Disorganized Showers for Central US This Week

In the Midwest, some spotty showers developed across the Great Lakes this weekend, but most areas stayed dry. Disturbances moving through the Plains could bring showers to the northwest at times this week, but most areas are likely to remain dry, especially in the south. This would cause increases in drought and lower water levels for the Mississippi River. Showers are likely to expand through the region this weekend, continuing to some degree next week as well.

In the Northern Plains, a few spotty showers were noted over the weekend, but most areas stayed dry. Isolated showers will continue for much of the week, but more scattered showers will be possible starting on Friday and lasting at least through the weekend, if not through next week as well. The rainfall will support soil moisture from moving into drought.

In the Central and Southern Plains, a front moved south through the region with some spotty rainfall this weekend. Small disturbances will bring areas of showers to the region throughout the week, with a more organized chance for rain this weekend and possibly next week as well. Rainfall continues to be very good for keeping drought at bay for much of the region.

In the Delta, a front moved through over the weekend with some showers, halting the drought from expanding too much. However, dry conditions this week will likely cause momentum to return to drought development. The lack of rainfall farther north is leading to low water levels on the Mississippi River as well, which will likely limit transport.

In the Southeast, a front moved through with some showers over the weekend, but many areas stayed dry. Recent dry weather in some areas is causing dryness and drought expansion, though that is happening in a patchy fashion. Drier conditions are expected this week and may cause some more drought development on the monitor this week.

In the Western U.S., monsoon showers spread across much of the region over the weekend. Some limited areas of heavy rain were noted in the Southwest, but drought is deep in the region and will be tough to improve. An upper-level trough moving into the region will continue showers for much of the week, though heavy rain will be tough to come by.

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