Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released May 4, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and 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. 18 April 25 - May 1, 1999 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Widespread rain fell from the central and southern Plains into the Southeast, generally benefiting winter wheat and spring-sown crops, but slowing or halting planting. Excessive totals (more than 4 inches) fell toward week's as slow-moving storms simultaneously affected the central and southern High Plains and the Carolinas. Farther south, much-needed rain dampened Peninsular Florida, improving topsoil moisture and reducing irrigation requirements in citrus groves. Meanwhile, drier weather spread southward across the Corn Belt, permitting a gradual return to fieldwork. In California, dry weather favored fieldwork, including cotton planting, but a return to cool conditions hindered crop development. Weekly temperatures averaged more than 5oF below normal throughout southern California and ranged from 1 to 7oF below normal in the Northwest and on the central and southern Plains. Cloudy, wet conditions held temperatures as much as 9 degrees F below normal in the Carolinas. Farther north, widespread frost and near- to below-freezing temperatures were reported in the Great Lakes and Northeastern States on April 25 and several mornings thereafter, burning back winter grains and increasing grower concerns about possible adverse effects on blooming fruit trees. In contrast, very mild weather prevailed in the North Central States. North Dakota's weekly temperatures ranged from 6 to 9 degrees F above normal. During the early- to midweek period, near- to below-freezing temperatures were reported in the Northeast and the Northwest. On Sunday, Mansfield, OH noted a daily-record low of 28oF. Lows also fell to 28oF in Williamsport, PA and Syracuse, NY. Two days later, Yakima, WA noted their first of two daily-record lows (25 and 27oF). On Wednesday, Redmond, OR (18oF) and Bakersfield, CA (38oF) also posted record lows. Later the same day, northwesterly winds in California gusted to 41 mph in Modesto and 36 mph in Sacramento. The cool air was anchored by an Omega blocking pattern, named for its similarity in appearance to the Greek letter. The same pattern brought a continuing series of storms southeastward into the West, then slowly eastward across the Nation, undercutting the block. As a result, cool, stormy weather prevailed from the Rockies and the central and southern High Plains into the Southeast. Early-week rainfall ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the eastern portions of Kansas and Oklahoma and on the Ozark Plateau, boosting monthly rainfall to an April-record 8.70 inches (282 percent of normal) in Topeka, KS and 10.35 inches (260 percent) in Joplin, MO. Farther north, drier air edged into the Corn Belt, but not before light rain propelled monthly precipitation in Rochester, MN to 6.47 inches (237 percent), tying their April record set in 1990. In Indianapolis, IN, rain fell on 22 days during April, including 0.97 inch on the 27th. Elsewhere in the region, April rainfall totaled 8.47 inches (318 percent of normal) in Omaha (Eppley Airfield), NE and 7.75 inches (212 percent) in Rockford, IL. Late in the week, heavy precipitation became more focused across the central and southern Plains and the Carolinas. In northern Texas, 4-day (April 29 - May 2) rainfall totaled 5.07 inches in Amarillo and 3.55 inches in Dalhart. Farther north, Cheyenne, WY netted 1.62 inches on Friday, their second-wettest April day on record. In Colorado, April 29 - May 1 totals included 3.83 inches in Pueblo and 5.20 inches in Colorado Springs, helping to boost April rainfall to 5.30 inches (602 percent of normal) and 7.50 inches (630 percent), respectively. Farther south, however, only light showers dampened southern Texas, where significant rain last fell in late March. All of Victoria's April rainfall (0.33 inch, or 14 percent of normal) fell on the 28th. Dry weather also persisted along and near the Gulf Coast, holding April rainfall totals to an April-record 0.08 inch (2 percent of normal) in Mobile, AL, 0.30 inch (7 percent) in New Orleans, LA, and 0.40 inch (35 percent) in Tampa, FL. In parts of the Carolinas, mid- to late-week rainfall ranged from 4 to locally more than 12 inches. In northeastern South Carolina, Loris recorded 11.93 inches from April 28 - May 2. Wilmington, NC collected daily-record totals on Wednesday (1.47 inches) and Friday (2.19 inches). Rainfall provided some relief from extreme dryness in Peninsular Florida, including a daily-record amount in Orlando (1.23 inches on Wednesday). Cool weather accompanied the rain across the Southeast. On Thursday, highs in North Carolina reached only 46oF in Greensboro and 49oF in Raleigh-Durham. Two days later in Florida, Tampa's high of 68oF was their lowest maximum temperature in May since May 4, 1921. We 1 (5-99) National Agricultural Summary April 26 - May 2, 1999 Highlights: Fieldwork and planting were halted by heavy rains in the High Plains, from Texas to Wyoming, as well as parts of eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and adjacent areas of southern Missouri. Heavy rains also limited progress in the southern Atlantic Coast, but ended excessive dryness in parts of the Atlantic Coastal Plains and eased drought conditions in southern Florida. To a lesser extent, rains hampered field activities in the southern Appalachians and the Tennessee, lower Ohio, and middle Mississippi Valleys. Dry conditions aided planting in the eastern and northern Corn Belt, northern Great Plains, and Southwest. Excessive dryness delayed planting and hindered emergence and growth in parts of the Gulf Coast region and adjacent inland areas of the Southeast and lower Mississippi Valley. Below-normal temperatures hindered winter wheat development and emergence of other small grains and row crops in the central and southern Great Plains and most of the Corn Belt. Above-normal temperatures promoted crop emergence and development in the northern Great Plains and Great Lakes States, but dry soils hindered crop emergence. In California, cool weather, scattered showers, and strong winds caused minor planting delays. Winter Wheat: Twenty-nine percent of the winter wheat was headed, a few days ahead of the 23 percent pace of last year, which is the normal for this date. Cool temperatures hampered growth in the central Great Plains, but heavy rainfall provided much-needed moisture in dry areas of the High Plains. Below-normal temperatures also slightly delayed heading and ripening in the southern Great Plains. In the Texas High Plains, additional moisture benefited fields in the heading stage, but excessive wetness promoted diseases in Oklahoma. Fields ripened in California despite cooler than ideal weather. Corn: Acreage planted more than doubled, to 21 percent complete, but remained behind last year's 36 percent pace and the 5-year average of 34 percent. Planting rapidly accelerated in the northern Corn Belt, especially in Minnesota, due to dry, sunny weather. Rain and poor drying conditions limited progress in the southern and central Corn Belt, Great Plains, and Atlantic Coastal Plains. Plants were emerged on 5 percent of the acreage, equal to last year's progress. Rain promoted emergence and growth in the southern Corn Belt along the lower Ohio Valley. In central and southern Texas, showers added beneficial moisture for fields in the reproductive stages. Cotton: The Nation's cotton acreage was 22 planted, up 8 percentage points from last week and equal to last year, but progress continued to lag behind the 5-year average for this date. Cool, wet soils limited planting in the Texas High Plains and central Texas, but added beneficial moisture for germination and growth. Planting lagged in the Southeast due to dry soils, while progress was halted by persistent rain in the nearby Atlantic Coastal Plains. In California, cool weather and gusty winds hampered planting, while wind-blown soil damaged some emerged cotton fields. Along the western Gulf Coast, cotton fields were entering the squaring stage. Soybeans: Planting was 3 percent complete, compared to 5 percent a year ago and the normal of 4 percent. Planting lagged behind normal in the Corn Belt due to slow corn planting progress. Dry weather aided planting in the lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast. Rain prevented planting in parts of the Atlantic Coastal Plains. Small grains: Oat planting, at 58 percent, was ahead of the 47 percent average for this date, but remained behind the rapid pace of a year ago. Thirty percent was emerged, compared to 26 percent last year. Spring wheat and barley planting advanced to 42 percent and 41 percent, respectively. Progress for both crops trailed last year's rapid progress, but spring wheat planting remained well ahead of the 30 percent average, while barley sowing continued slightly ahead of the 36 percent normal pace. Eleven percent of the spring wheat and 15 percent of the barley were emerged, slightly ahead of the 5-year average of 9 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Last year, emergence was at 22 percent for both crops. In most of the major small grains States, warm, windy conditions quickly dried soils and aided planting, while adequate moisture promoted emergence and early growth. In the Pacific Northwest, cool weather and dry soils hindered emergence. Other crops: Rice planting advanced to 58 percent complete, slightly behind last year's 63 percent pace and the average of 60 percent. Twenty-nine percent was emerged compared with 38 percent a year ago and 32 percent normally emerged by this date. Sorghum planting was 18 percent complete, behind the 23 percent pace last year and the 5-year average of 24 percent. Peanuts planted was 9 percent complete, slightly behind last year's 13 percent and well behind behind the 20 percent 5-year average. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 11 9 46 37 GA : 98 96 85 94 IL : 8 7 27 38 IN : 10 5 9 23 IA : 14 3 33 37 KS : 26 19 70 52 KY : 65 43 35 42 MI : 7 0 20 12 MN : 41 6 73 36 MO : 31 28 40 45 NE : 14 8 39 29 NC : 75 70 65 81 OH : 24 9 9 27 PA : 13 2 22 15 SD : 7 1 21 10 TX : 74 62 82 78 WI : 11 1 23 13 : 17 Sts: 21 10 36 34 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 17 States planted 90% of last year's corn acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 38 23 46 43 AZ : 63 39 72 84 AR : 7 4 6 16 CA : 70 40 42 72 GA : 20 13 22 33 LA : 28 18 22 33 MS : 23 8 11 31 MO : 7 2 5 8 NM : 51 33 50 55 NC : 15 10 23 22 OK : 7 3 7 3 SC : 20 15 16 31 TN : 12 6 6 10 TX : 16 13 22 21 : 14 Sts: 22 14 22 28 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Corn: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 2 NA 0 0 GA : 96 NA 74 NA IL : 3 NA 1 NA IN : 2 NA 0 NA IA : 0 NA 0 1 KS : 5 NA 11 2 KY : 33 NA 18 27 MI : 0 NA 0 0 MN : 1 NA 3 1 MO : 0 NA 0 0 NE : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 60 NA 53 NA OH : 5 NA 1 1 PA : 0 NA 1 0 SD : 0 NA 3 1 TX : 58 NA 64 NA WI : 0 NA 0 NA : 17 Sts: 5 NA 5 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 17 States planted 90% of last year's corn acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 38 28 58 53 CO : 0 0 0 0 IL : 0 0 0 0 KS : 0 0 3 2 LA : 49 45 34 42 MS : 48 31 49 58 MO : 0 0 3 6 NE : 0 0 0 0 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 2 1 5 6 SD : 0 0 6 1 TX : 44 41 53 58 : 12 Sts: 18 17 23 24 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 12 States planted 99% of last year's sorghum acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 91 72 87 79 CA : 95 80 96 97 CO : 3 1 1 0 GA : 94 89 89 93 ID : 0 0 0 0 IL : 3 0 11 4 IN : 3 1 11 3 KS : 12 1 3 6 MI : 0 0 0 0 MO : 13 2 24 14 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NC : 80 50 75 66 OH : 0 0 0 0 OK : 68 35 55 56 OR : 0 0 0 0 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 62 38 50 51 WA : 0 0 2 0 : 19 Sts: 29 15 23 23 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 19 States planted 91% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 50 33 64 61 CA : 20 1 1 11 LA : 85 80 90 78 MS : 74 63 75 81 TX : 89 77 91 73 : 5 Sts : 58 44 63 60 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 96% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 12 NA 26 22 CA : 1 NA 0 1 LA : 70 NA 77 65 MS : 31 NA 39 50 TX : 73 NA 75 50 : 5 Sts : 29 NA 38 32 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 96% of last year's rice acreage. Soybeans: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 6 NA 9 6 AR : 7 NA 10 8 GA : 5 NA 2 3 IL : 0 NA 1 3 IN : 4 NA 3 6 IA : 0 NA 6 4 KS : 0 NA 3 2 KY : 2 NA 1 2 LA : 19 NA 25 12 MI : 0 NA 3 1 MN : 3 NA 13 4 MS : 29 NA 27 25 MO : 1 NA 1 1 NE : 0 NA 1 1 NC : 0 NA 10 7 OH : 13 NA 3 8 SC : 11 NA 12 5 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TN : 2 NA 0 1 : 19 Sts: 3 NA 5 4 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 19 States planted 93% of last year's soybean acreage. Peanuts: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 14 10 18 23 FL : 16 15 18 NA GA : 11 7 17 34 NC : 2 0 5 9 OK : 4 1 13 7 SC : 35 22 14 33 TX : 4 3 7 5 VA : 7 2 12 19 : 8 Sts : 9 6 13 20 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 99% of last year's peanut acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 79 59 80 78 MN : 37 12 66 25 MT : 54 25 67 44 ND : 25 7 49 16 SD : 73 57 86 46 : 5 Sts : 42 21 62 30 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 96% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 56 41 68 65 MN : 25 4 60 21 MT : 58 39 62 44 ND : 14 3 36 12 SD : 51 37 82 38 WA : 88 75 89 74 : 6 Sts : 41 26 56 36 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 83% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 96 92 75 85 MI : 77 73 78 56 MN : 52 20 80 52 NE : 96 87 95 89 ND : 15 3 37 11 OH : 87 77 81 73 PA : 73 51 75 65 SD : 54 38 84 44 WI : 77 38 79 50 : 9 Sts : 58 39 69 47 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 9 States planted 57% of last year's oat acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 43 NA 43 49 MN : 8 NA 16 5 MT : 11 NA 28 10 ND : 3 NA 12 3 SD : 31 NA 43 17 : 5 Sts : 11 NA 22 9 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 96% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 28 NA 30 35 MN : 4 NA 11 3 MT : 14 NA 24 10 ND : 1 NA 8 2 SD : 16 NA 36 13 WA : 61 NA 61 51 : 6 Sts : 15 NA 22 14 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 83% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1994- State:May 2, :Apr 25,:May 2, : 1998 : 1999 : 1999 : 1998 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 77 NA 24 43 MI : 52 NA 37 10 MN : 12 NA 31 14 NE : 90 NA 44 29 ND : 1 NA 5 1 OH : 70 NA 57 41 PA : 39 NA 41 23 SD : 21 NA 41 16 WI : 27 NA 19 NA : 9 Sts: 30 NA 26 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 9 States planted 57% of last year's oat acreage. Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 7 13 27 44 9 :: NJ : 0 0 50 50 0 AZ : 20 24 29 26 1 :: NM : 10 33 42 14 1 AR : 0 6 31 55 8 :: NY : 0 18 63 19 0 CA : 0 0 20 60 20 :: NC : 0 8 22 60 10 CO : 2 7 22 49 20 :: ND : 2 11 29 53 5 CT : 0 9 52 39 0 :: OH : 0 2 19 54 25 DE : 0 3 8 66 23 :: OK : 1 5 26 62 6 FL : 15 30 55 0 0 :: OR : 0 11 32 52 5 GA : 8 20 41 29 2 :: PA : 1 8 39 47 5 ID : 0 0 10 72 18 :: RI : 0 4 43 43 10 IL : 1 1 18 63 17 :: SC : 1 8 37 52 2 IN : 0 2 18 67 13 :: SD : 0 1 16 63 20 IA : 0 3 24 53 20 :: TN : 0 5 26 56 13 KS : 1 2 18 66 13 :: TX : 4 17 34 38 7 KY : 0 5 29 52 14 :: UT : 0 5 21 68 6 LA : 3 16 38 38 5 :: VT : 1 41 9 49 0 ME : 12 41 47 0 0 :: VA : 1 9 36 46 8 MD : 0 3 15 67 15 :: WA : 3 17 43 34 3 MA : 0 27 27 46 0 :: WV : 0 8 43 43 6 MI : 2 8 32 45 13 :: WI : 2 5 17 51 25 MN : 2 9 30 52 7 :: WY : 0 6 27 55 12 MS : 1 6 30 55 8 :: : MO : 0 2 20 59 19 :: 48 Sts : 2 9 28 50 11 MT : 2 9 37 44 8 :: : NE : 0 1 20 66 13 :: Prev Wk: NA NA NA NA NA NV : 0 1 19 77 3 :: Prev Yr: 1 6 25 53 15 NH : 18 22 38 22 0 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 2 16 55 27 CA : 0 0 15 85 0 CO : 1 2 10 58 29 GA : 7 23 38 30 2 ID : 0 2 13 65 20 IL : 1 3 17 68 11 IN : 0 2 13 62 23 KS : 0 3 18 59 20 MI : 1 1 13 54 31 MO : 1 6 28 55 10 MT : 2 6 35 53 4 NE : 0 1 13 74 12 NC : 0 2 19 64 15 OH : 0 0 8 59 33 OK : 0 3 17 71 9 OR : 5 12 39 41 3 SD : 0 0 12 61 27 TX : 2 13 33 41 11 WA : 4 7 42 45 2 : 19 Sts : 1 5 21 58 15 : Prev Wk : 2 5 24 55 14 Prev Yr : 1 6 23 55 15 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. 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