Slow-Moving System Moving Through Central US This Week

In the Midwest, an arc of showers fell from Minnesota down through Indiana over the weekend and some other spotty showers developed elsewhere in western areas of the region. A slow-moving storm system in the Plains will continue to bring showers to mostly the western end of the region for much of the week but will spread into Illinois late week and then eastward over the weekend. Some areas in the west that get hit multiple times could see some heavier rainfall. That could help to reduce drought in some areas or prevent it from getting worse in others. Though areas across the south and east that are missed are likely to see drought increasing.

In the Northern Plains, a meandering storm system brought waves of showers through the region over the weekend. That system and another that follows it will continue showers throughout the week. Some areas of heavy rain have fallen and will continue to accumulate this week, keeping drought from building in the region.

In the Central and Southern Plains, a system in the Northern Plains produced waves of showers over the weekend. That system and another will continue showers across the region throughout the week. The showers are likely to migrate eastward this weekend. Some areas of heavy rain will be possible, preventing drought from spreading. Other areas across the south have seen less rainfall lately and could see drought expand if showers miss this week.

In the Delta, it was largely dry over the weekend with only some spotty showers in a few lucky locations. Drought continues to build in the region and will continue to do so if showers cannot pick up in coverage and intensity. But showers are likely to be limited most of the week. They may increase for northern areas late this week and weekend, but are not guaranteed. Water levels on the Mississippi River continue to fall, but rainfall farther north may help that from getting worse later this week.

In the Southeast, it was largely dry over the weekend and will likely stay dry for most areas this week as well. Some locations have been seeing dryness and drought increasing recently, a trend that looks to continue this week.

In the Western U.S., a system in the Northern Plains produced showers in the Rockies while another system moving into the Northwest also produced limited rainfall. Meanwhile, the Southwest stayed largely dry as drought continues to increase there. Overall, drier conditions are forecast this week. However, the remnants to Tropical Storm Mario may move into California later this week and bring some rain to the Southwest.

John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com