We 1 (10-00) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 31, 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. 44 October 22 - 28, 2000 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Heavy rain continued for the second consecutive week across the South-Central States, easing long-term drought and providing much-needed moisture for winter wheat germination and establishment, but causing some lowland flooding. Unlike the previous week, however, rain spread into Nebraska and the Dakotas, slowing fieldwork but aiding fall-sown grains. Scattered showers in the northern and western Corn Belt caused only minor harvest delays. Meanwhile in California and the Southwest, widespread precipitation slowed or halted fieldwork, including cotton harvesting. Very warm, dry weather prevailed from the middle and lower Mississippi Valley to the East Coast, favoring summer crop harvesting, but depleting topsoil moisture and hampering winter wheat planting and emergence. Weekly temperatures averaged 10 to 14 degrees F above normal in a broad area centered on the middle Mississippi Valley. Significantly below-normal temperatures (as much as 7 degrees F below normal) were confined to California and the Southwest. On Sunday in Arizona, rainfall totaled 1.55 inches in Douglas (their 5th wettest October day) and 1.24 inches in Tucson (10th wettest October day). Just 11 days earlier, on October 11, Douglas had received 1.31 inches (6th wettest October day), while Tucson had netted 1.53 inches (7th wettest October day). October 1-29 precipitation in Tucson reached 4.66 inches (457 percent of normal), approaching their October record of 4.98 inches set in 1983. Elsewhere in Arizona, Phoenix's month-to-date rainfall climbed to 2.90 inches (475 percent of normal), second only to a 4.40-inch total in October 1972. Farther north, October 1-29 precipitation reached 2.59 inches (387 percent of normal) in Boise, ID, shattering their October 1956 record of 2.25 inches. October rainfall records were also established in parts of California, including Monterey (4.19 inches through the 29th) and Salinas (2.31 inches). Gusty winds and high-elevation snowfall accompanied the series of storm systems across California and the Southwest. On October 22, peak wind gusts in California reached 48 mph in Vacaville and 41 mph in Redding. A subsequent storm system delivered as much as 20 inches of snow from October 27-29 in the Sierra Nevada at elevations above 7,000 feet. Farther south, late-week snowfall in Arizona reached 4 inches in Bellemont. The late-week system also brought heavy rain to southern California, where Torrance noted a daily-record total of 1.94 inches on October 27. Farther east, 72-hour (October 21-24) rainfall totaled as much as 6 to 9 inches in Oklahoma, primarily in a line from southwest to just east of Oklahoma City. October 22 rainfall reached 3.90 inches in Oklahoma City, their fourth-highest single-day October total on record. October 1-29 rainfall topped 6 inches in numerous locations in the South-Central States, including Oklahoma City (8.39 inches), Abilene, TX (7.01 inches), and Wichita Falls, TX (6.38 inches). From July 30 - October 14, a 77-day period, only 0.20 inch fell in Wichita Falls, followed by 6.25 inches in the ensuing 2 weeks. Elsewhere in Texas, July 30 - October 14 totals included 0.05 inch in Lubbock, 0.39 inch in Amarillo, and 0.46 inch in Dallas-Ft. Worth, followed by October 15-29 totals of 3.05 inches, 3.39 inches, and 4.08 inches, respectively. After midweek, locally heavy rain reached areas as far north as the Dakotas, where Aberdeen, SD (3.75 inches on October 26) collected their highest 1-day total on record during October. Nearly two dozen daily-record highs were set during the week in the Mid-South, including four consecutive maxima (85, 86, 86, and 85 degrees F) in Memphis, TN from October 24-27. Meanwhile, cool conditions were confined to the Northeast (early in the week and again at week's end) and the West. Daily-record lows on Monday included 22 degrees F in Massena, NY and 28 degrees F in Eugene, OR. A major storm system developed late in the week near the New England coast, bringing heavy snow to inland areas and producing winds gusts to 60 mph on Saturday on Maine's Monhegan Island. Meanwhile in the Southeast, dry spells approached or attained record proportions in several locations. In South Carolina, October 29 marked Greenville-Spartanburg's 34th consecutive day without measurable precipitation, breaking their record of 31 days set from October 10 - November 9, 1952). Month-to-date rainfall remained a trace or less an numerous locations in the Southeast, including Savannah, GA; Knoxville, TN; the North Carolina cities of Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh-Durham; and the South Carolina cities of Charleston, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville-Spartanburg. Seasonal showers in Hawaii continued to provide relief from long-term drought in leeward areas, while locally heavy rain fell in typically wetter windward locations. Meanwhile, milder weather and widespread precipitation returned to Alaska, although cool conditions lingered in some interior areas. Weekly temperatures averaged up to 8 degrees F above normal in interior southwestern Alaska, where McGrath's snow depth increased to 11 inches. Across southern Alaska, October 1-29 precipitation increased to 9.47 inches (128 percent of normal) in Juneau and 9.98 inches (a record for any month) in Cold Bay. The previous wettest month on record in Cold Bay had been 9.97 inches in August 1951. National Agricultural Summary October 23 - 29, 2000 Highlights: Widespread heavy rains limited fieldwork, but recharged topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies across most of the central and southern Great Plains. The much-needed moisture germinated winter wheat seeds that had laid in dry soils much longer than normal. However, some fields were washed out by excessive rainfall that produced isolated flash floods and soil erosion. Above-normal temperatures east of the Rocky Mountains stimulated growth of emerged winter wheat fields. The Corn Belt, northern Great Plains, and Great Lakes region received scattered, light rainfall, but winter wheat seeding and row crop harvest delays were brief. Harvest activities were virtually uninterrupted in the Mississippi Delta, Southeast, and Atlantic Coast States. Heavy rain delayed fieldwork in northern California and interior areas of the Southwest, while rain delays were minimal in the Pacific Northwest. Winter wheat: Eighty-one percent of the crop was planted and 59 percent was emerged, compared with the averages of 90 percent planted and 74 percent emerged. Widespread heavy rain halted planting and seedbed preparations in the central and southern Great Plains, but substantially recharged topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies. Seeding was nearly 3 weeks behind normal in Oklahoma and 2 weeks behind normal in Kansas and Texas. In the Corn Belt and lower Mississippi Valley, mostly dry weather aided rapid planting progress. Illinois growers seeded 22 percent of their crop during the week, advancing progress to 90 percent, equal to the 5-year average. Arkansas and Indiana growers planted 19 and 17 percent of their acreage, respectively, pushing progress slightly ahead of normal. In the Pacific Northwest, seeding neared completion in Oregon well ahead of normal. Rain limited planting in California, but progress was more than double the average for this date. Dry weather aided planting progress on the Atlantic Coastal Plains. Fields rapidly emerged in the central and southern Great Plains after rains soaked parched soils. In Kansas and Oklahoma, 28 and 20 percent, respectively, emerged during the week. Despite rapid emergence, progress remained far behind normal across most of the Great Plains. Fields also rapidly emerged in the Corn Belt, as light precipitation supplemented mostly adequate topsoil moisture supplies and warm weather stimulated growth. Nearly one-third of the acreage emerged in Indiana and about one-fourth emerged in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Progress was ahead of normal in Indiana and Missouri, but lagged across the rest of the Corn Belt. Fields emerged ahead of normal in the Pacific Coast States. Corn: Harvest advanced to 87 percent complete, slightly ahead of last year's 85-percent pace and almost 2 weeks ahead of the 73-percent average for this date. Harvest was most active in North Dakota, where growers harvested more than one-fourth of their crop during the week. The end of the harvest season approached far ahead of normal in the western Corn Belt. Ideal weather aided harvest in the central and eastern Corn Belt, but progress lagged behind the 5-year average in Michigan and Ohio due to slow-ripening fields. Harvest also lagged in Pennsylvania, despite rapid progress. Harvest was active in Colorado and South Dakota, despite scattered rain delays. Soybeans: Harvest was 91 percent complete, slightly behind to last year's pace, but ahead of the 87-percent average for this date. Harvest was most active in the eastern Corn Belt, especially around the Great Lakes and along the Ohio River Valley. Growers in Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin harvested between 20 and 24 percent of their acreage during the week. Minnesota and North Dakota growers harvested the remainder of their acreage with few delays. Harvest neared completion in the western Corn Belt, with brief rain delays in Nebraska and South Dakota. Rain delays were longer and more widespread in Kansas. Dry weather aided rapid harvest progress in the interior Mississippi Delta. Harvest advanced 18 percentage points in Tennessee and 15 percentage points in Arkansas. The harvest gained momentum on the Atlantic Coastal Plains. Cotton: Sixty-seven percent of the crop was picked, about 1 week ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Rain limited harvest activity in the southern Great Plains. Oklahoma and Texas growers picked just 3 percent of their crop during the week, but progress remained far ahead of normal in Oklahoma and more than 1 week ahead of normal in Texas. Rain also limited harvest in Arizona, but harvest rapidly advanced in California before late-week rains halted progress. Dry weather aided rapid progress on the Atlantic Coastal Plains, especially in North and South Carolina. The harvest pace gained momentum in Virginia, but progress remained well behind normal. Louisiana growers finished picking their crop, and harvest neared completion in the interior Mississippi Delta States. Other Crops: Ninety-two percent of the sorghum crop was harvested, about 2 weeks ahead of last year's progress and 3 weeks ahead of the average for this date. Rain nearly halted harvest activity in Oklahoma, but progress remained far ahead of normal. Rain also limited progress in Kansas and Texas, but dry weather aided rapid harvest progress in Illinois and South Dakota. The sugar beet crop was 86 percent harvested in the major sugar beet-producing States. Growers in Minnesota and North Dakota lifted their remaining unharvested acres during the week. Digging was active in Idaho and Michigan, although progress lagged slightly in Idaho. The peanut crop was 80 percent dug, slightly ahead of last year's pace. Widespread heavy rains limited digging in Oklahoma and Texas, although progress remained far ahead of normal in Oklahoma. Harvest progressed behind normal in the Southeast, but neared completion ahead of normal on the Atlantic Coastal Plains. The sunflower harvest was 82 percent complete. Harvest was active in Colorado and the Dakota's, but rain, high grain moisture, and wheat seeding prevented progress in Kansas. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 79 65 57 63 IL : 94 86 91 80 IN : 78 65 91 69 IA : 96 91 92 74 KS : 100 99 91 90 KY : 94 90 99 91 MI : 36 27 71 48 MN : 93 85 87 78 MO : 96 94 89 80 NE : 94 88 83 68 NC : 96 92 89 94 ND : 78 51 69 74 OH : 52 37 77 53 PA : 45 27 50 50 SD : 78 65 61 58 TN : 100 100 100 99 TX : 99 98 98 98 WI : 64 46 78 55 : 18 Sts: 87 78 85 73 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 94% of last year's corn acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 57 38 54 52 CA : 30 25 14 12 CO : 99 98 100 100 ID : 97 94 94 94 IL : 90 68 92 90 IN : 91 74 91 89 KS : 86 84 98 97 MI : 97 90 95 96 MO : 80 64 77 73 MT : 92 86 98 98 NE : 100 99 100 100 NC : 34 25 29 33 OH : 92 82 95 95 OK : 61 60 93 91 OR : 96 81 68 83 SD : 93 90 99 100 TX : 70 61 75 83 WA : 100 100 94 97 : 18 Sts: 81 75 89 90 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Soybeans: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 73 58 71 64 IL : 95 87 96 92 IN : 92 82 96 90 IA : 99 98 99 97 KS : 96 91 88 84 KY : 77 55 83 66 LA : 99 94 97 93 MI : 72 52 92 84 MN : 100 99 97 96 MS : 94 89 93 85 MO : 88 80 85 77 NE : 97 93 98 95 NC : 20 12 20 17 ND : 100 97 95 94 OH : 86 73 93 87 SD : 97 94 95 92 TN : 72 54 72 52 WI : 94 70 95 90 : 18 Sts: 91 84 92 87 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 27 14 26 27 CA : 20 15 3 3 CO : 91 83 95 93 ID : 77 63 56 66 IL : 53 28 65 65 IN : 67 35 68 66 KS : 64 36 86 85 MI : 71 47 76 79 MO : 57 33 43 46 MT : 55 51 79 80 NE : 96 89 97 98 NC : 20 12 16 14 OH : 69 44 81 72 OK : 46 26 68 66 OR : 73 48 24 54 SD : 60 58 92 92 TX : 34 22 54 66 WA : 98 93 86 91 : 18 Sts: 59 41 72 74 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 80 76 73 70 AZ : 55 48 39 47 AR : 94 84 92 82 CA : 60 40 54 41 GA : 59 46 53 55 LA : 100 97 98 97 MS : 97 94 96 91 MO : 95 89 95 76 NC : 43 27 21 46 OK : 62 59 63 37 SC : 55 41 48 54 TN : 96 89 94 79 TX : 54 51 44 45 VA : 31 24 28 43 : 14 Sts: 67 60 60 59 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States harvested 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 99 98 100 99 CO : 60 55 56 47 IL : 92 77 87 70 KS : 97 95 84 78 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 94 91 86 78 NE : 96 91 81 75 NM : 46 43 38 27 OK : 74 73 68 47 SD : 89 79 63 75 TX : 92 90 91 84 : 11 Sts: 92 90 85 78 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 83 72 93 89 FL : 94 90 96 NA GA : 88 77 90 91 NC : 90 70 49 69 OK : 82 76 76 69 TX : 48 45 47 52 VA : 100 96 92 95 : 7 Sts : 80 71 78 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 7 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 67 46 78 72 MI : 56 38 NA NA MN : 100 99 99 97 ND : 100 99 100 98 : 4 Sts : 86 79 NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 73% of last year's sugarbeets acreage. Sunflowers: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Oct 29,:Oct 22,:Oct 29,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 60 45 NA NA KS : 88 88 82 NA ND : 79 59 59 78 SD : 91 83 67 79 : 4 Sts : 82 67 NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 90% of last year's sunflowers 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 : 44 30 24 2 0 :: NJ : 0 0 15 85 0 AZ : 15 28 32 23 2 :: NM : 28 37 30 5 0 AR : 27 36 28 9 0 :: NY : 0 0 0 75 25 CA : 30 20 35 15 0 :: NC : 6 28 35 29 2 CO : 21 22 39 17 1 :: ND : 8 19 41 28 4 CT : 0 0 21 54 25 :: OH : 1 6 24 54 15 DE : 0 5 15 65 15 :: OK : 21 33 37 9 0 FL : 5 25 40 30 0 :: OR : 1 33 19 47 0 GA : 11 29 41 18 1 :: PA : 5 28 24 42 1 ID : 17 27 40 16 0 :: RI : 0 2 4 5 89 IL : 5 14 33 42 6 :: SC : 3 22 43 31 1 IN : 1 6 26 57 10 :: SD : 16 22 34 22 6 IA : 23 22 36 16 3 :: TN : 31 30 30 9 0 KS : 26 33 29 11 1 :: TX : 21 34 35 10 0 KY : 4 12 34 44 6 :: UT : 11 39 36 12 2 LA : 32 40 21 7 0 :: VT : 6 21 54 11 8 ME : 0 10 45 35 10 :: VA : 4 17 43 34 2 MD : 0 9 19 63 9 :: WA : 0 41 35 24 0 MA : 0 0 24 73 3 :: WV : 0 0 33 58 9 MI : 2 12 34 45 7 :: WI : 14 22 35 28 1 MN : 15 24 37 21 3 :: WY : 28 39 26 7 0 MS : 49 27 17 7 0 :: : MO : 21 31 31 16 1 :: 48 Sts : 20 27 31 20 2 MT : 31 37 28 4 0 :: : NE : 51 29 14 6 0 :: Prev Wk: 22 26 31 19 2 NV : 14 14 28 44 0 :: Prev Yr: 14 24 32 27 3 NH : 0 2 45 53 0 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. 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