We 1 (3-03) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 25, 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. 12 March 16 - 22, 2003 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: A major spring storm system produced heavy precipitation across the Northwest, central Rockies, central Plains, and Southeast, including heavy snow in parts of the West and central High Plains. In addition, severe thunderstorms swept across portions of the Plains, Midwest, and Southeast from March 17-20. Widespread precipitation in the West boosted high-elevation snow packs, especially in the central Rockies, but failed to significantly improve water-supply prospects. Forecasts for mostly below-normal Western runoff (spring and summer streamflows) are due to the combination of mostly below-average reservoir levels, near- to below-normal snow packs, and abnormally dry soils. On the Plains, rain and snow improved soil moisture reserves for winter wheat from Texas to southeastern Montana, although local dry pockets persisted. Rainfall was heaviest (in excess of 4 inches) in portions of south-central Kansas, while more than 2 feet of snow blanketed parts of the Colorado High Plains. In contrast, weekly temperatures averaged generally 8 to 14 degrees F above normal in the Midwest, where mostly light showers provided little or no relief from very dry conditions. Rainfall topped 1 inch in parts of the southern Corn Belt, boosting topsoil moisture in preparation for spring planting. Meanwhile in the South, frequently heavy showers slowed spring fieldwork, including initial corn, cotton, and rice planting. At least 4 inches of rain soaked areas from central Georgia to western North Carolina. Southern temperatures ranged from near normal in the western Gulf Coast region to as much as 10 degrees F above normal in Florida, where record warmth continued. Early in the week, warmth prevailed across the Plains, Midwest, and East in advance of a strong spring storm, producing at least three dozen daily-record highs. Records on March 16 included 78 degrees F in Lamoni, IA, and 81 degrees F in Hill City, KS, and Lincoln, NE. Lamoni also set a record high the following day with a high of 75 degrees F. Although mild weather prevailed thereafter in advance of the storm system, record warmth was largely confined to Florida. Miami, FL, set or tied 14 daily-record maxima during the first 22 days of the month, including highs of 90 degrees F on March 18 and 19, 89 degrees F on March 20, 91 degrees F on March 21, and 93 degrees F on March 22. In addition, Miami's high of 93 degrees F broke their monthly record of 92 degrees F, previously set on March 25, 1907, and March 22, 1977. Meanwhile, a complex and sprawling storm system produced daily-record precipitation totals on March 16 in Kalispell, MT (0.48 inch), and Las Vegas, NV (0.20 inches). A day later, a 1.39-inch rainfall in Williston, ND, represented their wettest March day on record (previously, 1.01 inches on March 15, 1996). Meanwhile, a separate disturbance sparked heavy rain in Florida, where daily-record totals for March 17 included 2.03 inches in Naples and 1.88 inches in Fort Myers. Farther west, heavy snow developed in the central Rockies and adjacent High Plains. The March 17-19 storm ended Denver's streak of below-normal monthly precipitation totals at 19 (August 2001 - February 2003), dropping 2.80 inches of liquid equivalent in the form of 31.8 inches of snow. The March 17-19 snowfall marked Denver's second-greatest storm total on record, behind 45.7 inches from December 1-6, 1913. Denver also achieved their snowiest March (33.2 inches), eclipsing the 1944 record of 32.5 inches. In the nearby Colorado Rockies, unofficial storm-total snowfall reached 87.5 inches in the Gilpin County locations of Rollinsville and Fritz Peak. Farther east, March 17-20 rainfall reached 3.52 inches in Wichita, KS, including a daily-record total of 1.63 inches on Wednesday. Elsewhere in Kansas, March 17-20 rainfall totaled 3.76 inches in Winfield and 3.50 inches in Hutchinson. Heavy rain swept into the East on March 20, producing daily-record totals in locations such as Charleston, SC (2.80 inches), Richmond, VA (2.55 inches), and Wilmington, DE (1.94 inches). Weekly rainfall totaled 5.59 inches in Macon, GA, including 4.23 inches on March 19-20. Severe thunderstorms associated with the storm system produced about three dozen tornadoes across 9 Southern and Lower Midwestern States from March 17-20. A tornado caused a fatality in Cookesville, TN, on March 19, followed the next morning by a pair of F3 tornadoes (estimated winds from 158 to 206 mph) in southern Georgia that claimed a total of six lives. Meanwhile, heavy precipitation returned to the Pacific Northwest toward week's end, resulting in daily-record rainfall totals on March 21 in locations such as Astoria, OR (2.48 inches), and Quillayute, WA (2.25 inches). Cold, mostly dry weather invaded northern, western, and interior Alaska, holding weekly temperatures 4 to 14 degrees F below normal. Some snow fell along the interface between cold air to the north and mild weather farther south, resulting in consecutive daily-record snowfall totals (2.0 and 5.8 inches on March 18 and 19) in McGrath. However, season-to-date snowfall through March 23 remained near to below normal in most Alaskan observing locations, including McGrath (76.5 inches, or 86 percent of normal), Juneau (55.7 inches, or 62 percent), and Anchorage (31.9 inches, or 51 percent). Meanwhile in Hawaii, locally heavy showers diminished early in the week. Some of the week's heaviest rain fell in Oahu's windward locations on March 16-17, when 24-hour totals included 2.34 inches at the Wilson Tunnel and 1.17 inches at the Manoa Lyon Arboretum. Unusually warm weather, including a daily-record high (85 degrees F on March 22) in Honolulu, Oahu, boosted weekly Hawaiian temperatures as much as 4 degrees F above normal. National Agricultural Summary March 17 - 23, 2003 A major storm brought needed moisture and some relief to the prolonged drought in the northern and central Rocky Mountains. Nearly all of Wyoming received above-normal precipitation. Temperatures were also above normal and began melting snow quickly. Forty-one percent of the State reported adequate to surplus topsoil moisture, 25 points higher than last month but still below the 5-year average. Subsoil moisture conditions continued below average. Range and pasture conditions remained mostly poor. In Colorado, the Front Range totaled 1 to 3 feet of snow while the Eastern Plains received 1 to 2 inches of rain. The welcomed moisture improved winter wheat condition but curtailed field activities. Pasture condition ratings were below this time last year but improved with the recent moisture. This same storm system produced much-needed rain across Kansas and Oklahoma, where soil moisture conditions improved to mostly adequate. Warm weather covered the Corn Belt, while rainfall was minimal in some areas and up to 2 inches in others. Recent California rains benefited crops, and good soil moisture contributed to strong growth in wheat, oats, barley, and winter forage. Developing fruit became visible in many stone fruit orchards while bloom continued in late varieties. New green shoots became more widespread in raisin, wine, and table grape vineyards as vines responded to periods of warm, sunny weather. Many grape growers cultivated and irrigated their vineyards. Vegetable transplanting was slowed in some areas by cool, wet weather. Harvest of a wide range of vegetables remained active. The additional rainfall benefited pastureland. Foothill pastures were in mostly good condition, and in northern California, pasture conditions were good to excellent. Livestock were in good condition. Weather in Texas varied from cool, wet, and windy conditions early in the week to warm, dry conditions at week's end. Much-needed rain fell in the plains and across central and southern locations. The rains improved harvest prospects for small grains. Small grains suffered in areas where rain was nonexistent, and irrigation remained active. Some corn producers were concerned by delays in land preparation due to previous wet spells. Land preparation and fieldwork were active for cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. Peach trees began to bloom. Warm weather allowed pasture and range conditions to improve. Supplemental feeding of livestock declined. Temperatures throughout Florida's citrus belt climbed to the 90 degrees Fahrenheit mark for the first time in 2003. Surface soil moisture was adequate as a result of recent rains. The bloom cycle is about complete as most trees continued petal drop. Harvest of Valencia oranges and white and colored grapefruit increased. Vegetable harvest remained active, with strawberry harvest slowed by rains. The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released after 12 p.m. ET on April 1, 2003. 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