Widespread Rain Continues for Central US

In the Midwest, isolated to scattered showers developed across western areas this week. The system responsible has been very slow to move but should spread showers into more of the region over the weekend. This system will leave early next week, but the forecast has been for another system to quickly take its place and continue the showers for most of next week. Widespread drought has been building across the south and east for a while and the coming rainfall should help with that to some degree.

In the Northern Plains, a very slow-moving system has been moving through the region this week, producing areas of showers. Some heavy rain has occurred as well, especially across South Dakota. Showers will remain in the area through early Saturday before leaving. Another system will bring some showers Sunday night and Monday as well.

In the Central and Southern Plains, a system across the north has produced areas of showers and thunderstorms throughout the week. Much of the rainfall has occurred across Nebraska and Kansas but has also extended across Colorado and the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. Showers will continue to spread through the region through the weekend. Another system will quickly follow it for early next week, with showers more focused over eastern areas.

In the Delta, spotty showers fell across the region, but drought continued to increase anyway. Soils moisture and water levels on rivers and streams are very low. A system to the north may bring in more showers this weekend and another may bring more next week. But the region needs a lot of rain. Rivers may benefit more, with areas of heavy rain falling off to the north and west.

In the Southeast, spotty showers have dotted the area this week, but most areas have stayed dry. That has caused increases in drought this week. Spotty showers may continue into next week, but a system moving through later next week and weekend could bring more rainfall that would help to reduce drought or at least keep it from growing worse.

In the Western U.S., some showers fell across the Rockies this week, but most areas stayed dry until the remnants from Tropical Storm Mario came north into southern California on early Thursday. Moisture from this system will fade out as it gets into the Great Basin but should help to reduce some drought. It could also produce flooding in parts of California, especially due to runoff from the mountains. A system is likely to scrape through northwestern areas early next week with a few showers as well. But despite the recent activity, drought remains an entrenched feature across most of the region.

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