We 1 (3-03) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 11, 2003, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Terry P. O'Connor at (202) 720-4288, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary Volume 90, No. 10 March 2 - 8, 2003 For additional information, call (202) 720-7919. HIGHLIGHTS: Shifting weather patterns brought a return of drier weather to the Southwest and an increase in precipitation across the Northwest. Despite recent improvements in topsoil moisture and mountain snowpacks, much of the West neared the end of a disappointing winter wet season, with many areas facing summer water-supply concerns. Meanwhile, another strong push of frigid air swept across the Plains, keeping winter wheat dormant across all but southernmost portions of the region. The southward and eastward push of Arctic air kept weekly temperatures more than 6 deg F below normal throughout the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast, including departures between -24 and -32 deg F in the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Warm weather returned to the southern Plains after midweek, promoting the most significant wheat growth since a mid-February warm spell. Farther north, concerns for winter wheat persisted on the drought-affected northern and central High Plains due to soil moisture shortages and a shallow protective snow cover (generally 4 inches or less) during recent cold outbreaks. A reinforcing shot of Arctic air overspread the northern Plains and upper Midwest toward week's end, maintaining stress on livestock. Earlier in the week, one of the most widespread Midwestern storms of the winter had dumped 2 to 10 inches of snow across much of the Corn Belt, providing a much-needed boost in topsoil moisture but briefly disrupting rural travel. Farther south, occasional heavy rainfall from an active storm track continued to slow planting preparations from the western Gulf Coast region to the southern Atlantic States. The exception was southern Florida, where very warm, mostly dry weather favored citrus during the bloom season and spring fieldwork. Consistent warmth was confined to southern Florida, although warmer-than-normal weather made a significant push across the South and East by week's end. In Florida, Miami set or tied six daily-record highs during the first 8 days of March, including their earliest reading of 90 deg F or higher on March 2 (previously, March 5, 1964). Miami posted highs of 90 deg F on March 2 and 4. In stark contrast, Williston, ND, collected five daily-record lows from March 1-8, including minima of -30 deg F on March 2, 5, and 8. Elsewhere in North Dakota, highs failed to reach 0 deg F on March 8 in locations such as Fargo (-1 deg F) and Devils Lake (-4 deg F). In the Northeast, cold air arrived in two surges, peaking in intensity on March 3 and 7. Locations setting daily-record lows on both dates included New York's Central Park (11 and 11 deg F) and Binghamton, NY (-3 and -5 deg F). Elsewhere on March 3, Mt. Mansfield (Vermont's highest peak) recorded a low of -31 deg F, while Marquette, MI (-30 deg F), shattered their monthly record low, previously set on March 1, 1962, by 3 deg F. Unofficially, Ewen, MI, on the western part of the Upper Peninsula, posted a March 3 low of -42 deg F. Early in the week, a departing storm system produced heavy precipitation (locally 1 inch or more), mostly rain, in the coastal Northeast. On March 2, Trenton, NJ (0.89 inch), measured a daily-record rainfall. A day later, widespread showers developed in the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic States, where Daytona Beach, FL (1.48 inches), collected a daily-record total. Additional heavy rain fell across the South at midweek. Farther north, a band of heavy snow developed across the Corn Belt. From March 3-5, Midwestern snowfall totals included 8.5 inches in Davenport, IA, and 6.6 inches in Flint, MI. The snow nearly doubled Davenport's season-to-date total, which reached 18.8 inches by week's end. In the storm's wake, snow showers lingered in the Great Lakes region. Muskegon, MI, received at least a trace of snow on each of the first 8 days in March, totaling 8.8 inches. Farther west, heavy precipitation overspread areas from the Pacific Northwest to the northern High Plains. Snow was especially heavy in the Cascades, where weekly snowfall totals in the 3- to 6-foot range were common. In northwestern Oregon, a reporting station on the slopes of Mt. Hood (upper meadows) received 55 inches of snow from March 3-8, including 29 inches in 24 hours on March 6-7. Farther east, highly beneficial snow developed on the northern Plains, although a portion of the winter wheat crop had already been exposed to very cold weather in late February and early March. March 5-8 snowfall in Montana included 15.4 inches at the National Weather Service office in Billings and 5.8 inches in Glasgow. Only light showers were observed in Hawaii until after midweek, when locally heavy rain overspread areas from Kauai to Maui. The heaviest rain fell across Kauai and Oahu on March 6-7, resulting in scattered 24-hour totals of 1 to 2 inches or more. Kalaheo, Kauai, netted 2.46 inches during the 24-hour period. Meanwhile, sharply colder weather arrived in southeastern Alaska, but temperatures remained above normal elsewhere across the State. Annette Island, AK, posted a daily-record high of 50 deg F on March 2, followed 6 days later by a daily-record low of 11 deg F. Meanwhile, mid- to late-week record highs across northern and western Alaska included 19 deg F (on March 6) in Barrow and 32 deg F (on March 7) in Kotzebue. Unsettled weather brought surplus weekly precipitation to most of western and central Alaska, including 1.03 inches at Cold Bay, 1.02 inches at Bettles, 0.96 inch at Galena, and 0.52 inch at McGrath, while drier-than-normal conditions covered the southern and southeastern sections of the state. National Agricultural Summary March 3 - 9, 2003 Precipitation fell in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountain regions. Below-normal temperatures continued, and snowpack increased in the northern Rockies, Great Plains, and Great Lakes regions. Record to near-record lows were recorded in the northern tier of states from Montana to Michigan. Light snows covered much of the Corn Belt. Drier weather returned to the Southwest. Wet weather continued in the Southeast. There was a general warm-up in the Southwest and Southeast. Frequent showers brought ample moisture to Florida except parts of the southern peninsula. Rains replenished topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies over most of the panhandle and the peninsula with supplies rated mostly adequate to surplus. Wet soils delayed corn, soybean, tobacco, watermelon, and other vegetable planting. Warmer weather and adequate moisture spurred growth of small grains. Sugarcane harvest continued in the Everglades with recent rains only slightly delaying fieldwork. Strawberry harvest continued at a normal pace. Cabbage harvest increased to meet the mid-March holiday demand. Spring weather covered Florida's citrus belt. Trees were in very good to excellent condition. Most growers irrigated to maintain optimum tree condition during the bloom cycle. Early and midseason orange harvest was virtually complete. Grapefruit movement continued to be active. Timely rains in California's southern San Joaquin Valley provided good moisture and growth for dryland grain and hay crops. Cutting and windrowing of alfalfa hay increased in southern areas as plant growth accelerated. Orchards continued to bloom across the State, as growers applied blossom sprays to control disease and insect pests as necessary. Vines broke dormancy and displayed open leaf buds in many early variety vineyards. Navel oranges, mandarins, lemons, and grapefruit were picked and packed. Weather conditions for almond pollination remained less than ideal. Rainfall kept rangeland and pastures in good condition in many parts of the State. Winter's sting wore off in Texas as warmer weather was experienced. Producers in the wettest areas will need at least one week of dry weather before planting can begin. In west Texas and the plains, lack of soil moisture had some producers irrigating though many were waiting due to rising fuel prices. Corn planting was delayed in most places due to excessive moisture. Some cotton producers in the High Plains pre-watered fields due to a lack of winter moisture. Rio Grande Valley producers harvested sugarcane, citrus, greens, and cabbage. Cattle grazed on small grains and supplemental feeding continued. Hay supplies began to run short in areas soaked by rain during the winter. The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released after 12 p.m. ET on March 18, 2003. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). 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