We 1 (5-00) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released May 9, 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. 18 April 30 - May 6, 2000 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Very warm, mostly dry weather prevailed nearly nationwide, spurring fieldwork and crop development, but causing drought intensification in the lower Southeast, southern High Plains, and western Corn Belt. Across the South-Central States, however, a slow-moving storm system produced widespread heavy rainfall, easing long-term drought but causing localized flooding, especially in portions of east-central Missouri and northeastern Oklahoma. Very heavy rain (more than 4 inches) also soaked eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Elsewhere, showers benefited winter wheat and spring-sown crops in the eastern Corn Belt and the Northwest. At week's end, showers developed in conjunction with a cold front crossing the northern Plains, aiding small grains and ending an early-season heat wave. Weekly temperatures generally averaged 6 to 14 degrees F above normal in the North-Central and Southwestern States. High temperatures peaked at or above 100 degrees F in parts of western Texas, southeastern New Mexico, and southern portions of California, Nevada, and Arizona. In contrast, temperatures averaged as much as 4 degrees F below normal in Oklahoma near the track of the slow-moving storm. More than five dozen daily-record highs were established during the first 6 days of May, primarily from the Southwest to the upper Midwest. On Tuesday, Moab, UT posted their first of three consecutive daily records (94, 96, and 95 degrees F). In Colorado, Denver noted consecutive records (87 and 89 degrees F) on May 4-5. Record warmth reached the North-Central States on Friday, where highs reached 97 degrees F in Pierre, SD and 96 degrees F in Fargo, ND. Heat also overspread the southern High Plains, where Midland, TX noted highs of 101 degrees F on Friday and 102 degrees F on Saturday. Lubbock, TX closed the week with their first of two consecutive daily-record highs of 99 degrees F. Elsewhere in Texas, highs on Saturday included 106 degrees F in Abilene, 104 degrees F in San Angelo, and 103 degrees F in Wink and Dryden. Early in the week, a storm system moved southward across the central and southern Plains. On April 30, Oklahoma City, OK collected a daily-record, 3.45-inch rainfall. Heavy rain reached the central Gulf Coast region by May 2-3, resulting in 2-day totals of 5.98 inches (37 percent of their year-to-date total) in Lake Charles, LA and 6.75 inches (32 percent) in Beaumont, TX. Lighter amounts of much-needed rain dampened south-central Texas, boosting May 1-6 rainfall to 1.59 inches in San Antonio and 3.24 inches in Austin. Farther east, however, year-to-date precipitation remained as low as 3.09 inches (32 percent of normal) in Tampa, FL, 7.60 inches (36 percent) in New Orleans, LA, and 8.28 inches (39 percent) in Tallahassee, FL. Dry conditions also persisted from the Southwest to the southern High Plains. In San Angelo, TX, January 1 - May 6 precipitation stood at 1.56 inches (33 percent of normal). In the Southwest, the Salt and Verde River watershed, which includes Phoenix, AZ, concluded its third-driest October-April on record (3.48 inches, or 32 percent of the 100-year average). The watershed's only drier October-April periods were 1903-04, with 2.03 inches, and 1995-96, with 3.36 inches. Toward week's end, the storm system began to drift northward again, producing locally torrential rainfall on May 5-6 in northeastern Oklahoma and May 6-7 in east-central Missouri. Tulsa, OK netted 2.87 inches on May 5-6, but nearby totals exceeded 6 inches in a few locations. On May 6-7 in Missouri, 24-hour rainfall totaled 2.48 inches in St. Louis, 10.50 inches in Washington, and 13.50 inches in Union, causing significant flash flooding. Farther south, Little Rock, AR received measurable rainfall on 6 consecutive days (May 1-6), totaling 1.97 inches, marking their first such occurrence since December 18-23, 1998. Mostly dry weather returned to Hawaii in early May, following April's sporadic relief from long-term dryness. Meanwhile in Alaska, cool weather (as much as 8 degrees F below normal) overspread interior sections and continued across western areas for a second consecutive week. In the Aleutians, Cold Bay closed the week with a daily-record low (23 degrees F on May 6). Relatively mild weather prevailed in southeastern Alaska, where Valdez noted a daily-record high of 59 degrees F on Wednesday. National Agricultural Summary May 1 - 7, 2000 Highlights: Dry weather aided rapid planting across most of the Nation, although some growers in the western Corn Belt and parts of the Great Plains waited for rain to provide adequate moisture. Heavy rain interrupted planting in the lower Mississippi Valley and adjacent areas in the southern Great Plains. Planted crops rapidly emerged due to warm weather, however seeds took nearly 2 weeks to germinate in many areas due to moisture shortages, especially in the western Corn Belt and southern High Plains. Crop development was stimulated by above-normal temperatures where adequate moisture was available. Winter Wheat: Fifty-one percent of the crop was at the heading stage or beyond, ahead of last year's 40-percent progress, and nearly 1 week ahead of the 34-percent average for this date. Development was stimulated by above-normal temperatures in the Corn Belt and most of the Great Plains. Forty percent of the Kansas crop and about one-third of the Illinois and Missouri acreage entered the heading stage during the week, pushing development well ahead of normal in all three States. Development was slightly hindered by below-normal temperatures in Oklahoma, although most of the crop was at or beyond the heading stage. Along the western Gulf Coast, most of the crop was turning color and some fields were harvested. No fields were heading in South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, or Michigan, but a few fields began heading in Nebraska. Corn: Planting progress, at 78 percent, remained more than 1 week ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Last year, 45 percent of the crop was planted, while 44 percent would normally be planted by this date. The rapid planting pace continued through a second consecutive week in the Corn Belt. Wisconsin growers planted 44 percent of their corn acreage during the week. Planting advanced 30 percentage points or more in several other Corn Belt States. Planting neared completion in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri, although some growers waited for rain to recharge soil moisture supplies. Dry soils also limited progress in Texas. Thirty percent of the crop was emerged, well ahead of last year's 9-percent pace. Germination and emergence were aided by above-normal temperatures, although many seeds laid in dry soils for nearly 2 weeks before sprouting. Light, scattered showers relieved excessive dryness and promoted germination in some areas, but moisture shortages remained widespread, especially in the western Corn Belt. Soybeans: Thirty-four percent of the acreage was planted, compared with 9 percent last year and the 5-year average of 8 percent. Planting accelerated in the Corn Belt, as many growers finished planting corn and focused their efforts on planting soybeans. In Iowa and Minnesota, growers planted nearly half of their soybean crop during the week, far ahead of the normal pace in both States. Planting was about 3 weeks ahead of normal in Missouri and 10 days ahead of average in Indiana. Planting also gained momentum in Ohio, but was just slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Planting was active in the lower Mississippi Valley, even though wet weather interfered with progress in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In North Carolina, planting began, but was slightly behind the average for this date. Planting also began in North Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Small grains: Planting and emergence of spring wheat, barley, and oats were well ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Planting was aided by mostly dry weather, while above-normal temperatures and adequate moisture promoted rapid emergence across most of the northern Great Plains and Pacific Northwest. Spring wheat was 79 percent planted and 45 percent emerged, compared with last year's 55 and 25 percent, respectively. Normally, planting would be 44 percent complete, and 18 percent would be emerged. In Minnesota and North Dakota, planting advanced 29 and 28 percentage points, respectively. Seeds rapidly germinated and emerged in South Dakota and Montana, where emergence advanced more than 30 percentage points. The barley crop was 77-percent seeded and 43 percent emerged, compared with last year's 53 and 26 percent, respectively. Normally, 48 percent would be planted and 22 percent emerged by this date. Planting rapidly progressed in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana, as mostly dry conditions prevailed. In Idaho and Washington, planting was nearly complete. Oat seeding advanced to 86 percent complete, compared with last year's 65-percent pace, and the 58-percent average for this date. Planting advanced 30 percentage points in North Dakota and 25 percentage points in Pennsylvania. In Iowa and Nebraska, planting was complete. Fifty-six percent of the crop was emerged, 14 percentage points ahead of a year ago. Oats rapidly emerged in the northern Corn Belt, despite increasing moisture shortages. Cotton: Planting was 37 percent complete, 6 percentage points ahead of the same date last year and 3 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Heavy rain halted planting in eastern and southern Texas, while soil moisture shortages limited progress on the High Plains. Warm, dry weather aided planting in the Southeast and Atlantic Coastal Plains, advancing nearly 40 percentage points in Mississippi and Virginia and 20 percentage points or more in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. Planting also rapidly advanced in the lower Mississippi Valley, despite rain delays in some areas. Planting accelerated in Arkansas and Tennessee, advancing about 20 percentage points, and more than doubled in the Missouri Bootheel, to 78 percent complete, 2 weeks ahead of the average pace. Rice: Seventy-five percent of the acreage was planted, 6 percentage points ahead of a year ago and 8 percentage points ahead of the normal progress for this date. Dry weather aided progress in California, where planting advanced 40 percentage points. In the Mississippi Delta, planting rapidly progressed in spite of rain delays, but remained well behind the 5-year average in Mississippi. Forty-eight percent of the crop was emerged, ahead of last year's 39-percent progress and 5 percentage points ahead of the average for this date. Above-normal temperatures aided rapid emergence in Arkansas and Mississippi. Sorghum: Twenty-seven percent of the acreage was planted, 6 percentage points ahead of last year, and 2 percentage points ahead of the average for this date. Planting rapidly progressed in the lower Mississippi Valley, despite rain delays. Planting accelerated in the central Great Plains and Corn Belt due to warm, dry weather. Other crops: Ninety-three percent of the sugarbeets and 21 percent of the peanuts were planted. Sugarbeet planting was complete in Idaho and rapidly approached completion in Minnesota and North Dakota. Peanut planting quickly progressed in Alabama, but remained behind the 5-year average across the Southeast and Atlantic Coastal Plains. Planting was well ahead of normal in Texas. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 99 96 95 91 CA : 98 97 97 98 CO : 11 3 3 2 ID : 0 0 0 0 IL : 48 14 22 15 IN : 27 13 17 13 KS : 54 14 31 19 MI : 0 0 0 0 MO : 66 34 29 27 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 1 0 1 0 NC : 95 80 92 87 OH : 2 0 1 1 OK : 93 76 81 74 OR : 5 0 0 0 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 77 64 75 67 WA : 3 0 0 1 : 18 Sts: 51 33 40 34 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 46 20 22 49 IL : 91 58 44 45 IN : 66 35 44 29 IA : 95 65 51 49 KS : 86 73 41 60 KY : 75 57 74 52 MI : 35 5 31 25 MN : 93 72 68 58 MO : 96 91 37 49 NE : 79 40 23 41 NC : 87 72 82 86 ND : 55 20 28 20 OH : 44 7 58 34 PA : 28 8 34 27 SD : 63 24 16 19 TN : 81 70 89 83 TX : 89 80 79 84 WI : 62 18 41 27 : 18 Sts: 78 49 45 44 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 16 9 9 11 IL : 36 6 4 7 IN : 29 10 16 10 IA : 56 9 4 6 KS : 26 11 3 5 KY : 12 6 8 3 LA : 41 26 27 24 MI : 10 1 6 4 MN : 54 10 13 13 MS : 47 24 39 33 MO : 41 19 2 3 NE : 26 7 1 3 NC : 5 0 5 8 ND : 12 0 0 3 OH : 19 3 33 15 SD : 18 *2 1 2 TN : 4 0 5 3 WI : 22 0 6 4 : 18 Sts: 34 8 9 8 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Corn: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 11 2 3 5 IL : 38 11 7 NA IN : 15 0 7 NA IA : 36 2 1 2 KS : 46 26 13 8 KY : 51 24 48 41 MI : 3 0 2 3 MN : 37 0 6 7 MO : 66 57 19 NA NE : 24 5 1 2 NC : 69 50 69 NA ND : 12 0 1 1 OH : 3 0 13 5 PA : 1 0 2 NA SD : 8 1 0 NA TN : 65 40 61 NA TX : 70 64 64 NA WI : 5 0 1 NA : 18 Sts: 30 9 9 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 60 32 49 54 AZ : 76 65 73 87 AR : 29 7 28 26 CA : 98 93 84 77 GA : 37 17 26 40 LA : 62 47 59 52 MS : 56 19 39 37 MO : 78 37 31 18 NC : 30 7 33 35 OK : 6 3 8 6 SC : 31 13 29 40 TN : 25 6 26 24 TX : 20 18 19 24 VA : 45 6 65 56 : 14 Sts: 37 23 31 34 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 72 62 54 60 CO : 8 1 1 2 IL : 12 8 0 1 KS : 13 9 1 5 LA : 58 43 61 57 MO : 39 24 4 7 NE : 3 1 0 2 NM : 0 0 0 1 OK : 9 7 3 6 SD : 6 0 0 4 TX : 48 46 46 57 : 11 Sts: 27 23 19 25 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 71 56 64 68 CA : 60 20 41 22 LA : 97 95 88 87 MS : 63 36 82 84 TX : 95 91 92 81 : 5 Sts : 75 58 69 67 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 95% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 42 19 28 37 CA : 15 5 7 4 LA : 84 76 79 75 MS : 35 9 42 56 TX : 88 83 79 65 : 5 Sts : 48 31 39 43 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 95% of last year's rice acreage. Peanuts: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 34 8 27 35 FL : 23 16 28 26 GA : 20 6 19 39 NC : 15 1 28 17 OK : 12 3 8 13 TX : 21 4 13 10 VA : 17 0 39 31 : 7 Sts : 21 6 20 27 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 7 States planted 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 96 88 83 81 MN : 90 61 56 37 MT : 71 54 68 59 ND : 72 44 31 24 SD : 96 83 79 53 WA : 97 91 96 86 : 6 Sts : 79 57 55 44 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 100 99 98 90 MN : 87 74 69 68 NE : 100 99 97 95 ND : 66 36 19 18 OH : 92 79 94 82 PA : 86 61 82 76 SD : 90 75 66 50 WI : 98 80 88 70 : 8 Sts : 86 68 65 58 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 52% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 95 84 66 67 MN : 82 58 37 30 MT : 76 55 70 58 ND : 60 30 18 18 WA : 95 87 92 84 : 5 Sts : 77 56 53 48 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 82 61 54 54 MN : 41 17 24 14 MT : 37 6 23 17 ND : 33 10 12 8 SD : 79 47 49 25 WA : 81 63 76 68 : 6 Sts : 45 19 25 18 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 94 83 85 59 MN : 56 38 38 27 NE : 94 80 90 59 ND : 23 9 6 5 OH : 69 53 84 60 PA : 57 37 49 NA SD : 63 43 33 22 WI : 61 33 50 NA : 8 Sts: 56 38 42 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 52% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 76 60 39 38 MN : 35 16 15 11 MT : 37 8 25 18 ND : 19 4 5 5 WA : 79 50 72 59 : 5 Sts : 43 21 26 22 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:May 7, :Apr 30,:May 7, : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 100 94 93 97 MI : 65 52 NA NA MN : 98 85 72 52 ND : 98 78 65 45 : 4 Sts : 93 79 NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States planted 73% of last year's sugarbeet acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 5 31 44 18 CA : 0 0 10 50 40 CO : 1 2 15 62 20 ID : 0 1 10 73 16 IL : 1 5 20 58 16 IN : 1 3 17 53 26 KS : 3 9 33 45 10 MI : 0 2 12 47 39 MO : 1 5 32 51 11 MT : 3 11 43 39 4 NE : 5 11 38 43 3 NC : 1 1 12 73 13 OH : 0 1 12 51 36 OK : 1 3 18 63 15 OR : 0 0 26 55 19 SD : 0 3 17 62 18 TX : 25 29 34 11 1 WA : 0 0 11 72 17 : 18 Sts : 5 9 26 47 13 : Prev Wk : 5 10 24 47 14 Prev Yr : 1 5 21 57 16 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 4 13 28 49 6 :: NJ : 0 0 10 80 10 AZ : 2 21 41 36 0 :: NM : 20 26 38 16 0 AR : 1 5 27 50 17 :: NY : 0 0 15 58 27 CA : 0 10 50 30 10 :: NC : 0 3 19 67 11 CO : 1 4 32 61 2 :: ND : 3 9 38 44 6 CT : 0 0 40 44 16 :: OH : 1 4 23 53 19 DE : 0 0 16 79 5 :: OK : 0 3 23 62 12 FL : 0 45 50 5 0 :: OR : 0 0 19 72 9 GA : 6 20 39 32 3 :: PA : 2 4 32 55 7 ID : 2 3 24 57 14 :: RI : 0 0 67 33 0 IL : 1 6 29 57 7 :: SC : 1 6 27 57 9 IN : 3 8 31 47 11 :: SD : 1 4 31 52 12 IA : 8 27 45 18 2 :: TN : 1 4 20 60 15 KS : 1 6 29 57 7 :: TX : 16 21 30 27 6 KY : 1 7 30 49 13 :: UT : 1 9 38 50 2 LA : 3 10 32 46 9 :: VT : 0 19 44 37 0 ME : 17 21 34 28 0 :: VA : 0 3 18 65 14 MD : 2 4 13 61 20 :: WA : 0 15 33 47 5 MA : 0 13 11 76 0 :: WV : 0 12 34 45 9 MI : 1 10 30 49 10 :: WI : 6 14 37 36 7 MN : 3 17 47 31 2 :: WY : 1 1 32 63 3 MS : 0 9 20 57 14 :: : MO : 20 37 36 7 0 :: 48 Sts : 6 14 33 40 7 MT : 10 27 33 27 3 :: : NE : 9 24 44 22 1 :: Prev Wk: NA NA NA NA NA NV : 1 3 15 80 1 :: Prev Yr: 2 8 28 51 11 NH : 0 9 32 59 0 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. 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