Systems Bringing Heavy Rain, But Drought Growing Across US

In the Midwest, a system moved through early this week and another moved in midweek. Both systems are bringing heavy precipitation through the region that is helping to increase soil moisture and reduce what remains of the drought. A third storm will move through on Friday and Saturday with more of the same. A few showers will also move through early next week with a round of colder air.

In the Northern Plains, two systems have moved through so far this week, bringing scattered showers and some heavy snow in the Dakotas. A third system will move through on Friday into early Saturday with more showers and more heavy snow. Some areas in the Dakotas could end up with more than a foot between the two systems. The activity is helping to increase soil moisture and reduce drought in some areas. Drier weather is expected next week.

In the Central and Southern Plains, drought has been growing significantly in recent weeks and is extremely dry across much of the region. However, a system started to move through on Wednesday and continues on Thursday, bringing some areas of heavy rain to those in need. Another system will move through on Friday and Saturday with more. However, not all areas will be hit and those in the southwest are not likely to see a whole lot of precipitation as drought continues to grow. Another period of active weather is forecast to start later next week and may be more promising.

In the Delta, there were a few isolated showers this week, but most areas stayed dry. Drought continues to grow and be rather intense in a lot of areas. A front will slide in on Thursday with some isolated showers and another front will go through this weekend with more widespread precipitation. However, it will not be enough to significantly reduce drought and drier conditions are forecast for most of next week as well.

In the Southeast U.S., a few isolated showers moved through this week, but most areas stayed dry. That has allowed drought to continue to grow through most of the region and is especially bad in Georgia and Florida. Isolated showers continue into the weekend and a front moving through on Saturday and Sunday may bring through some more widespread showers. But the amounts are not expected to be enough to combat the growing drought. Drier conditions next week will not be favorable as well.

In the Western U.S., drought grew again on this week’s update to the Drought Monitor. However, a pair of systems moved through that brought scattered showers to much of the region beyond the cutoff time of the Monitor. Still, the region needs a lot of precipitation after the recent extreme heat and lack of winter snowfall have left many areas in a snow drought. A system continues into Friday with widespread precipitation across the north, but there will be a drier period for this weekend into next week. Models do indicate precipitation returning by the middle of next week, but not the widespread heavy amounts the region needs to reverse the drought.

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