Precipitation Impact Commentary

Precipitation Impact Commentary

In the Midwest, two fronts moved through with showers this week. Some areas in the east got needed rainfall to help stall the increasing drought while others did not. Showers linger on Friday and possibly Saturday over northern areas, but dry conditions are likely. A small system may produce showers early next week, but most likely across the north again.

In the Northern Plains, isolated showers moved through the region with a pair of fronts this week. Soil moisture continues to be mostly favorable in the region. It should be largely dry through the weekend as a system will produce some limited showers early next week.

In the Central and Southern Plains, areas of showers and thunderstorms have moved through this week, though coverage has been spotty. A front will continue to drop south through the region through Sunday, hanging up in Texas where showers may continue into Monday. Some more isolated showers will be possible farther north early next week with a weak system moving through. Patchy dryness is still a concern in some areas while others are on the brink of drought development. Those areas are small but noteworthy.

In the Delta, some isolated showers moved through this week, but few areas saw meaningful rain. Drought continued to expand across the north and water levels on the Lower Mississippi River are becoming awfully low for the third-straight fall. A front will move through with spotty showers this weekend, but most areas will remain dry through next week.

In the Southeast, areas of showers developed this week, mostly across the northwest. A front will move through this weekend with scattered showers as well, but some areas are getting too dry, and dryness and drought are expanding in some areas. Those in the northwest may have seen drought decreasing a bit this week. Dry conditions are in the forecast for next week.

In the Western U.S., monsoon showers were active across the Southwest and Four Corners this week, including some heavy rain in the desert that may improve drought conditions a bit. Northern areas saw very little or no rainfall, however. Monsoon showers continue through the weekend, but will weaken for next week. An upper-level trough moving into the region could produce some noteworthy rainfall across the north next week, though drought conditions there have been expanding as well and need a lot more rainfall.

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