We 1 (4-02) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released April 16, 2002, 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 89, No. 16 April 7 - 13, 2002 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: A sudden transition to summer-like conditions resulted in above-normal temperatures nearly nationwide and an increase in shower activity across the eastern half of the Nation. Weekly temperatures averaged at least 10 degrees F above normal in several locations from the Southwest to the western Corn Belt, including portions of the central Plains, aggravating soil moisture shortages. Warm weather and widespread showers aided dryland small grains in the Northwest. However, mostly dry weather persisted in the Southwest, where hot weather increased irrigation demands, further stressed ranges and pastures, and caused early melting of the region's meager snow packs. On the Plains, much-needed rainfall dampened much of Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Texas, although most of the driest locations (a broad area centered on southwestern Kansas) received less than 1 inch of precipitation. Elsewhere, 1 to 3 inches of rain fell across eastern Kansas, while 2 to 5 inches drenched the southern two-thirds of Oklahoma. In contrast, warm, mostly dry weather prevailed in drought-affected areas from Montana to Nebraska, prompting winter wheat greening and growth in areas with enough topsoil moisture to support crop development. Across the South, soaking rainfall (2 to 5 inches, with locally higher amounts) continued to hamper fieldwork from northeastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma to the lower Ohio Valley. Heavy rain also slowed fieldwork in the Gulf Coast region from southeastern Texas to western Florida. In contrast, only light showers dampened the drought-affected middle and southern Atlantic Coastal Plain, reducing topsoil moisture for pastures, winter grains, and emerging summer crops. In the Corn Belt, beneficial showers fell across the upper Mississippi Valley, while wetness continued to slow fieldwork from the Ohio Valley to the lower Great Lakes region. Meanwhile in the western Corn Belt, dry conditions promoted an acceleration of fieldwork, including early corn planting. Early in the week, cool weather lingered along the East Coast, while heavy showers and thunderstorms spread across the South and Midwest. On Sunday, daily-record lows included 23 degrees F in Lynchburg, VA, and 27 degrees F in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Farther west, record rainfall totals for April 7 were observed in locations such as Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX (3.18 inches), and Oklahoma City, OK (2.38 inches). Other precipitation totals on April 7 included 4.56 inches in Ft. Smith, AR, and 4.45 inches in McAlester, OK. In Moline, IL, daily rainfall records were established on April 7 (0.96 inch) and 8 (1.12 inches). Elsewhere on Monday, daily-record totals included 1.47 inches in Grand Rapids, MI, 2.51 inches in Jackson, MS, and 3.74 inches in Victoria, TX. Victoria's April 8 rainfall exceeded their monthly normal of 2.97 inches and boosted their year-to-date total to 5.22 inches (66 percent of normal through April 14). Just to the south, however, January 1 - April 14 rainfall totaled 0.80 inch (13 percent of normal) in Corpus Christi, TX. After midweek, warmth expanded across much of the Nation, particularly the West. Las Vegas, NV, posted a record-tying high of 88 degrees F on April 11. Two days later, daily-record highs included 107 degrees F in Death Valley, CA, 99 degrees F in Phoenix, AZ, 97 degrees F in Chatsworth, CA, and 78 degrees F in Billings, MT. A few thunderstorms returned to the central and southern Plains, producing a daily-record rainfall for April 13 in Amarillo, TX. Amarillo's 1.69-inch total easily exceeded their 1.33-inch normal for the month. Nevertheless, extremely dry conditions persisted across large portions of the High Plains, including Dodge City, KS, where the April 1-14 rainfall total of 0.37 inch left their precipitation since October 1, 2001, at 1.87 inches (27 percent of normal). Meanwhile in western New Mexico, a wildfire in the Gila National Forest grew to more than 37,000 acres during the week, accounting for more than half of the Southwest's year-to-date charred acreage and about 12 percent of the national total through April 12. Farther east, another round of precipitation spread across the Midwest and into the East toward week's end. In Vermont, Montpelier netted a daily-record total (1.14 inches on April 13) and Burlington (1.02 inches on April 13-14) received more than 1 inch in a 2-day period for the first time since 1.39 inches fell on January 31 - February 1. In the middle and southern Atlantic regions, April 1-14 rainfall totals were as low as 0.28 inch (22 percent of normal) in Washington, DC, and 0.29 inch (18 percent) in Raleigh-Durham, NC. In Hawaii, warm, mostly dry weather prevailed throughout the week nearly statewide. Hawaiian temperatures averaged up to 3 degrees F above normal, and the highest 24-hour precipitation total (1.20 inches) was observed on the Big Island at Pahala on April 9-10. Meanwhile in Alaska, mostly dry weather accompanied a persistent temperature pattern (cold across the central interior and the southeast, and mild in the north and west) for the seventh consecutive week. From March 1 - April 14, precipitation totaled just 3.62 inches (20 percent of normal) in Yakutat, 1.45 inches (30 percent) in Juneau, and 0.08 inch (7 percent) in McGrath. National Agricultural Summary April 8 - 14, 2002 Highlights: Above-normal temperatures promoted winter grain development across most of the Nation. Winter wheat fields quickly entered the heading stage in the Southwest, and many fields emerged from dormancy in the northern Great Plains. Rain slowed fieldwork and planting along the western and central Gulf Coast, but provided moisture for emerging rice, cotton, and corn fields. Fieldwork and planting gained momentum in the Southeast and southern Corn Belt, although rain shortened an otherwise productive week in the lower Ohio River Valley. Across the remainder of the Corn Belt, rain limited fieldwork east of the Mississippi River and planting was mostly limited to small grains west of the Mississippi River. In the upper Mississippi Valley and northern Great Plains, field preparations gradually accelerated, but small grain seeding was isolated. Corn: Planting doubled to 4 percent complete, equal to this date last year but behind the 5 percent average. Planting remained active in Missouri and accelerated along the lower Ohio and Tennessee River Valleys. In Tennessee, growers planted one-fifth of their acreage during the week, but progress remained behind normal. Rain shortened a productive week for Kansas and Kentucky producers. A few fields were planted in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio, but rain and cold soil temperatures prevented widespread progress across much of the central and northern Corn Belt. Planting also began in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Light showers barely slowed planting on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, where North Carolina growers seeded 20 percent of their acreage. In Texas, dry weather supported planting on the Plains, while rain and warm weather promoted emergence and growth in eastern and southern regions of the State. Winter Wheat: Three percent of the Nation's winter wheat has headed, behind last year's 5 percent and the 5-year average of 7 percent. Above-normal temperatures stimulated growth across most of the Nation during the week, but development remained behind normal in most areas. Fields headed about 1 week later than normal in Texas, and about 2 weeks behind normal in Arkansas and Oklahoma. In Kansas, fields entered the jointing stage much later than normal. Fields were also jointing later than normal in the eastern Corn Belt. One-third of acreage remained in dormancy in the northern Great Plains, and only 8 percent of Montana's crop was producing vegetative growth. Cotton: Planting advanced to 9 percent complete, 1 percentage point ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Warm, dry weather supported rapid planting in the Southwest, where about one-fifth of the Arizona and California acreage was seeded during the week. Planting progressed ahead of normal in Texas, although rain interrupted progress in southern and eastern areas of the State, and dry soils limited progress on the High Plains. Planting slowly gained momentum in the Southeast, and a few fields were planted in the interior Mississippi Delta. Rain prevented planting along much of the central and western Gulf Coast. Small grains: Spring wheat planting progressed to 5 percent, slightly ahead of last year's 4 percent but behind the 8-percent average for this date. Planting accelerated in Idaho and remained active in Washington, as rain delays were isolated and mostly brief. Planting slowly gained momentum on the northern Great Plains, but progress remained more than 1 week behind normal in South Dakota. The barley crop was 11 percent seeded, compared with last year's 10 percent and the 5-year average of 12 percent. Warm weather supported planting in the Pacific Northwest, as Idaho and Washington grower's seeded about one-fifth of their acreage during the week, despite scattered rain delays. Warm weather also encouraged fieldwork on the northern Great Plains, but planting remained stalled in Minnesota and North Dakota and barely progressed in Montana. Oat seeding advanced to 17 percent, well ahead of last year's delayed progress but behind the 19-percent average for this date. Emergence, at 2 percent, exceeded last year's 1-percent but trailed the 5-year average of 4 percent. Planting remained very active in Iowa, despite brief rain delays. Mostly dry weather aided rapid progress in Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, rain prevented planting across most of the eastern Corn Belt. In Ohio, progress lagged 2 weeks behind the 5-year average. Planting began in the upper Mississippi Valley and northern Great Plains, but progress lagged due to cold, wet soils. Warm weather aided emergence in the western Corn Belt, especially in Nebraska. Rice: Twenty-two percent of the crop has been planted and 12 percent has emerged. Planting trailed last year's rapid 28-percent pace, but was slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Emergence equaled last year's pace and was 2 percentage points ahead of normal. Planting was very active along the western Gulf Coast prior to mid-week storms that halted planting in most areas. In the interior Mississippi Delta, planting gradually gained momentum as warm, dry weather removed excess moisture from soggy fields. Planting also began in California. Above-normal temperatures and abundant moisture promoted rapid germination and emergence in Louisiana and Texas, where more than one-half of the acreage has emerged. Sorghum: Planting reached 16 percent complete, slightly ahead of last year and the average of 13 and 15 percent, respectively. Planting accelerated in the interior Mississippi Delta, even though one-third of the topsoil in Arkansas remained excessively wet. In Louisiana, planting lagged behind normal as heavy mid-week rainfall halted early-week progress. In Texas, planting remained ahead of normal, even though rain interrupted field preparations and planting in eastern areas and dry soils held back progress on the High Plains. Other crops: Sugarbeet planting progressed to 9 percent complete in the four major sugarbeet-producing States. Planting trailed last year and the average for this date of 14 and 12 percent, respectively. Aided by warm, dry weather, Idaho growers planted nearly one-third of their acreage during the week. Field preparations accelerated in Michigan and the Red River Valley. A few fields were planted in North Dakota, but progress was isolated. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 0 6 26 CA : 60 30 46 57 CO : 0 0 0 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 : 0 0 1 1 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NC : 16 8 12 18 OH : 0 0 4 5 OK : 2 0 3 10 OR : 0 0 0 0 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 13 10 22 21 WA : 0 0 0 0 : 18 Sts: 3 2 5 7 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 1 0 1 2 IL : 1 0 4 5 IN : 0 0 3 2 IA : 1 0 0 0 KS : 11 4 10 8 KY : 17 3 21 18 MI : 0 0 0 0 MN : 0 0 0 0 MO : 26 10 12 19 NE : 1 0 0 1 NC : 33 *13 36 34 ND : 0 0 0 0 OH : 2 1 3 3 PA : 1 0 0 1 SD : 0 0 0 0 TN : 25 5 34 33 TX : 59 56 41 52 WI : 0 0 0 0 : 18 Sts: 4 2 4 5 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 9 1 6 8 AZ : 37 19 34 32 AR : 0 0 1 0 CA : 35 15 29 32 GA : 6 3 2 4 LA : 0 0 5 2 MS : 0 0 4 2 MO : 1 0 0 0 NC : 2 0 0 2 OK : 0 0 0 0 SC : 5 0 2 4 TN : 0 0 0 1 TX : 13 11 12 11 VA : 0 0 0 0 : 14 Sts: 9 6 8 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 18 4 34 18 CO : 0 0 0 0 IL : 0 0 0 0 KS : 0 0 0 0 LA : 8 3 13 12 MO : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 2 0 3 1 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 43 40 35 40 : 11 Sts: 16 14 13 15 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 10 1 23 12 CA : 1 0 0 1 LA : 69 *53 65 64 MS : 3 1 29 21 MO : 2 0 1 1 TX : 85 65 64 50 : 6 Sts : 22 *14 28 21 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 NA 3 1 CA : 0 NA 0 0 LA : 52 NA 45 45 MS : 0 NA 10 5 MO : 0 NA 0 0 TX : 60 NA 38 30 : 5 Sts : 12 NA 12 10 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 49 17 34 49 MI : 2 1 47 17 MN : 0 0 0 1 ND : 1 0 0 0 : 4 Sts : 9 3 14 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States planted 81% of last year's sugarbeet acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 31 9 28 38 MN : 0 0 0 3 MT : 1 0 4 7 ND : 1 0 0 1 SD : 9 1 2 22 WA : 58 39 50 55 : 6 Sts : 5 2 4 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 30 10 27 27 MN : 0 0 0 3 MT : 4 3 7 9 ND : 0 0 0 0 WA : 41 19 28 38 : 5 Sts : 11 5 10 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 61 34 4 44 MN : 2 0 0 10 NE : 60 39 19 47 ND : 1 0 0 1 OH : 12 11 44 50 PA : 43 17 7 27 SD : 8 1 0 18 WI : 6 1 0 14 : 8 Sts : 17 9 4 19 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 49% of last year's oat acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 14,:Apr 7, :Apr 14,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 3 NA 0 6 MN : 0 NA 0 1 NE : 15 NA 2 16 ND : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 2 NA 16 16 PA : 12 NA 2 10 SD : 0 NA 0 1 WI : 0 NA 0 0 : 8 Sts: 2 NA 1 4 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 49% of last year's oat acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 4 18 34 38 6 CA : 0 0 5 90 5 CO : 14 24 43 18 1 ID : 0 9 24 62 5 IL : 0 3 24 53 20 IN : 1 7 35 49 8 KS : 18 22 35 23 2 MI : 1 9 35 45 10 MO : 1 7 30 55 7 MT : 28 32 30 9 1 NE : 6 19 43 32 0 NC : 0 5 24 64 7 OH : 2 7 28 54 9 OK : 24 19 33 21 3 OR : 10 15 32 41 2 SD : 2 14 39 39 6 TX : 24 25 32 16 3 WA : 1 2 35 55 7 : 18 Sts : 15 18 33 30 4 : Prev Wk : 14 20 35 28 3 Prev Yr : 6 14 35 39 6 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2001 planted acres. Crop Progress and Condition Survey and Estimating Procedures Survey Procedures: Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data that are collected each week from early April to the end of November. The Crop progress and condition surveys are non-probability surveys that include a sample of more than 5,000 reporters whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these reporters subjectively estimate progress of farmers' activities and progress of crops through their stages of development. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions. Most reporters complete their questionnaire on Friday or early Monday morning and submit it to the Agricultural Statistics Service's office in their State by mail, telephone, fax, e-mail, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of the time that the questionnaire is completed, reporters are asked to report for the week ending on Sunday. For reports submitted prior to the Sunday reference date, a degree of uncertainty is introduced into the projections for weekend progress and crop condition changes. By the end of the 2001 season, nearly two-thirds of the data were being submitted through the internet website. As a result, about one-half of all data are submitted on Monday morning, which has significantly reduced this projection uncertainty. Reporters are sent written reporting instructions at the beginning of each season and are contacted periodically to ensure proper reporting. Terms and definitions of crop stages and condition categories that are used as reporting guidelines are available on the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) website at: www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/cwterms.htm. Estimating Procedures: Reported data are reviewed for reasonableness and consistency by comparing with data reported the previous week and data reported in surrounding counties for the current week. Each State Statistical Office summarizes the reported data to district and State levels, weighting each county's reported data by NASS county acreage estimates. Summarized indications are compared with previous week estimates, and progress items are compared with earlier stages of development and historical averages to ensure reasonableness. Weather events and reporter comments are also taken into consideration. State estimates are submitted to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) along with supporting comments, where they are compared with surrounding States and compiled into a National level summary by weighting each State by its acreage estimates. Revision Policy: Progress and condition estimates in the "Crop Progress" report are released at 4:00 pm ET on the first business day of the week. 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