We 1 (4-00) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released April 18, 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. 16 April 9 - 15, 2000 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Significant rain fell across large parts of the South for the sixth consecutive week, further easing long-term drought and benefiting recently planted summer crops, including corn, cotton, sorghum, and rice. Some fields in the lower Mississippi Valley and adjacent areas remained too wet for fieldwork, but unfavorable dryness persisted in portions of western and southern Texas, the central Gulf Coast region, and the lower Southeast (including northern Florida and southern Georgia). Across central and southern Florida, widespread showers eased the wildfire threat and reduced irrigation requirements. Farther north, scattered precipitation overspread the western Corn Belt at week's end, boosting topsoil moisture but failing to dent long-term drought. Drought also remained a concern elsewhere in the Corn Belt, despite recent improvements in topsoil moisture. Meanwhile, generally beneficial rain returned to northern and central California, following 4 weeks of favorably dry and often warm weather that promoted fieldwork and initial summer crop planting. Showers also overspread the Northwest, aiding small grains following recent warmth. Despite the increasingly showery weather in parts of the West, weekly temperatures were generally 4 to 8 degrees F above normal. In contrast, cooler-than-normal weather prevailed east of the Rockies. Temperatures averaged as much as 14 degrees F below normal in North Dakota and ranged from 2 to 8 degrees F below normal across much of the South. Occasionally snowy, breezy conditions accompanied the cold weather across the northern Plains and upper Midwest, stressing livestock. On Sunday morning, widespread frost and near-freezing temperatures were reported across the interior Southeast, resulting in localized adverse effects on fruit, vegetables, and winter wheat, and burning back pastures and emerging corn. Lows of 27 degrees F in Jackson, TN, 30 degrees F in Meridian, MS, and 32 degrees F in Macon, GA were among nearly 20 daily-record lows. Meanwhile, a spring storm blanketed the interior Northeast with heavy snow. Albany, NY (13.0 inches on April 9) and Burlington, VT (14.3 inches on April 9) experienced their second-heaviest, single-storm April totals, behind 17.7 inches on April 6-7, 1982, in Albany, and 15.6 inches on April 16-17, 1983, in the latter location. More than 1 inch of snow was reported as far south as northern Maryland. Additional snow fell across the interior Northeast through midweek, boosting April 9-12 snowfall as high as 31.7 inches in Eden, VT, and 25.0 inches on Jay Peak, VT and in Malone, NY. Burlington's total of 19.1 inches during the first half of the month represented their second-greatest April total (tied with 1924), behind only 21.3 inches in 1983. Meanwhile, record warmth developed in the West Coast States, where Simi Valley, CA noted consecutive daily-record highs (90 and 91 degrees F) on April 11-12. Farther north, The Dalles, OR (82 degrees F) posted a daily record on the latter date. The warmth shifted eastward at midweek, however, as showers moved ashore. Redding, CA received 1.99 inches of rain during the first half of the month, including a daily-record total (1.26 inches) on April 13. Heavy rain soaked Spokane, WA on April 13-14, resulting in their highest 24-hour rainfall on record (1.53 inches) during April. The previous record of 1.41 inches was established in 1997. Warmth briefly spread east of the Rockies after midweek. On Friday, daily-record highs included 86 degrees F in Goodland, KS and 82 degrees F in LaCrosse, WI. Following consecutive daily-record lows (16 and 19 degrees F) in Massena, NY on April 13-14, warmth also fleetingly visited the Northeast. On Saturday, daily-record highs included 77 degrees F in Burlington, VT and Bangor, ME. Meanwhile, sharply colder air returned to the Plains, where Goodland noted a high of 29 degrees F on April 15, just 1 day after their daily-record high. In North Dakota, record lows on Saturday included 6 degrees F in Grand Forks and 11 degrees F in Devils Lake. Occasional snowfall accompanied the cold weather across the North, boosting month-to-date snowfall to 8.4 inches in Glasgow, MT, 6.2 inches in Fargo, ND, 5.3 inches in Wausau, WI, and 4.9 inches in Flint, MI. Farther south, additional showers during the week lifted April 1-16 rainfall to 7.46 inches (245 percent of normal) in Jackson, MS and 7.24 inches (266 percent) in Birmingham, AL. April 1-16 totals of 5.47 inches in Houston, TX and 5.43 inches in Lake Charles, LA accounted for more than half of the stations' year-to-date precipitation. Similarly in Florida, month-to-date rainfall of 2.22 inches in Orlando and 3.36 inches in Miami accounted for more than half of the January 1 - April 16 totals. However, a few areas from near the central Gulf Coast to the lower Southeast remained extremely dry, leaving year-to-date rainfall as low as 7.68 inches (42 percent of normal) in Baton Rouge, LA, 7.15 inches (39 percent) in New Orleans, LA, and 3.10 inches (35 percent) in Tampa, FL. Following a 2-week cool snap, much milder air overspread Alaska. Weekly temperatures averaged up to 15 degrees F above normal across western areas. Meanwhile, drier weather returned to most of Hawaii, following 2 weeks of beneficial, drought-easing showers. The most consistent rainfall was generally confined to windward portions of the Hawaiian islands. National Agricultural Summary April 10 - 16, 2000 Highlights: Below-normal temperatures slowed winter wheat development and hindered emergence of other small grains in the Great Plains and eastern Corn Belt. Fieldwork was delayed by snow and rain in parts of the northern Great Plains and upper Mississippi Valley, but the precipitation improved soil moisture supplies. Despite the cold weather, fieldwork and planting gained momentum in the Corn Belt, especially along and near the Ohio and Missouri River Valleys. Planting also gained momentum in the lower Mississippi Valley, although scattered showers limited progress in some areas. Planting was delayed by cool weather and showers in the Southeast. Above-normal temperatures stimulated crop development in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Rain limited fieldwork along the northern Pacific Coast, but dry weather aided field preparations and planting in California. Winter Wheat: Thirteen percent of the Nation's winter wheat crop was at the heading stage or beyond, 5 percentage points ahead of this date last year and 1 week ahead of the 6-percent normal for this date. Above-normal temperatures accelerated development in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Acreage at or beyond the heading stage nearly doubled in California, to 85 percent, 40 percentage points above the previous week. Wheat rapidly progressed to the heading stage in the southern Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast, despite below-normal temperatures. Acreage heading advanced 17 percentage points in Texas and Oklahoma, and was 1 week ahead of the 5-year average in both States. Acreage at or beyond the heading stage doubled in North Carolina and more than doubled in Arkansas, to 40 and 50 percent, respectively, also 1 week ahead of normal. Corn: Nine percent of the corn acreage was planted, 4 percentage points ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Dry weather aided progress in the Great Plains, southern Corn Belt, and Tennessee Valley, while cold weather deterred progress across the northern Corn Belt. Fifty-three percent of the corn was planted in Missouri, more than 3 weeks ahead of last year and the 5-year average, and was the most advanced progress on record for this date. Planting also rapidly advanced in Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee, although cool weather and scattered showers limited progress. In Illinois, planting accelerated, especially in the southern half of the State, and was 1 week ahead of normal. Planting slowly gained momentum in Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, and Ohio. In North Carolina, growers planted one-fourth of their corn acreage during the week, despite rain delays in parts of the State. Planting remained active in northern Texas, while some early-planted fields in southern regions of the State progressed to the reproductive stage. Cotton: Planting advanced to 11 percent complete, slightly ahead of last year's 8-percent pace and the 9-percent average for this date. Warm, dry weather provided ideal planting conditions in the Southwest. Planting advanced 30 percentage points in California, to 65 percent, and was nearly 2 weeks ahead of the normal pace. Planting was also active in Arizona, and progressed to the 40-percent average for this date. Below-normal temperatures hindered progress in the southern Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. However, growers in the Missouri Bootheel rapidly planted 19 percent of their cotton acreage. Rice: Twenty-six percent of the rice acreage was planted, equal to the normal progress and 5-percentage points ahead of last year. Sixteen percent of the crop was emerged, well ahead of normal along the western Gulf Coast. Planting rapidly progressed in Louisiana and remained active in Texas. Progress remained well ahead of normal in both States. Cool weather and wet soils hindered planting in inland areas of the Mississippi Delta for most of the week. In Mississippi, only 3 percent of the acreage was planted, compared with the 34-percent average for this date. Spring Wheat: Planting was 19 percent complete, a week ahead of last year's 13-percent pace, and more than 1 week ahead of the 8-percent normal for this date. Warm, dry weather aided progress in Idaho and Washington. Planting was 50 percentage points ahead of the average in South Dakota. Four percent of the acreage was emerged. Warm weather and adequate moisture aided germination in Washington and Idaho. Oats: Seeding advanced to 40 percent of intended acreage, well ahead of last year's rapid progress, and 25 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Dry weather aided progress in the Corn Belt, but a winter storm limited progress in North Dakota. In Wisconsin, planting was 48 percent complete, the fastest pace on record. Nine percent of the crop was emerged, ahead of normal in Nebraska and Ohio, despite below-normal temperatures. Barley: The barley acreage was 21 percent seeded, 5 percentage points ahead of last year's pace, and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average of 12 percent. Dry weather aided rapid progress in Washington and Idaho, where planting was 51 and 47 percent complete, respectively. Four percent of the crop was emerged, compared with 3 percent for both last year and the 5-year average for this date. Warm weather and adequate moisture supplies aided emergence in Washington and Idaho. Sorghum: Fifteen percent of the sorghum acreage was planted, slightly ahead of this date last year, but behind the 5-year average of 16 percent. Planting accelerated in Louisiana and steadily advanced in Arkansas. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 50 23 34 26 CA : 85 45 54 66 CO : 0 0 1 0 ID : 0 0 0 0 IL : 0 0 0 0 IN : 0 0 0 0 KS : 0 0 0 0 MI : 0 0 0 0 MO : 1 0 1 0 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NC : 40 20 22 13 OH : 0 0 0 0 OK : 27 10 16 10 OR : 0 0 0 0 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 37 20 20 19 WA : 0 0 0 0 : 18 Sts: 13 6 8 6 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 5 2 17 13 AZ : 40 28 21 40 AR : 0 0 0 1 CA : 65 35 22 27 GA : 4 2 5 5 LA : 1 0 2 3 MS : 0 0 3 3 MO : 19 0 1 0 NC : 2 0 4 3 OK : 0 0 1 0 SC : 7 5 7 4 TN : 0 0 3 1 TX : 13 11 10 12 VA : 0 0 1 1 : 14 Sts: 11 8 8 9 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 1 0 3 3 IL : 13 4 5 4 IN : 5 1 3 2 IA : 2 0 1 0 KS : 20 3 7 7 KY : 28 13 17 19 MI : 0 0 0 0 MN : 2 0 0 0 MO : 53 26 16 17 NE : 4 0 1 0 NC : 40 15 43 43 ND : 0 0 0 0 OH : 2 1 6 3 PA : 2 0 1 1 SD : 0 0 0 0 TN : 35 25 28 41 TX : 61 55 54 54 WI : 0 0 0 0 : 18 Sts: 9 4 5 5 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 16 11 9 18 CO : 0 0 0 0 IL : 0 0 0 0 KS : 0 0 0 0 LA : 12 4 10 16 MO : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 3 1 1 2 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 42 40 39 44 : 11 Sts: 15 14 14 16 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 57 39 40 45 MN : 12 10 4 1 MT : 12 7 16 7 ND : 4 2 1 1 SD : 63 45 28 13 WA : 67 47 62 53 : 6 Sts : 19 13 13 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 89 79 82 44 MN : 36 26 12 5 NE : 91 83 69 46 ND : 3 1 1 0 OH : 53 38 65 46 PA : 28 21 33 33 SD : 51 32 27 11 WI : 48 24 27 8 : 8 Sts : 40 29 28 15 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 24% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 47 22 26 28 MN : 13 10 1 0 MT : 15 11 17 7 ND : 2 1 0 0 WA : 51 31 46 41 : 5 Sts : 21 12 16 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 16 NA 12 13 MN : 1 NA 0 0 MT : 0 NA 0 0 ND : 0 NA 0 0 SD : 13 NA NA NA WA : 31 NA 29 27 : 6 Sts : 4 NA NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 29 NA NA NA MN : 4 NA 0 0 NE : 39 NA 31 12 ND : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 26 NA 28 14 PA : 11 NA 13 NA SD : 8 NA NA NA WI : 1 NA NA NA : 8 Sts: 9 NA NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 24% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 10 NA 7 8 MN : 1 NA 0 0 MT : 1 NA 0 0 ND : 0 NA 0 0 WA : 15 NA 16 16 : 5 Sts : 4 NA 3 3 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 10 5 6 17 CA : 5 1 0 0 LA : 82 54 66 61 MS : 3 2 18 34 TX : 68 59 52 47 : 5 Sts : 26 17 21 26 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 95% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 16,:Apr 9, :Apr 16,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 NA NA NA CA : 0 NA 0 0 LA : 63 NA 44 42 MS : 0 NA NA NA TX : 53 NA 32 28 : 5 Sts : 16 NA NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 95% of last year's rice acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 5 25 47 22 CA : 0 0 20 70 10 CO : 1 3 16 58 22 ID : 0 2 15 67 16 IL : 0 3 23 57 17 IN : 1 3 21 57 18 KS : 2 7 31 48 12 MI : 0 2 15 50 33 MO : 0 4 33 49 14 MT : 2 6 32 56 4 NE : 4 12 31 49 4 NC : 1 1 13 73 12 OH : 0 1 14 51 34 OK : 2 3 18 65 12 OR : 0 0 33 58 9 SD : 0 4 26 57 13 TX : 30 27 27 14 2 WA : 0 0 10 71 19 : 18 Sts : 6 8 24 50 12 : Prev Wk : 5 9 25 49 12 Prev Yr : 2 5 24 56 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 after 12:00 p.m. ET on April 25, 2000. 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