We 1 (3-03) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 18, 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. 11 March 9 - 15, 2003 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: Spring-like weather suddenly replaced a wintry pattern from the Plains into the Midwest, as very warm conditions in the West expanded to encompass much of the Nation by week's end. In the West, weekly temperatures generally ranged from 4 to 12 degrees F above normal. Despite the warming trend, beneficially wet weather continued across the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. Toward week's end, heavy precipitation spread southward through the Pacific Coast States, reaching southern California. Meanwhile, cold weather lingered for much of the week across the northern Plains and Midwest, where readings averaged as much as 12 degrees F below normal. Warm, dry weather arrived, however, by week's end, boosting temperatures to 80 degrees F as far north as South Dakota and further reducing soil moisture reserves across the Plains (excluding southern portions of the region) and the Midwest (excluding areas along and south of the Ohio River). During the week, light to moderate precipitation (0.5 to 1.5 inches) was confined to a narrow band from eastern Kansas to Ohio. Farther south, record warmth (up to 9 degrees F above normal) continued across Florida's peninsula, promoting growth of next year's citrus crop but increasing irrigation requirements. Elsewhere in the South, occasional showers from the western Gulf Coast region to the southern Atlantic States slowed spring fieldwork and maintained adequate to excessive soil moisture levels. On Sunday, daily-record lows in the upper Midwest included -10 degrees F in Wausau, WI, and Minneapolis, MN. High temperatures for March 9 were the lowest on record in locations such as Glasgow, MT (-1 degree F), and Marquette, MI (4 degrees F). Marquette's high was also their lowest on record for the month, breaking the record of 5 degrees F set on March 6 and 11, 1984. Very cold weather continued across the Midwest through March 10, when lows of -5 degrees F in Dubuque, IA, and Madison, WI, set records for the date. During the mid- to late-week period, however, warm weather resulted in more than 100 daily-record highs across the Plains, Midwest, and West. From March 12-14, Whitman Mission, WA, posted a trio of daily records (68, 74, and 67 degrees F). Farther east, consecutive daily-record highs were noted in locations such as Valentine, NE (74 and 82 degrees F on March 13 and 14), and Salina, KS (81 degrees F on both March 14 and 15). On March 15, highs soared to 85 degrees F in Concordia, KS, and Lincoln, NE. Very warm weather also continued across southern Florida, where Miami noted daily-record highs on March 9, 12, and 15 (88, 87, and 89 degrees F). In contrast, wintry conditions lingered in the Northeast, where daily-record lows on March 14 included -2 degrees F in Montpelier, VT, and -15 degrees F in Massena, NY, their tenth daily-record low of the year. A day later in Maine, daily-record lows were observed in Caribou (-11 degrees F) and Houlton (-19 degrees F). Stormy weather prevailed for much of the week in the Pacific Northwest, where Seattle, WA, tallied daily-record precipitation totals on March 9 and 12 (0.83 and 0.99 inch). Elsewhere in Washington, rainfall records on March 15 included 0.54 inch in Spokane and 0.55 inch in Walla Walla. Farther south, torrential rains swept across southern California on March 15. Downtown Los Angeles' 4.10-inch rainfall was their second-highest daily total on record in March behind 5.88 inches on March 2, 1938. The daily rainfall also exceeded Los Angeles' normal March rainfall of 3.14 inches and nearly equaled the city's record-low total of 4.42 inches set during the July 2001 - June 2002 water year. Meanwhile in the southern Atlantic region, March 1-17 rainfall totaled 7.21 inches in Alma, GA, and 10.19 inches (472 percent of normal) in Jacksonville, FL. Mostly dry, cold weather prevailed in Alaska, where temperatures across the eastern half of the State generally averaged 6 to 18 degrees F below normal. Valdez, AK, noted four consecutive daily-record lows (11, 4, 2, and 5 degrees F) from March 11-14. By week's end, however, daily-record warmth returned to southeastern Alaska, where Petersburg's high (54 degrees F on March 15) came just 4 days after a daily-record low of 9 degrees F. Meanwhile, only isolated showers dampened Hawaii, although rainfall became a little heavier and more widespread toward week's end. On March 15-16, 24-hour totals included 1.23 inches in Hana, Maui, and Wainiha, Kauai. National Agricultural Summary March 10 - 16, 2003 Seasonal rainfall continued along the Pacific coast, while dry conditions prevailed in eastern Washington and Oregon. Across the Rocky Mountain region, pasture condition ratings were much poorer than this time last year, further emphasizing dry conditions. Warmer-than-normal weather across the central Great Plains contributed to advanced growth in wheat and pasture land. Precipitation continued across the Delta and Southeast. Mild, sunny California weather promoted vigorous growth in wheat, barley, oat, and winter forage fields. Pre-plant irrigation and herbicide treatment of corn and cotton fields continued. Fields of alfalfa for hay and seed showed strong development. Fruit and almond trees continued to bloom across the State, and trees displayed new leaves. Swelling buds and newly opened green shoots appeared in many vineyards. Navel orange and lemon harvests continued. Wet conditions slowed vegetable fieldwork in the Central Coast region. Additional rainfall late in the week proved beneficial to foothill pastures. Pasture conditions were good to excellent. Livestock were in good condition, with only minimal supplemental feeding reported. Mild weather descended on most of Texas. The State experienced highs in the 70s and 80s degrees Fahrenheit at the end of the week. The High Plains and west Texas had little or no precipitation. Mild weather allowed some producers to plant corn and sorghum. In the Rio Grande Valley, producers harvested sugarcane, citrus, greens, carrots, and cabbage. Cattle were moved from wheat pastures where wheat will be harvested for grain. Some producers irrigated wheat but sparingly due to high fuel costs. Range and pasture conditions on the plains and Trans Pecos declined quickly due to a lack of moisture. Pasture conditions in other areas of Texas improved as the sun made a welcomed appearance. Hay supplies were beginning to run short in eastern Texas due to consistent rain during the winter. Rain in Florida added moisture to soils in the northern and central peninsula and panhandle counties. Soil moisture supplies were rated short to mostly adequate. Drier conditions allowed some field preparations for corn, soybean, peanut, and cotton plantings. Sugarcane harvest in the Everglades was active. Dry conditions allowed vegetable planting and picking to proceed. Strawberry picking was slowing seasonally. In the panhandle and northern areas, pastures improved following rainfall and warmer weather. Early-season pastures grew at a rapid pace. In central and southwestern areas, range conditions declined due to drought. Statewide, cattle were in fair to good condition. Many citrus growers irrigated on a rotating basis to ensure good tree condition during the bloom cycle. The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released after 12 p.m. ET on March 25, 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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