We 1 (4-00)a Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released April 4, 2000, 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 87, No. 14 March 26 - April 1, 2000 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Continuing a month-long trend across the South, significant rainfall further eased long-term drought and aided pastures and recently planted summer crops. Unfavorably dry conditions persisted in a few areas, however, including southern Texas, where hot, dry weather offset the benefits of mid-March rainfall, and southern Florida. Meanwhile, showery weather further boosted soil moisture for pastures and winter wheat from Kansas southward into northern and eastern Texas, although some areas in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma remained too wet. Beneficial precipitation also fell in the eastern Corn Belt, Four Corners States, and northern High Plains, while warm, dry weather favored fieldwork, including summer crop planting, in California. In the western Corn Belt, however, another week of mostly dry weather reduced topsoil moisture and brought further long-term drought intensification. Weekly temperatures averaged as much as 4 degrees F below normal in a band from the central and southern Plains to the Ohio Valley, but were near to above normal elsewhere. Temperatures averaged up to 6 degrees F above normal in California, and generally 3 to 10 degrees F above normal along and near the Gulf Coast and from the northern Plains to New England. Mid- to late-week showers provided much-needed moisture (locally 2 to 5 inches or more) to parts of the lower Southeast, including southern Georgia and northern Florida. Daytona Beach, FL netted 7.46 inches on March 30-31, nearly all of which fell in less than 12 hours. However, extremely dry conditions persisted across much of central and southern Florida, where March rainfall totaled only 0.35 inch (15 percent of normal) in Miami and 0.42 inch (14 percent) in Tampa. Through March, Tampa's year-to-date total stood at 2.67 inches, or 33 percent of normal. In Jackson, MS, December-March rainfall was only 14.03 inches (64 percent of normal), despite a 4.41-inch total (76 percent) during March. Another 3.69 inches of rain soaked Jackson during the first 2 days of April. Farther west, Amarillo, TX registered their wettest March on record. Amarillo's monthly total, 4.14 inches (431 percent of normal), surpassed their March 1922 sum of 4.06 inches. In Kansas, monthly precipitation reached 5.99 inches in Wichita (247 percent of normal; wettest March since 7.57 inches fell in 1984) and 4.97 inches in Dodge City (319 percent; wettest March since 8.84 inches fell in 1973). In the Midwest, however, Iowa's statewide precipitation for September 1999 - March 2000 averaged only 7.52 inches (56 percent of normal), their lowest total since 1955-56 and only slightly above the 1939-40 record of 7.13 inches. In the Northwest, moisture conditions showed significant improvement from last year's levels. For example, January-March precipitation in Pendleton, OR totaled 7.36 inches (193 percent of normal), compared with 2.77 inches (73 percent) during the same period in 1999. During 1999, Pendleton's year-to-date precipitation reached 7.36 inches on November 5. During the mid- to late-week period, warmth intensified across the South and along the West Coast, resulting in about three dozen daily-record highs. On Wednesday, highs in southern Texas soared to 94 degrees F in San Antonio and 92 degrees F in Corpus Christi. A day later, Orlando, FL posted a record high of 91 degrees F. Records on Friday included 93 degrees F in Hollywood, FL and 84 degrees F in Los Angeles (LAX), CA. April 1 featured record warmth in the West Coast States, including 76 degrees F in Kennewick, WA, 78 degrees F in Hermiston, OR, and 88 degrees F in Santa Rosa, CA. Meanwhile, cooler air overspread the Plains. On most of the central and southern Plains, the week's lowest temperatures were recorded on March 30, when readings included 24 degrees F in Goodland, KS and 32 degrees F in Amarillo, TX. The temperatures were not low enough to adversely affect the winter wheat crop, which was 44 percent jointing in Kansas at week's end. Weekly temperatures averaged as much as 16 degrees F below normal across interior southern Alaska, abruptly ending the region's 10-week mild spell. On March 28, McGrath, AK notched a daily-record low of -32 degrees F. Meanwhile, Hawaii's most significant rainfall in more than 2 months provided limited relief from long-term drought. National Agricultural Summary March 27 - April 2, 2000 Highlights: Field preparations and spring planting gained momentum, as warm, dry weather prevailed across most of the Nation. A band of heavy rain temporarily halted fieldwork in parts of the southern Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. Most areas welcomed the precipitation thatimproved soil moisture levels. However, some areas received damaging winds and hail, and flooding along some streams. In parts of the central and southern Great Plains, soils were saturated by excessive rainfall, and water was standing in some low-lying fields. In the Corn Belt, farmers rapidly prepared corn and soybean fields for planting. Small grain seeding rapidly progressed in the Great Plains and gained momenum in the Corn Belt. Field activities steadily progressed in California. Moisture shortages remained in most of Florida. Winter Wheat: Four percent of the Nation's winter wheat was at the heading stage, compared with 2 percent last year and 1-percent average for this date. Above-normal temperatures promoted rapid development in the southern Great Plains and Southeast. In Texas, winter wheat was 11 percent headed, nearly double the 5-year average. Eight percent of the Oklahoma wheat acreage was heading and 84 percent was at the jointing stage. Both stages were well ahead of last year and the 5-year average, even though temperatures were cooler-than-normal in parts of the State. Development was also ahead of normal in Louisiana, where 7 percent of the crop was turning color, and in Kansas, where 44 percent was jointing. Winter wheat was 15 percent headed in North Carolina, three times the 5-percent average. Rain provided much-needed moisture for crop development in Texas, but rainfall varied significantly, and hail and strong winds damaged some fields. Adequate moisture aided wheat development in most areas of Oklahoma and Kansas. However, some wheat fields were yellowing due to saturated soils and standing water. Foliar diseases increased in Oklahoma, due to cool, wet conditions. Corn: Nationally, 2 percent of the corn acreage was planted, equal to last year's and slightly ahead of the 5-year average. More than half of the acreage was planted in Texas, where rain delays were mostly brief. Planting was complete in southern regions of the State, but remained active in the High Plains and north-central Texas. Dry weather provided ideal planting conditions along the Ohio River Valley in the southern Corn Belt and Tennessee River Valley. Progress was ahead of normal in Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Dry conditions also aided field preparations in the Corn Belt. Field tillage rapidly progressed throughout the Corn Belt, and fertilizer applications were more than 50 complete in Iowa. Cotton: Planting was 4 percent complete, equal to last year and the average. Progress was slightly ahead of normal in California and Texas, but dry soils hindered progress in Arizona. Some California growers were waiting for warmer weather. In Texas, planting advanced northward where soil moisture and temperature was adequate. Heavy rain delayed planting in isolated areas of eastern Texas. In the High Plains region, soils were mostly too dry to plant. Field preparations were delayed by rain in parts of the lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast, but continued with few delays in the Atlantic Coastal Plains. Small grains: Oat seeding advanced to 11 percent, equal to last year's rapid early-season progress, and ahead of the 5-percent average for this date. Dry weather aided progress in the central Great Plains. The barley acreage was 5 percent seeded, equal to the 5-year average, but slightly behind last year's pace. Progress was aided by dry weather in the Pacific Northwest. Spring wheat planting was 6 percent complete, ahead of the 2-percent average and last year's 3-percent progress. Other crops: Rice planted, at 11 percent, was 2 percentage points ahead of normal due to rapid progress along the western Gulf Coast. Some inland areas of the Mississippi Delta were too wet to plant rice. In California, soil temperatures were too cold to plant rice. Thirteen percent of the sorghum acreage was planted, compared with the 12 percent normally planted by this date. Planting was delayed by dry soils in the southern High Plains, and wet weather limited progress in the Mississippi Delta. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 6 NA 1 3 CA : 35 NA 24 16 CO : 0 NA 0 0 ID : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 0 NA 0 0 IN : 0 NA 0 0 KS : 0 NA 0 0 MI : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 0 NA 0 0 MT : 0 NA 0 0 NE : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 15 NA 14 5 OH : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 8 NA 1 1 OR : 0 NA 0 0 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TX : 11 NA 6 6 WA : 0 NA 0 0 : 18 Sts: 4 NA 2 1 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 91% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 20 NA 18 17 MN : 4 NA 0 0 MT : 3 NA 1 1 ND : 1 NA 0 0 SD : 19 NA 16 3 WA : 25 NA 21 20 : 6 Sts : 6 NA 4 2 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 0 NA 1 0 IN : 0 NA 0 0 IA : 0 NA 0 0 KS : 0 NA 1 0 KY : 1 NA 0 0 MI : 0 NA 0 0 MN : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 5 NA 3 3 NE : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 5 NA 11 8 ND : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 0 NA 0 0 PA : 0 NA 0 0 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TN : 14 NA 3 7 TX : 53 NA 50 42 WI : 0 NA 0 0 : 18 Sts: 2 NA 2 1 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 0 NA 1 0 AZ : 1 NA 9 19 AR : 0 NA 0 0 CA : 10 NA 2 7 GA : 0 NA 1 1 LA : 0 NA 0 0 MS : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 0 NA 0 0 SC : 0 NA 0 0 TN : 0 NA 0 0 TX : 9 NA 9 8 VA : 0 NA 0 0 : 14 Sts: 4 NA 4 4 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 4 NA 2 3 CO : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 0 NA 0 0 KS : 0 NA 0 0 LA : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 0 NA 0 0 NE : 0 NA 0 0 NM : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 0 NA 0 2 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TX : 38 NA 34 35 : 11 Sts: 13 NA 12 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 99% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 NA 0 2 CA : 0 NA 0 0 LA : 40 NA 35 29 MS : 1 NA 2 5 TX : 46 NA 27 23 : 5 Sts : 11 NA 9 9 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 95% of last year's rice acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 15 NA 41 15 MN : 7 NA 0 0 NE : 66 NA 30 20 ND : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 23 NA 21 12 PA : 8 NA 7 8 SD : 14 NA 8 2 WI : 7 NA 13 3 : 8 Sts : 11 NA 11 5 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 52% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 2, :Mar 26,:Apr 2, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 13 NA 13 12 MN : 4 NA 0 1 MT : 2 NA 4 2 ND : 1 NA 0 0 WA : 16 NA 21 18 : 5 Sts : 5 NA 6 5 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 1 18 56 25 CA : 0 0 20 60 20 CO : 1 3 16 60 20 ID : 0 2 18 66 14 IL : 0 5 18 55 22 IN : 2 5 23 55 15 KS : 2 8 36 43 11 MI : 0 2 15 50 33 MO : 0 3 34 49 14 MT : 2 8 35 52 3 NE : 3 8 31 51 7 NC : 0 1 14 75 10 OH : 0 2 14 50 34 OK : 0 4 19 61 16 OR : 0 0 23 76 1 SD : 0 5 25 59 11 TX : 28 31 29 12 0 WA : 0 3 14 69 14 : 18 Sts : 5 9 26 48 12 : Prev Wk : NA NA NA NA NA Prev Yr : 1 5 26 55 13 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 1999 planted acres. The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released at 12:00 p.m. ET on April 11, 2000. 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