We 1 (3-04) b Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 9, 2004, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Brian T. Young at (202) 720-7621, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary Volume 91, No. 10 February 29 - March 6, 2004 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: Unsettled weather prevailed nearly nationwide under the influence of a pair of dynamic, slow-moving storm systems. In the West, highly beneficial snowfall blanketed the mountains of the Southwest and the Intermountain region, providing limited drought relief and improving previously bleak spring and summer streamflow prospects. Weekly temperatures averaged more than 10 degrees F below normal in parts of the Intermountain West. Much-needed moisture also dampened winter wheat areas on the Plains, although only light precipitation fell on the northern and central High Plains. Winter wheat broke dormancy as far north as the southeastern half of Kansas, while the recent turn toward wet weather continued to favor wheat development on the southern Plains. Farther east, warm, dry weather in Deep South Texas and the southern Atlantic region promoted fieldwork and the development of pastures and winter grains. Elsewhere in the South, including the Delta, rainy weather slowed fieldwork but boosted soil moisture reserves in preparation for spring planting. Widespread precipitation also fell across the Midwest, maintaining adequate to locally excessive soil moisture across the southern and eastern Corn Belt and reducing long-term precipitation deficits in the upper Mississippi Valley. Despite some wet snow across the Nation's northern tier, weekly temperatures ranged from 8 to 16 degrees F above normal in most areas from the Mississippi River eastward to the Atlantic Coast. Early in the week, heavy snow blanketed the north-central United States. February 28 - March 1 snowfall totaled 12.8 inches in Lander, WY, and 13.2 inches in Rapid City, SD. Elsewhere in South Dakota, consecutive daily-record precipitation totals were noted in locations such as Timber Lake (1.02 inches on February 29 - March 1) and Kennebec (0.90 inch). Meanwhile, record warmth overspread the South and East, resulting in more than two dozen daily-record highs. On March 2, daily records in New England included 66 degrees F in Boston, MA, and 64 degrees F in Hartford, CT. Two days later, high soared to daily-record levels in locations such as Charleston, SC, and Norfolk, VA (both 83 degrees F). Toward week's end, record highs were also established in locations such as Pittsburgh, PA (78 degrees F on March 5), and Mobile, AL (83 degrees F on March 6). In contrast, chilly conditions helped to set or tie daily-record lows on February 29 in several Western locations, including Show Low, AZ (20 degrees F), and Redding, CA (34 degrees F). Widespread precipitation returned to the West in early March, resulting in a daily-record total (1.21 inches on March 1) in Reno, NV. It was also Reno's highest daily total on record during March (previously, 1.09 inches on March 10, 1995), and marked only the city's 25th observance of daily rainfall in excess of 1 inch in the last 67 years. Farther east, heavy rainfall preceded the season's first widespread severe weather outbreak. On March 3, daily-record rainfall totals included 2.63 inches in Springfield, MO, and 2.30 inches in Tulsa, OK. A day later, severe thunderstorms spawned about two dozen tornadoes from Texas to Arkansas. At least one tornado struck Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, ending the State's longest spell without a tornado at 292 days (May 17, 2003 - March 3, 2004). After midweek, heavy precipitation shifted into the Great Lakes region, while snow lingered across the Southwest. On March 4, Wichita, KS (2.26 inches) netted a daily-record total, followed the next day by record amounts in locations such as Marquette, MI (1.86 inches), and Green Bay, WI (1.08 inches). Wet snow on March 5 in the Great Lakes region included 6.0 inches in Rhinelander, WI, and 14.9 inches in Marquette. Meanwhile, March 2-5 snowfall in southern Arizona totaled 22 inches on Mt. Lemmon, near Tucson. Elsewhere, gusty winds swept across parts of the Midwest and Northeast on March 5-6, while strong downslope winds developed along the front range of the Rockies. On March 5, peak gusts included 59 m.p.h. in Detroit, MI, and Mansfield, OH. Farther west, late-week gusts were clocked to 100 m.p.h. in Montana's Logan Pass and near Ward, Boulder County, CO. Cooler air overspread Alaska late in the week, ending a spell of mild weather that lifted weekly temperatures as much as 16 degrees F above normal across the western part of the State. King Salmon posted a daily-record high of 44 degrees F on February 29. Elsewhere in western Alaska, Kotzebue received enough late-February snow to boost its season-to-date total to 84.8 inches, breaking its 1990-91 record of 83.2 inches. Dry weather prevailed during the first 7 days of March across the northern half of Alaska, but scattered rain and snow showers fell farther south. March 1-7 totals included 3.01 inches (161 percent of normal) on Annette Island and 0.42 inch (247 percent) in Anchorage, including 5.7 inches of snow. Meanwhile, more typical conditions returned to Hawaii, following late-February downpours. Nevertheless, warm weather (temperatures 1 to 3 degrees F above normal) accompanied locally heavy rainfall. On the Big Island, Hilo posted a daily record-tying high of 88 degrees F on March 1. Showers were especially heavy across western Hawaii, including Kauai, on March 1-2 and 4-5. On March 1-2, 24-hour totals on Kauai included 10.73 inches in Kokee, 4.51 inches in Wainiha, and 3.36 inches in Hanalei. Later in the week, March 4-5 rainfall totaled 4.89 inches in Wainiha and 2.02 inches in Hanalei. National Agricultural Summary March 1 - 7, 2004 Highlights: Temperatures were above normal across the eastern half of the Nation, with most areas east of the Great Plains exceeding normal temperatures by over 9 degrees Fahrenheit. From the High Plains westward, temperatures were below normal, though rarely by more than 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Moderate precipitation fell across the western and central Corn Belt and Ohio Valley, improving moisture conditions but causing some flooding. Moderate to heavy rainfall covered the southern and central Great Plains, where moisture was needed for small grains. Precipitation was lighter in the northern Great Plains but still improved over previous weeks. Light rain fell along the northern and middle Atlantic Coast, but the southern Atlantic Coast States remained mostly dry. Interior parts of the Southeast and Mississippi Delta received moderate to heavy rainfall. Precipitation was variable across the Rocky Mountains and the Intermountain Region, with some areas receiving no measurable rainfall and others receiving over 2 inches. Moderate precipitation blanketed coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest, and light rain fell across most of California. In Florida, corn planting was active, as was planting and harvesting of several vegetable crops, prompted by warm, dry conditions. Citrus growers harvested several varieties. Fields were drying across most of Georgia, allowing producers to fertilize small grains and pastures where needed. However, wet fields were still a problem in some areas. Recent rains across most of Texas slowed fieldwork, causing corn, cotton, and sorghum planting to fall farther behind. However, winter wheat was recovering nicely with the additional moisture, even in fields where the crop was previously considered too far gone. In California, recent rains promoted vigorous growth in small grains and improved their condition, while sugarbeets showed steady growth. However wet fields hindered field preparation for summer crops and slowed planting and harvesting of vegetables. Arizona growers harvested a variety of vegetable and citrus crops. The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released after 12 p.m. ET on March 16, 2004. 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