More Active Weather, But Missing Some Drought Areas This Week

In the Midwest, a front lifted northward through the region and a small system moved through as well, producing areas of showers and thunderstorms. Some heavy rain moved through Wisconsin and Michigan, with lesser rainfall amounts elsewhere. Multiple disturbances and systems will move through the region throughout the week, bringing through periods of showers and thunderstorms that will increase soil moisture, but may also cause severe weather and areas of flooding. One final front will move through on Friday and Saturday.

In the Northern Plains, isolated showers went through over the weekend. Multiple disturbances and systems will bring through occasional showers throughout the week. A final front will move through on Thursday night and Friday with more scattered showers and may end in a little bit of snow going into Saturday. The western and southern ends of the region could really use the moisture as drought persists there.

In the Central and Southern Plains, areas of scattered showers and thunderstorms moved through the region over the weekend. A few streaks went through the southwest, but much of the western half of the region remained dry. Multiple systems and disturbances will move through the region this week, with one final one pushing through on Friday into early Saturday. Despite all the activity, western areas are forecast to see very little precipitation this week as drought will likely worsen. Areas across the east will see better precipitation coverage and amounts, which will likely reduce drought, leading to mixed conditions across the region.

In the Delta, it was dry over the weekend and drought returned to growing. Widespread showers to the west and north may drift through at various points in the week, but getting consistent, heavy rainfall like the region needs will be tough to do. A front will move through on Saturday with the best chances for scattered showers but will not be enough to ease drought concerns.  

In the Southeast U.S., it was dry over the weekend. Combined with above-normal temperatures, drought is expanding in the region. Drier conditions this week will make that worse as well. A front will move through on Saturday and Sunday, but showers are forecast to die out as the front moves through. Increasing drought appears likely.

In the Western U.S., a system moved into the West and brought areas of heavy precipitation from northern California into western Idaho. Other areas of the region did not receive as much precipitation. However, this system will continue to move through the region through Tuesday with scattered showers. Another system will move through the northern half of the region for Wednesday through Friday with some heavy amounts in some areas but may include snow in some of the valleys. Northern areas should see drought reduction this week, while it may grow for some areas across the south.

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