1971-2000 normals

*** Not Available

.50 INCH OR MORE

STATES AND STATIONS

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

March 20, 2012

Winter Weather Review

March 20, 2012

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

Warmest Winter on Record, Selected Locations

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

March 20, 2012

March 20, 2012

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

March 20, 2012