Three Systems Moving Through US This Week

In the Midwest, it was quiet over the weekend, but it won’t be this week. Three systems will move through the region through Sunday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the thunderstorms could be severe and it will be cold enough for snow and some freezing rain across the north for the second and third system. The rainfall will be welcome to increase soil moisture, but some areas of flooding may occur.

In the Northern Plains, it was largely dry over the weekend, though showers started to develop Sunday night. That is the first of three systems that will move across the region this week. The second and third systems should be cold enough to produce some snow, and the third system does look like it may be heavy and widespread. Though this precipitation will make it more difficult to do fieldwork, it should relieve some of the dryness and drought conditions in the southern portions of the region.

In the Central and Southern Plains, it was dry over the weekend as drought continues to build throughout most areas. However, this week will feature three systems moving through the country. The first may not produce much precipitation, but the second and third systems are primed to bring through scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of that could be severe, and northern areas could pick up some accumulating snow. However, southwestern areas are likely to be bypassed by all three systems this week, continuing the growing drought problems there.

In the Delta, a front moved south with a few showers on Friday, but the weekend was dry. Some isolated showers may develop throughout the week, but a front moving through late this week and another this weekend should produce scattered showers for the region. Drought is intense for many areas and the rainfall will be beneficial. But deficits are very large and much more rainfall will be needed to ease drought concerns.

In the Southeast U.S., it was largely dry this weekend, despite a front moving through on Friday. Isolated showers will be possible this week, but the primary precipitation focus will be well to the west and north this week. A front moving through this weekend could bring through some scattered showers, but deficits are very large for a lot of the region and soil moisture is very low. The coming front will not be able to change that unless it were to stall and continue showers next week. That has a low probability of occurring.

In the Western U.S., some showers went through northern areas as the first of three systems has moved through the region. The second system will bring more widespread precipitation to the region Tuesday and Wednesday, while the third system will focus on the northern half of the region for Wednesday and Thursday. While the precipitation is sorely needed to combat building drought, southern areas are not expected to see very much and drought may continue to grow there.

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