Drought Remains a Central Issue for Much of US

In the Midwest, a couple of systems and disturbances brought isolated showers through the region this week, including some snow across southern Iowa, which has since melted. Recent rainfall has almost eliminated drought across the region, though there are some dry pockets around. The pattern stays busy with a front to end the week and a couple of systems over the weekend into next week that should produce scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some areas may end up being a little too wet.

In the Northern Plains, a system went along the border on Wednesday and produced scattered showers in the region. A few more will move through across the south on Thursday. Recent precipitation events have been frequent, and some of them have been heavy, helping to improve soil moisture and reduce drought in Montana. Drought conditions still exist across the west and south, though. A system this weekend will bring through more scattered showers that will continue into early next week. And more showers may develop later next week as well, perhaps improving conditions as well.

In the Central and Southern Plains, heavy rain last week improved drought conditions across the east, though it remains in a lot of these areas. Western areas saw very little, and drought continued to increase there. The pattern is turning a little more favorable as a front stalls out to end the week and a couple of systems move through this weekend and early next week. Not all areas are forecast to be hit, and those in the east are favored again. But those drought areas in the west will get multiple chances at producing some scattered showers and thunderstorms that may hold off on the drought worsening.

In the Delta, the widespread heavy rain that moved through over Easter weekend failed to move the needle in a positive direction regarding the drought, which was largely stable on this week’s update. Dryness this week has not been favorable for soil moisture, which continues to fall as temperatures rise this spring. A couple of fronts will approach the region next week, which may bring in some showers at times, but they do not appear enough to reduce drought.

In the Southeast U.S., although a front came through with widespread showers over Easter weekend, drought increased for several areas of the region on this week’s update to the Drought Monitor, and no spots saw reduction. Dry weather is forecast through much of next week, which will only make the drought situation worse.

In the Western U.S., showers were limited this week, and most areas saw no rainfall again. Drought continues to build across the region and is spreading back into California as well. However, a system in the Pacific will slowly move through the region through early next week, bringing widespread precipitation. California, especially, will see multiple rounds of precipitation that may be heavy in the drought areas, especially in the Sierras. Otherwise, precipitation looks to be light to moderate. It will not be enough to reduce drought in too many areas, though it will stop the advance of drought in many locations.

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