Country Going Drier, Tropical Concerns for Southeast
A system is finally clearing the country at the end of the week after producing widespread areas of moderate to heavy rainfall. Drier weather is taking over most of the middle of the country while showers expand in the West and a tropical storm is being monitored for the Southeast.
In the Midwest, widespread areas of showers and some areas of heavy rain have fallen across the region this week. Showers are leaving on Thursday with drier weather that will follow. That will help some soils to drain after getting some heavy rain. Areas of drought reduction have occurred as well.
In the Northern Plains, showers fell over some western areas on Monday, but most areas of the region stayed dry this week. Dry conditions are generally expected through early next week with some showers being possible with a system moving through mid-to-late next week.
In the Central and Southern Plains, areas of heavy rain continued this week but have moved out of the region. Areas that had drought to start the week saw reductions except in central and southern Texas where rains came after the cutoff and will be reflected on next week’s drought monitor. Drier conditions are now in place and will remain so through most of next week.
In the Delta, scattered showers and areas of heavy rain moved through the region this week. This has helped with the drought situation as well as providing a small boost to water levels on the Mississippi River. Drier weather is moving in though, and likely to last through next week so any improvements will be temporary.
In the Southeast, showers were hard to come by for most of the week and drought expanded for many areas. But a front moved into the region on Wednesday night and continues showers on Thursday. Part of the front will likely get stuck in the Carolinas through the weekend and produce heavy rain. There is also a risk of a tropical storm moving near these areas early next week, though confidence is not high.
In the Western U.S., a small cutoff system brought limited showers to the Southwest this week. This system will produce more showers as it sits in the area into next week. Some showers also moved through northern areas early this week. A system is likely to move in early next week with showers for several days. That may help with the expanding drought in this area somewhat.
John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com
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