Release March 30, 1999 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agricultural. For information on "Weekly Weather & Crop Bulletin" call Mark E. Miller at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary Volume 86, No. 13 March 21 - 27, 1999 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Exceptionally mild weather (5 to 13 degrees F above normal) prevailed for a second consecutive week on the northern Plains, prompting winter wheat to break dormancy. Warmer-than-normal conditions also dominated the West, except in California, where temperatures averaged as much as 3 degrees F below normal. Streaks of near- to below-normal temperatures reached 3 weeks on the central and southern Plains, 5 weeks in the Southeast, and 9 weeks in California, slowing the development of winter wheat and spring-sown crops. On March 26-27, scattered frost in the Southeast had few adverse effects on winter grains, spring-sown crops, and fruit tree blooms. Significant precipitation was confined to the East and West Coasts until week's end, when moisture overspread the Central States. Much-needed rain fell in southern Texas, encouraging germination of recently planted crops and promoting additional planting. Rain fell across the western Corn Belt for the first time in 3 weeks. Soils remained unfavorably dry across Peninsular Florida, where numerous wildfires flared, and in much of the Southwest. Early in the week, heavy rain and snow fell across the Northeast, accompanied by high winds. On March 21-22, Albany, NY received 2.16 inches of precipitation, their third-greatest 24-hour March total. Although snowfall totaled only 1.5 inches in Albany, amounts farther north and west in New York locally topped 2 feet, including 27 inches at Old Forge. Near the Atlantic Coast, Monday's wind gusts were clocked to 77 mph in Milton (Blue Hill Observatory), MA and 72 mph in Cape Elizabeth, ME. Meanwhile, warm weather briefly arrived on the central and southern Plains before the return of below-normal temperatures. On Sunday, Pueblo, CO notched a daily-record high of 81 degrees F. A day later, Midland, TX recorded 88 degrees F. More impressive warmth overspread the northern Plains and the Northwest during the mid- to late-week period, setting more than a dozen daily-record highs. Pocatello, ID registered 72 degrees F on Thursday. On March 25-26, Glasgow, MT posted consecutive record highs (70 and 75 degrees F). In contrast, cooler air edged into the Southeast, resulting in late-week frost. On Saturday, lows dipped to 30 degrees F in Meridian, MS and 32 degrees F in Evergreen, AL. A day later (March 28) minima in Florida included 32 degrees F in Tallahassee and 36 degrees F, a daily record, in Jacksonville. Heavy rain fell along the West Coast through Thursday, locally exceeding 4 inches in northwestern California. On Wednesday, both Eureka, CA (2.41 inches) and Brookings, OR (2.20 inches) netted daily-record rainfall totals. Storminess along the California coast shifted eastward into Texas by Saturday, resulting in daily-record totals in Del Rio (1.64 inches) and Laredo (1.97 inches). Del Rio's rainfall accounted for 85 percent of their year-to-date total. San Antonio's rainfall (1.44 inches on Saturday) was their highest single-day total since October 18, 1998. A day later (March 28), 2.51 inches pelted Brownsville, TX, their third-wettest March day on record and greatest single-day rainfall since September 9, 1998. Farther north, 0.22 inch of rain dampened LaCrosse, WI on March 28, ending their longest dry spell (18 days) since April 1980. Rain and snow returned to parts of the East at week's end. In the southern Appalachians, accumulating snow (up to 4 inches) was reported in northeastern Georgia, while as much as 10 inches fell in the Great Smoky Mountains. Farther north, locally heavy rain returned to the immediate northern Atlantic Coast. Mostly dry weather again prevailed in Peninsular Florida, however, fostering the development and spread of numerous wildfires. January 1 - March 28 rainfall stood at 3.91 inches (47 percent of normal) in Orlando and 4.05 inches (51 percent) in Tampa. Precipitation also bypassed Arizona, where year-to-date totals remained at 0.01 inch (less than 1 percent of normal) in Tucson and 1.24 inches (19 percent) in Flagstaff. Unusually mild weather (up to 14 degrees F above normal) encompassed Alaska until late in the week. On Thursday, daily-record highs were established in locations such as Nome (38 degrees F), McGrath (48 degrees F), and Fairbanks (50 degrees F). Sharply colder air arrived at week's end, however, and by Sunday morning (March 28), lows on the North Slope plummeted to daily-record levels in Umiat (-47 degrees F) and Prudhoe Bay (-43 degrees F). We 1 (3-99) National Agricultural Summary March 22 - 28, 1999 Highlights: Cool, cloudy weather prevailed in the Southeast, lower Mississippi Valley, and parts of adjacent areas in the southern Plains, Corn Belt, and Atlantic Coast States. Improved soil moisture aided emergence of recently planted crops in parts of Texas, but development was slow due to cool weather. Rain aided development of small grains in northern and central areas of the State, where many wheat fields were heading out. Farther south, where wheat was turning color, rains were less beneficial. Planting was hindered by wet soils in the Blacklands and Central regions, but continued without delay in the Coastal Bend. In the central Plains, fieldwork and planting were aided by dry weather. Winter wheat remained in good condition due to mild temperatures, adequate soil moisture, and light insect and disease pressures. Fieldwork gained momentum in the Corn Belt, northern Great Plains, and Great Lakes States. Some small grains were seeded, but air and soil temperatures remained too cold for planting row crops. Coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest and California remained in a rainy pattern. In inland areas of California, where dryer conditions prevailed, field preparations and planting were active. Gradual warming promoted growth of small grains and sugarbeets. A few cotton fields were planted, but warmer soil temperatures were needed. In southern areas of the State, small grains were irrigated to sustain growth. In the Imperial and San Joaquin Valleys, winter wheat was heading and cotton was developing squares. The next "Weekly Weather & Crop Bulletin" report will be released after 12 p.m. ET on April 6, 1999. 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