We 1 (11-00) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released November 14, 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. 46 November 5 - 11, 2000 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Heavy rain (2 to 6 inches, with locally higher totals) soaked areas from the southeastern Plains to the southern Appalachians, easing long-term drought and aiding pastures and winter grains. Significant rain (generally 1 to 3 inches) fell as far north as the Corn Belt, disrupting final summer crop harvesting. However, only light showers overspread the parched southern Atlantic region, further hampering winter wheat emergence and establishment. Meanwhile on the southern Plains, where wet fields continued to slow winter wheat planting, a midweek snow storm raised additional concerns about the quality of unharvested cotton. Very cold weather halted winter wheat development on the northern and central Plains and across the interior Northwest, although snow cover insulated the crop in most areas. By week's end, snow blanketed areas as far south as northeastern Colorado and northwestern Kansas. Late-week temperatures fell to as low as -10 to -20 degrees F in eastern portions of Montana and Wyoming, helping to hold weekly readings more than 20 degrees F below normal. Temperatures averaged 5 to 23 degrees F below normal in the Plains and Intermountain West, contrasting sharply with warm weather in the East (up to 8 degrees F above normal). In addition, showery weather in the West continued to boost soil moisture reserves and high-elevation snow packs. Snow lingered across the North-Central States early in the week, followed by another significant storm toward week's end. On Monday, Williston, ND was blanketed by 6.3 inches of snow. By week's end, Williston's month-to-date precipitation reached 3.19 inches, including 18.3 inches of snow, easily surpassing their previous November 1896 record of 2.10 inches. Elsewhere across the northern half of the Plains, November 1-12 snowfall reached 14.5 inches in Glasgow, MT, 14.2 inches in Huron, SD, and 12.1 inches in Kearney, NE. On November 5-6, Glasgow's 12.1-inch snowfall eclipsed their record for any 24-hour period (10.9 inches), previously set in March 1987. In South Dakota, the late-week storm produced 2-day (November 11-12) totals of 9.1 inches in Mitchell and 10.0 inches in Aberdeen. Snow also continued to blanket the Intermountain West, where month-to-date (November 1-12) snow totals reached 13.0 inches in Salt Lake City, UT and 10.2 inches in Flagstaff, AZ. Farther east, snow briefly blanketed parts of the southern Plains, resulting in a 4.0-inch total on November 7 in Lubbock, TX. Accumulations were also noted in the Northwest, where Spokane, WA received 5.9 inches on November 8-9. The snow in eastern Washington and vicinity helped to protect winter wheat from Spokane's earliest sub-zero cold on record (-2 degrees F on November 11). Spokane's previous earliest such observance was -2 degrees F on November 13, 1959. The low also represented Spokane's first reading below 0 degrees F since January 12, 1998. The cool influence extended as far south as the Southwest, where Phoenix, AZ registered high temperatures ranging from 59 to 69 degrees F during the first 12 days of the month (normal highs range from 76 to 81 degrees F). From midweek onward, more than three dozen daily-record lows were established across the western half of the Nation. On Thursday, temperatures dipped below 20 degrees F as far south as northern Texas, where Amarillo noted 16 degrees F. Two days later, daily-record lows included -19 degrees F in Casper, WY, -6 degrees F in Alliance, NE, and 0 degrees F in Wells, NV. Sub-freezing readings crept as far south as the northern portion of California's Sacramento Valley, where Red Bluff posted a low of 30 degrees F on November 11. In contrast, a handful of daily-record highs were reported across the South, including highs of 88 degrees F in Brownsville, TX (on November 7), Orlando, FL (on November 8), and Miami, FL (on November 10). Occasional heavy rain accompanied the mild weather across the South through midweek. On Wednesday, Nashville, TN received 3.29 inches, a station record for November 8. Two days later, heavy rain spread into the Northeast, where Providence, RI (1.83 inches) netted a daily-record sum. Light rain returned to the southern Atlantic States, following the November 4 showers that ended record-setting spells without measurable precipitation in locations such as Raleigh-Durham, NC (38 days from September 27 to November 3) and Norfolk, VA (33 days from October 2 to November 3). Nevertheless, November 1-12 rainfall remained well below normal, totaling just 0.16 inch in Raleigh-Durham and 0.23 inch in Norfolk. Seasonal showers continued across Hawaii, following the previous week's torrential rainfall. On Oahu, Honolulu's November 1-12 rainfall increased to 1.90 inches, boosting their year-to-date total to 6.73 inches (41 percent of normal). Meanwhile in Alaska, widespread precipitation accompanied higher-than-normal temperatures (5 to 11 degrees F above normal in southwestern parts of the State). On November 8, Bethel's 1.45-inch precipitation represented their highest 1-day total since 1.50 inches fell on September 29, 1954. National Agricultural Summary November 6 - 12, 2000 Highlights: Rain continued to boost soil moisture supplies in the lower Mississippi Valley, adjacent parts of the southern Great Plains and Southeast, and scattered parts of the Corn Belt. The wet weather prevented completion of the fall harvest season in the central and western Corn Belt and limited harvest progress in the southern Great Plains and Mississippi Delta. Wet weather also delayed winter wheat seeding. Fall harvest activity continued with few rain delays on the Atlantic Coastal Plains, southern High Plains, and Southwest. Ample moisture supplies aided winter wheat emergence, but cold weather limited growth west of the Mississippi River, especially on the High Plains, where daily low temperatures dropped below zero degrees F. Winter wheat: Eighty-eight percent of the crop was planted and 79 percent was emerged, compared with the averages of 95 percent planted and 86 percent emerged. Heavy rain continued to increase soil moisture supplies in the Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and central Corn Belt. The wet weather limited planting progress in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, but planting continued with few delays on the southern High Plains. In Oklahoma, just two-thirds of the crop was seeded, compared with 97 percent normally planted by this date. Mostly dry weather aided rapid planting in California and North Carolina, where growers seeded 15 and 19 percent of the acreage during the week, respectively. Progress was far ahead of the 5-year average in California. Ample moisture supplies aided rapid emergence in the lower Mississippi Valley and Corn Belt, especially in Arkansas, where more than one-fifth of the crop emerged during the week. More than 10 percent emerged in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan during the week. Above-normal temperatures stimulated growth in the eastern Corn Belt until late in the week, while cold weather hampered growth west of the Mississippi River. Fields emerged in the northern Great Plains, despite frigid temperatures in Montana and South Dakota during part of the week. Along the Atlantic Coastal Plains, warm weather stimulated emergence and growth where moisture supplies were adequate. Crop conditions deteriorated in Montana and South Dakota due to extreme cold weather. Conditions declined in Oklahoma and Texas due to excessive moisture. In North Carolina, moisture shortages stressed emerged fields. Corn: Harvest advanced to 95 percent complete, behind last year's 97-percent pace, but more than 1 week ahead of the 91-percent average for this date. Harvest remained active in the Great Lakes region, while rain prevented completion of the harvest in other parts of the Corn Belt. Michigan growers harvested 14 percent of their crop during the week, but progress remained slightly behind normal. Harvest continued ahead of normal in Ohio and Wisconsin, where growers harvested 10 and 12 percent of their crop, respectively. Harvest fell well behind normal in North Dakota, as a mixture of wintery precipitation prevented progress. Harvest also remained well behind normal in Pennsylvania. The harvest season ended ahead of normal in Kentucky and North Carolina. Cotton: Seventy-seven percent of the crop was picked, 3 percentage points ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Dry weather aided rapid harvest on the Atlantic Coastal Plains, where Virginia and North Carolina growers picked 27 and 20 percent of their crop during the week, respectively. The harvest pace was slower in Georgia and South Carolina, but steadily progressed ahead of normal. Harvest continued with few delays on the High Plains, but persistent rains halted harvest activity in other parts of the Great Plains, the Mississippi Delta, and adjacent parts of the interior Southeast. Harvest remained well ahead of normal in Oklahoma, despite slow progress. Rain prevented completion of the harvest season in Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. Harvest progressed ahead of normal in the Southwest, although some Arizona growers experienced rain delays. Other Crops: The peanut crop was 89 percent dug, slightly behind last year's pace. Digging neared completion ahead of normal along the Atlantic Coastal Plains due to dry weather. Rain interfered with harvest progress in inland areas of the eastern Gulf Coast, especially in Alabama. Harvest also lagged in the southern Great Plains due to wet weather. The sugar beet crop was 98 percent harvested in the major sugar beet-producing States. Dry weather aided rapid harvest progress in Idaho, and rain delays were brief in Michigan. The sunflower harvest was 88 percent complete. A combination of rain and snow limited harvest progress in the central and northern Great Plains. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Nov 12,:Nov 5, :Nov 12,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 81 74 83 77 CA : 50 35 32 29 CO : 100 100 100 100 ID : 100 98 98 99 IL : 100 95 99 99 IN : 100 98 100 99 KS : 93 92 100 99 MI : 100 100 100 100 MO : 93 89 95 91 MT : 100 94 100 100 NE : 100 100 100 100 NC : 60 41 41 55 OH : 99 98 100 99 OK : 67 63 96 97 OR : 100 100 89 93 SD : 100 98 100 100 TX : 83 78 86 91 WA : 100 100 99 99 : 18 Sts: 88 85 94 95 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Nov 12,:Nov 5, :Nov 12,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 94 91 91 85 IL : 99 98 99 94 IN : 98 92 100 88 IA : 99 98 99 93 KS : 100 100 100 97 KY : 100 97 100 96 MI : 74 60 92 75 MN : 97 96 97 95 MO : 99 98 98 90 NE : 96 95 97 90 NC : 100 98 97 99 ND : 85 85 94 97 OH : 83 73 94 78 PA : 62 56 75 73 SD : 93 87 92 90 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 100 100 100 100 WI : 87 75 94 80 : 18 Sts: 95 92 97 91 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 94% of last year's corn acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Nov 12,:Nov 5, :Nov 12,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 63 42 57 58 CA : 30 25 9 11 CO : 99 97 99 98 ID : 85 82 81 87 IL : 93 82 93 92 IN : 95 80 92 91 KS : 87 81 92 93 MI : 96 86 96 95 MO : 84 71 73 73 MT : 84 70 86 88 NE : 100 99 100 100 NC : 35 22 24 36 OH : 94 85 98 92 OK : 60 56 81 84 OR : 85 81 46 74 SD : 74 65 95 98 TX : 62 53 65 78 WA : 100 99 92 95 : 18 Sts: 79 72 82 86 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Nov 12,:Nov 5, :Nov 12,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 91 88 87 85 AZ : 70 65 59 68 AR : 98 97 99 94 CA : 80 75 86 73 GA : 78 70 71 71 LA : 100 100 100 99 MS : 100 99 100 98 MO : 98 97 99 89 NC : 80 60 42 65 OK : 69 63 81 53 SC : 75 66 69 72 TN : 99 98 99 90 TX : 60 57 60 61 VA : 69 42 51 66 : 14 Sts: 77 73 74 74 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States harvested 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Nov 12,:Nov 5, :Nov 12,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 95 92 100 98 FL : 99 95 100 NA GA : 98 94 98 98 NC : 99 97 79 89 OK : 86 83 95 91 TX : 56 52 73 75 VA : 100 100 99 99 : 7 Sts : 89 85 92 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 7 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Nov 12,:Nov 5, :Nov 12,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 91 73 99 97 MI : 97 83 NA NA MN : 100 100 99 99 ND : 100 100 100 100 : 4 Sts : 98 92 NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 73% of last year's sugarbeets acreage. Sunflowers: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Nov 12,:Nov 5, :Nov 12,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 82 79 NA NA KS : 97 93 98 NA ND : 83 83 92 93 SD : 97 92 94 93 : 4 Sts : 88 86 NA NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 90% of last year's sunflowers acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 4 43 41 12 CA : 0 0 15 80 5 CO : 3 6 18 58 15 ID : 0 0 7 87 6 IL : 0 2 22 65 11 IN : 0 1 19 59 21 KS : 1 7 37 49 6 MI : 0 1 13 78 8 MO : 0 8 42 45 5 MT : 0 11 57 32 0 NE : 0 4 37 52 7 NC : 5 14 35 44 2 OH : 0 1 14 63 22 OK : 6 18 30 41 5 OR : 0 4 11 85 0 SD : 12 13 51 20 4 TX : 2 12 49 34 3 WA : 0 0 33 62 5 : 18 Sts : 2 9 35 48 6 : Prev Wk : 2 8 36 47 7 Prev Yr : 3 14 38 38 7 -------------------------------------- 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. on November 21, 2000. 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